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“Yeah,” Cam said slowly, “you can say that again.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry, guys, but we’ll need to do breakfast another day. Can you wait for me outside and I’ll give you a lift back to your hotel?”
“Of course,” Nina said, taking Isla’s arm and marching them out of the café onto the pavement. She took Isla’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Isla shrugged. “I don’t think I’ve got any right to be the upset one. I’ve only known Zac a few days. Cam, on the other hand…” She peered through the café window. “I wonder what he’s going to say to them?”
Nina tugged her away. “Don’t stare. It’s private.”
“Hardly,” said Isla. “Not in an eatery full of people.”
“I know, but still,” Nina said.
Isla turned to her. “This mightn’t be a bad thing, you know.”
Nina’s mouth fell open. How could she say that? “Not a bad thing? Of course, it is. Did you see poor Cam’s face? He was devastated.”
“He was surprised, granted,” Isla said. “But devastated? I’m not sure. I get the feeling those two were on their out anyway.”
“You don’t know that,” Nina said. “They seemed really sweet together.”
“He’s sweet on someone else, if you ask me,” said Isla, raising her eyebrows at Nina.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” said Nina. “He’s not interested in me. We’re just friends. I’m definitely not his type.”
“Yeah, you are,” said Isla.
Nina opened her mouth to shoot Isla down but then closed it when Cam emerged from the doorway. He put his sunglasses on.
Nina touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “Come on. I’ll give you guys a lift.”
“Are you sure?” Nina said.
He took his car keys from his pocket. “Absolutely.”
“Actually,” Isla said, getting out her phone, “I’m going to call a cab. I want to go see Noah in the hospital.”
Nina felt bad for forgetting about poor Noah. “I can come with you?”
“No,” Isla said quickly. “You go with Cam. I’ll meet you back at the hotel.”
Nina raised her eyebrows at her and Isla gave her a hard stare then nodded her head toward the Jeep. “Go on. I’ll see you later.”
Nina waved briefly and hurried to catch Cam, who was striding his way toward the car. He must be so upset.
She climbed in next to him and he pulled away. His forehead was furrowed in concentration as he stared at the road.
Nina’s heart hammered in her chest. She didn’t know what to say. She licked her dry lips. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He glanced at her. “Yes, but not while I’m driving.”
“Do you want to come to my room once we get to the hotel?” she asked. “We can talk there.”
“Yes, please,” he said. Then he stared at the road again and Nina decided to stay silent.
She watched the scenery fly past, finding herself wondering how Ash was and feeling bad for her. In her mind, the fault all lay with Zac, after his gaslighting and emotional abuse of Ash in the past.
Before too long they arrived at the hotel and climbed out of the car. They completed the journey into the elevator in silence and Nina studied Cam’s profile as they rode to her floor. He seemed to be avoiding her gaze. Her anxiety mounted. He must be beside himself with anguish.
