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“I’m fine,” Ash said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I’m just going to meet Aubrey in Ibiza Town for breakfast. That’s all.”

Cam raised his eyebrows. “A breakfast date? You don’t even do brunch because it’s too early for you.”

She shrugged. “I like to try new things, babe.” She stood and kissed the top of his head, then gave Nina a peck on the cheek. “You guys have fun, and I’ll see you later.” She waved and went back into the house.

“Bye,” Nina called after her, watching her retreat. She turned round, deliberately avoiding Cameron’s gaze. It was about time she stopped her silly fantasy. The guy was taken, and even if he wasn’t, he couldn’t be interested in someone run-of-the-mill like her. Time to get her head out of the clouds and back to normality. She glanced at him. “I’ve decided to go for Matt’s job.”

A strange expression passed over his face. “You have?”

She nodded. “It’s my best option for stability. I’m finding the uncertainty over my future too stressful.”

“Okay,” he said slowly. “And what about the American one?”

She shook her head. “I don’t even know where to begin with that. I know nothing about working visas or how to organise mine. What hoops do I need to jump through to qualify? Would it all be sorted in time for me to start the post when they need me? It’s too much.”

Cam fiddled with his coffee mug. “You could look into it, see what’s involved?”

She sighed. “I think it’s just going to be too difficult.”

“I could give you a hand,” he said. “As someone who’s made the move.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you, that’s really kind. But I think it’s time for me to face reality and get my head out of the clouds.”

He shifted along to sit next to her. “You haven’t got your head in the clouds. This is an achievable dream, not an unrealistic one.”

Nina met his gaze. There was intensity to his hazel eyes, like something had shifted. It sent her pulse soaring. She was on dangerous ground with her feelings toward him. She tried to lubricate her mouth in order to speak. “I’m going to apply for Matt’s job anyway and see if I get it.”

“It sounds pretty likely that you will,” he said softly.

She nodded. “I reckon so. I’m well qualified for it and I know a few people there.”

Cam took her hand in both of his. “I want to ask you something.”

Nina tried to stop her hand from trembling. Why did he affect her so much when it was just a silly crush? Isn’t it?

The sound of someone running through the house caught her attention. Was it Ash coming back?

Isla came at full pelt through the kitchen out onto the terrace, her face streaked with tears. Nina stood just in time for Isla to crash into her arms. She held her tightly. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m a fucking idiot,” Isla said.

Nina’s heart sank. “Why?” Though she could guess who was at the root of Isla’s anguish.

“Zac,” said Isla, confirming Nina’s suspicions.

Cam stood and gestured for Isla to take a seat. “I’ll get some fresh coffee.” He lifted the pot and went into the kitchen.

Isla sat with Nina beside her. She brushed the tears from Isla’s cheeks. “What happened?”

Isla shook her head. “He’s seeing someone else. This morning he seemed keen for me to leave, then I caught him on the phone to another woman, making plans to meet her for breakfast.”

“Maybe there was nothing romantic going on?” Nina said, not believing it herself.

“No,” Isla said. “It definitely was. I caught him on the phone, and he acted all cagey, so I came out and asked him and he admitted it. Then he dumped me.”

Nina nodded, not knowing what to say. Clearly it would be inappropriate to express how unsurprised she was.

Cameron came back out and poured Isla a coffee. He handed her a box of tissues and she smiled and thanked him.