“We’ve already gone some way to getting Dan’s public image back on track,” Libby added, “and I can apply for all sorts of partner programs now, which will hopefully mean increased sponsorship and revenue for my platforms.”
“That’s amazing, Libby,” Mum gushed back.“We can’t thank you enough.”The worry that had clouded his mother’s eyes for months had gone, and Malek didn’t seem to be standing on guard, ready to jump in and protect her against her miserable son like he usually was.“Femi and Gabi can’t wait to meet you,” Mum told Libby.“Please say you’ll join us for our Christmas Day call.”
“Oh, thank you, but that’s your personal time with—”
“Libby, please.Everyone would love to meet you and Karim,” Mum insisted.
Dan stifled a grimace.He had no problem with Libby joining the call at all—and he was excited to see Femi and Gabi and their families.But his nosy sisters would grill him even more after they’d met Libby.Ever since he’d texted them his new number, they’d been bombarding him with messages about her—especially after they’d checked out her website and past videos.
She’s very attractive…
Their sticky beaks in his face was the last thing he wanted, so he hadn’t engaged with their digging.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d love to meet them too,” Libby said.“You can use my laptop for the call rather than your phone.It’s a bigger screen, so you’ll see everyone better.”
“That’s very kind of you.”Mum glanced up at Dan with a glint of approval.
He swiftly moved the conversation back to his and Libby’s work.
“Our Part One video goes live in five days,” Dan added.As they were ten hours behind home here, he and Libby had agreed to post the first part late the night before Cook Islands time, so there was a high chance it would hit the early morning news in the UK.
“We’ve still got so much work to do,” Libby said.“We’ve almost finished editing Part Two, but there’s still work to do on Parts Three and Four, and as for Part Five…”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”Dan had still to decide on what he’d say on Part Five.Libby had given him a list of questions to focus him—Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?What do you want to achieve?What’s the next gold for Daniel Jones?—but his future was a scary blank canvas, and he was wary about smudging it with promises he couldn’t keep.
“Karim and I have a flight to Sydney in a couple of weeks,” Libby continued, “but I’m thinking of extending my visa here so we can stay another month.
“Wait, what?You can do that?”Dan asked.
“Sure.I just have to apply at the immigration office in Avarua.”
Possibilities raced through his mind.Going back home in two weeks hadn’t appealed to him at all, and he’d also been wondering how they’d get all their work done before they had to leave.They hadn’t even edited half the content they’d shot on Atiu, and Part Five was nonexistent.
“You could also extend your visa, Danny.”
Mum’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Well, I… I don’t want to leave the Cook Islands in two weeks,” he told Libby.
“Neither do I,” she said, raising her gaze to his.Her bottom lip caught between her teeth.“I…um…might need your help.”
Hell, yeah.
“I could help you out a lot if I stayed,” he said, trying to keep his voice neutral, despite the fire in his pants.
“I’d like that very much.”Her voice was prim and proper, and fuck did it turn him on even more.
“This is perfect!”Mum clapped her hands, an instant cold shower.“And look, the waiters are calling us over.Our drinks are ready.Let’s start celebrating with a toast to the sunset.”
“Great idea,” Dan said, though he’d rather take Libby back to the hut to begin on some of the ways he could help her out.
And the look Libby gave him over her shoulder said she felt the same way.
Theyallorderedtherisotto with grilled fish and huge portions ofrukauviti, the Cook Islands spinach, which Dan couldn’t get enough of.He sat next to Karim’s highchair—the little kid was still amusingly obsessed with Spider Hand—and Libby sat on the other side, making sure half of Karim’s risotto didn’t end up on his lap.Every now and then, she’d bend to pick up Karim’s napkin or spoon off the floor, and Dan would get an eyeful of her breasts.
Did she know he was staring every time?Was she teasing him?
The thought had him shifting in his seat, his blood pumping to places that had felt neglected for far too long.Was that how Libby was feeling too?
