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Isla laughed then leaned back, tipping her face up. “Ah, this is the life.”

Nina laughed. “Absolutely.”

“I suppose this is what happens if you have friends in high places, like Cam,” Isla said.

Nina rested her head. “Or just what happens when you’re a famous multi-millionaire.” She smiled at Isla. “That’ll be you one day.”

Isla stayed quiet.

Nina watched her for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

Isla bit her thumbnail, hesitating. “Maybe I don’t want to be a famous multi-millionaire.”

Nina nodded, giving her time to elaborate. She sensed they were on the verge of a breakthrough.

Isla sighed. “Or maybe I don’t have what it takes to make it that far.”

Nina frowned. “What makes you say that?”

Isla swallowed. “It’s just…I’ve been thinking lately…” She stopped speaking as she welled up and put her head in her hands.

Nina shifted over and gave her a hug. “Please tell me. I’ve been really worried about you.”

“I’m sorry,” Isla said through her tears.

“You don’t need to be sorry. Just let me in,” Nina said, pulling her in tight. “I’m here for you. Literally. That’s why I’m on this island, not for a free holiday.” She smiled. “Though maybe that’s the secondary reason.”

Isla gave a small laugh against Nina’s shoulder. “I want to tell you. I just don’t know where to start. I haven’t felt like myself for a while and I know I’ve been acting weird and unreasonable.”

Nina gave her a squeeze. “Take your time.”

“Okay,” Isla said slowly. She took a deep breath and then nibbled her thumbnail again. “I think…what it boils down to is that I thought this was all I ever wanted. But I’m getting more than I bargained for.”

“In what way?” Nina asked.

Isla lifted her head to meet her eye. “I feel baseless, like I haven’t got a home. There’s so much travel. I’m losing touch with my friends and family.”

Nina studied her. “Is that why you asked me out here?”

Isla nodded. “I wanted to help you too, after the redundancy. But that was more a catalyst than the reason I thought of it.”

Nina tucked a stray strand of hair behind Isla’s ear. “I’m sorry we haven’t talked—before I came out or since I’ve been here.”

Isla shook her head. “It’s my fault. I was feeling all fragile—so I overreacted about Ash. I wanted to talk to you, but it was like stuff kept getting in the way. Then at Cam’s residency when I waved you over from the podium, I was planning on asking you if we could leave early to chat. But you just went off with her instead.” She took a breath. “I know that I acted like a child. We’re old enough not to get possessive over friends. I just feel so weird and paranoid about everything.”

“I’m so sorry. It’s my fault,” Nina said. “I should’ve realised you needed me. I knew something wasn’t right, but it was like events kept stopping us from talking properly.” She grimaced. “Like me getting leathered the minute I got here.”

Isla laughed. “I reckon that was my doing. I plied you with alcohol and didn’t give you a chance to eat.”

Nina smiled. She touched Isla’s arm. “I didn’t realise you were gesturing me over from that podium. I thought you were just having fun and waving.” She sighed. “I wanted some time together, but I’ve been aware of not wanting to cramp your style since I arrived because I’m a total stick in the mud compared to this scene.”

Isla shook her head. “No, you’re not. I love that you’re here.” She fiddled with the hem of her skirt.

Nina studied her. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

Isla looked at her. Her voiced cracked. “I can’t handle the stuff people say about me.”

An icy hand gripped Nina’s heart as she remembered the things she’d read online. “On social media?”