‘For what?’
‘For still caring what happens to me even though you can’t stand working for me any longer.’
‘Riley, tell me.’
‘Fine. We finished recording everything we needed, so I’m free for a few weeks to do as I wish with my lovely bride.’
Relief flooded through her. ‘Right.’
He didn’t speak for a moment. ‘And as far as Erin goes, you can reassure Callum that I do love her. I know us getting married has come out of the blue, but we had a long weekend when I wasn’t needed for filming on the last Monday of the shoot, so we flew to Vegas for some fun and ended up marrying there.’
‘Ah, I see, so it was a flying visit then?’
‘As you probably know, the wrap party was held here, so we’re on the island and plan to have a honeymoon as soon as Erin has faced her family.’
Feeling slightly calmer, Tasha was relieved she had something to pass on to Callum. ‘I’ll let them know I’ve spoken to you and what you’ve said.’
‘Thanks. I know Erin is nervous about their reaction, especially her mother’s. She mentioned having quite a few missed calls over the past few hours, so this will make her feel a bit better.’
‘I’m glad.’ She thought about how frustrated Callum said his mother had been when she’d called him about the photos. ‘Maybe suggest she give her mum a quick call anyway, just to reassure her.’
‘Will do. And Tasha?’
‘Yes?’
‘You do know I didn’t mean it when I said it was too late, and that you can come back and work for me any time, don’t you?’
She sighed, wishing it was that easy. ‘Thanks, Riley, but I think we both know that’s probably not going to happen.’
50
CALLUM
The following morning, Callum opened his eyes and smiled. The pair of them had forgotten all about Riley and Erin’s shock wedding as soon as they fell into bed.
He realised it would soon be time for Tasha to fly to England. His mood dipped. Needing to hold her, he went to put his arm around Tasha, but instead of his skin connecting with hers his hand met a cool pillow. He opened his eyes to see whether she was still in the bedroom somewhere but she wasn’t there. He stilled, listening and hoping to hear her. When he didn’t hear anything, Callum threw back the sheet and went to get out of bed just as Tasha appeared at the bedroom door holding a tray.
‘Oh, you’re up already.’
Seeing she also had a cafetière and cups on the tray, he didn’t like to think of her holding the heavy tray for longer than necessary.
‘I can get back in, if you like, or,’ he said, thinking how much cooler it would be to sit on the balcony where there might be a slight sea breeze, ‘we could enjoy this outside.’
‘Good idea.’ She turned on her heels and went towards the living room.
Callum slipped on underwear and, grabbing a T-shirt, quickly followed her. She stopped in front of the small sliding door and waited for him to open it, then stepped outside and lowered the tray to the table.
He put on his T-shirt and sat opposite her, wishing she didn’t have to leave. ‘Shall I pour?’
She nodded. ‘Please.’
He handed her a cup of coffee and noticed the plate of fresh pastries from the French bakery down the road. ‘You’ve been out.’
‘I thought we deserved a treat.’
‘What a lovely idea.’ He waited for her to take an almond croissant then took a plain one and put it on his plate. ‘The baker and his assistant are both French and as far as I’m concerned these are the best on the island.’
He tore one of the ends from the croissant and dabbed a small amount of the strawberry jam Tasha had placed next to a small butter dish his mother had insisted he might one day need.
