Page 52

‘To be clear, I mean dick. I’m saying she eats a lot of—’

‘I’ve got it!’ Caleb laughed, holding up his hands.

When Caleb returned to the beach after changing, the group was gathered in front of the ocean in various poses, the surfboards stuck into the sand on either side of them. Emma was doing a low lunge in front of them, as she tried to get the right angle with the phone she was using.

‘Come on, Caleb. Join us!’ shouted Lucas.

‘I can take it,’ Caleb offered, noticing – probably for the first time – how often Emma was sidelined in all areas of Lucas’s life. Knowing what he knew now only made it ten times worse.

Emma shook her head. ‘Hannah will want you in it. Hurry up, my legs are beginning to cramp, and I still haven’t eaten.’

Caleb jogged over to the group, where Hannah shifted to the side to make room for him, a slight flush high on her pale cheeks, despite the permanent smile etched on her face. He could have sworn she was embarrassed. Speaking through gritted teeth she said, ‘I mentioned my Instagram account and they insisted.’

Caleb smiled softly down at her, and the way she was contorting her body uncomfortably. ‘Are you living your best life yet?’

‘Almost,’ she replied, and it sounded a bit like a hiss coming from her fixed smile.

‘There!’ declared Emma, wincing as she straightened up. ‘I got a couple.’

‘Can you take a couple with mine?’ asked Bianca, already running over to Emma waving her phone.

Emma winced but nodded, and a few minutes later, after a bit of direction from Bianca, the photos were taken, and they were lying back on their loungers with a sigh of relief.

Caleb was working through his meal, glad to have something with a little flavour after weeks of bland food. There was something to be said for having a personal chef on site. Hannah was sat cross-legged on the chair beside him, her plate untouched in front of her as she swiped through the pictures, adding filters and adjusting the levels.

‘You’re really clever with all of that,’ Caleb said, leaning over. She jumped a little as his shadow fell over her, and he immediately retreated, worried to have startled her. Perhaps their new relationship was more fragile than he’d realised?

‘It’s only a hobby.’

Emma was also flipping through her tablet. ‘I’ve followed you. She’s got nearly five thousand followers – that’s pretty good going.’

Caleb gulped; he couldn’t imagine having that many friends, let alone adoring followers! Was she as much of a celebrity as Bianca, and he hadn’t realised because he was so dumb when it came to that sort of thing? ‘Wow, five thousand!’

Hannah chuckled. ‘It’s not as good as it sounds. Most of them are because I knew another influencer for a while and was tagged in a lot of his posts.’ She shifted slightly, as if uncomfortable with the admission.

‘Pat Down Under?’ he asked quietly.

She nodded. ‘Most people forget they follow you. I only get a few likes these days, if anything my numbers are going down.’ She frowned, as if that thought made her unhappy.

‘I didn’t realise you were an influencer.’

Hannah gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘God, no! An actual influencer has hundreds of thousands of followers! I just like taking a few nice photos. My account is all about moving to Australia, and a lot of nurses follow my account because I occasionally post advice on how to move out here. You know, paperwork wise.’ She paused, before turning slightly. ‘Have you thought any more about doing socials – to help with your work?’

Caleb shook his head and forked up a large mouthful of food. ‘I get plenty of work.’ He took the bite, convinced that would be the end of it.

‘You should have a presence at least,’ said Lucas. ‘The number of times I’ve recommended you, and then nothing’s come of it – probably because they can’t find you online.’

‘You need a better website, too,’ added Emma sagely.

‘What for?’ Caleb mumbled through his mouthful of food before pointing at Lucas. ‘I get enough work from him alone.’

Lucas frowned. ‘Future-proofing.’

Caleb shook his head with a dismissive chuckle. What was the point of protecting a future you had no control over? ‘I have insurance.’

Hannah put down her phone and shuffled a little closer. He couldn’t deny he liked her being closer, he was tempted to reach out and place a possessive hand on her thigh, but thought it might be too soon. He was surprised to see her expression was sombre. ‘You should start working as a stunt co-ordinator. It’s ridiculous how things are with Jackson. I’ve been watching you in rehearsals. Most of the time you have to rework and re-block everything he’s put forward.’

‘Inexperience. He’ll get into the swing of it eventually,’ he said, shoving a large bite of grilled chicken and couscous into his mouth and hoping that would be the end of it.