Page 48

“Cool,” Nina said, keeping her voice even.

Isla gave her a kiss on the cheek then waved at Cam as she let herself out of the studio.

Nina sighed and sat heavily on the sofa, tearing open a bag of pretzels and stuffing a handful into her mouth. Cameron glanced over his shoulder, then came over to sit next to her. She passed him the bag and a beer then lifted another bag of snacks and opened them.

He raised his eyebrow. “Something tells me you’re trying to eat your feelings.”

She laughed. “Yeah. Murderous feelings.”

Cam nodded. “Zac?” He put a handful of pretzels into his mouth.

“Exactly,” Nina said, pulling the ring on her can of beer and taking a slug.

“Try not to worry,” Cam said, sipping his beer. “Isla’s switched on. She’ll figure him out soon enough.”

“I hope so,” Nina said. She took another drink. “Hey, listen… I don’t want to cramp your style if you need to get on with finishing the track. I should get out of your hair.”

“No,” he said quickly, then paused. “I mean… I do want to finish it because I’m on a roll, but I’d like it if you stayed.” He met her eye. “If that’s okay. I know it’s boring sitting watching the process.”

She shook her head. “It’s not boring at all. I find it intriguing.”

A smile spread over his face. “You do?”

“Of course. All those cool buttons and dials?” She peered at the decks. “By the way, which one’s the self-destruct button?”

Cam laughed. “That’s classified.” He leaned back, his shoulder brushing hers and sending a spike of adrenaline through her. He took a long drink then glanced at her. “Usually I prefer working alone at this stage, but…” He paused.

Nina frowned, worried that he really did want to be alone and was just being polite. “But what?”

He swallowed. “I like having you around.” He fiddled with the ring pull on his can. “I feel like you inspire me.”

A warm feeling pooled in her veins, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He met her gaze and her mouth went dry. She took a sip of beer. “That’s the loveliest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”

He smiled and colour rose in his cheeks. He glanced away and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s true.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Cam opened his mouth as if he was going to say more, but then his phone buzzed and he lifted it. His voice sounded strained. “Ash is on her way home. She says she’s going straight to bed.”

Nina nodded, feeling guilty about quickly she’d forgotten poor Ash again. “She’s still off colour.”

“Yeah,” Cam said. “Hopefully, she’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Nina frowned, remembering their other incapacitated friend. “I hope Noah is better too.”

Cam’s nodded. “I think he might get discharged soon.”

“Fingers crossed,” Nina said.

Cameron finished his drink. “Okay, I’ll get back to it.” He glanced at her. “Just give me a nudge if you need anything or you get bored.”

She smiled. “Will do. But don’t worry… I’ve got my audiobook to keep me company.”

Nina watched him get back to work, fascinated by the process, even though she had no clue what he was doing. She placed her ear buds in and started her audiobook, sipping at her beer and trying to kid herself that what she felt for Cameron was merely lust. She could count on one hand the number of days she’d known him, and yet she had a connection to him as though they’d been friends for years. It was especially strange when they’d gotten off on the wrong foot.

She settled back into the sofa, a wave of sleepiness engulfing her. The day in the sun and the recent stress over the song was catching up with her. With a spike of anxiety, she realised that the track getting completed meant that her time on the island was due to end and that, in turn, meant she’d no longer be in Cameron’s presence. A wave of nausea washed over her. What’s wrong with me? So what if I don’t see him again? I didn’t even know him until this week.

Nina pushed those thoughts away and watched Cam work. He had that glow about him again and it made her happy to see it. She settled into the soft sofa cushions, letting the silky-voiced book narrator soothe her eyes shut.