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Caleb grinned. ‘A mirrored ceiling above the bed? Yes, yes, it is.’

‘Christ!’

Caleb tilted his head thoughtfully. ‘I don’t think he’d approve of this room, but you never know. The bathroom is designed like Versailles, apparently. I’ve never seen Versailles so I can’t be sure if it’s one hundred per cent accurate.’

‘Oh, I’m sure it is,’ she said dryly, and they both laughed. ‘The last owner really had more money than sense. I mean, we suspected, but it’s something else seeing it up close and personal.’

He ushered her out. ‘Come on, I need the coffee. I couldn’t sleep staring at myself all night. Every time I moved, I gave myself a heart attack.’

They walked into the large kitchen and dining space with its long balcony. Hannah sighed loudly. ‘Oh, but look at that view. I have zero sympathy for you now. You lucky bastard. And it’s huge! Is it a two-bed?’

‘Three.’

‘Nope, no sympathy whatsoever! You can scrub your own fleur-de-lis off.’

Caleb chuckled, grabbing two plates from a brand-new box of crockery on the counter. ‘Come on, let’s enjoy the one bit of this apartment that isn’t an eyesore.’

The balcony seating was made up of some rusty wrought-iron chairs and tables. Caleb chucked a couple of the purple scatter cushions from the lounge on them. They were in such a sad state she was tempted to throw them out straight after breakfast. But she supposed sitting on them was preferable to getting rust on her leathers.

Hannah eyed the lemon-coloured earthenware of Caleb’s plates. ‘Is that the same set that you bought me?’

Caleb nodded. ‘I like it, don’t you?’

She smiled. ‘It’s lovely. Sorry, your coffee is probably cold by now. I panic ordered and didn’t think about the fact it would end up cold after the drive.’

He took a tentative sip and shrugged. ‘It’s still warm. Tastes okay. I don’t have a coffee machine yet, so I’m glad you got me one. What did you get for breakfast?’ he asked curiously, looking at the bag of treats.

‘Bagels – our usual “going on an adventure” breakfast.’

‘Perfect!’ Caleb pulled out the egg and bacon bagel and popped it onto his sunshine plate. Then he put the smoked salmon and cream cheese on the other and handed it to her.

She took a sip of her coffee. ‘Those look half-dead,’ she said, gesturing towards the potted plants.

‘That’s being generous,’ mused Caleb thoughtfully. ‘I don’t think anyone has lived in here for over a year. It was a Hollywood actor who used it whenever he was filming over here. Apparently, he’s had a messy divorce, and as this was his secret party palace, his wife was eager to take it in the divorce and sell it.’

‘Gross! But good for you,’ said Hannah, taking a long sip of her coffee – it tasted like heaven. ‘Mmmmh. Yum! That’s better.’

Caleb gave her thigh a squeeze, and they began to eat breakfast together, talking through bites. ‘Now that the Atlantis Forever film is a wrap. I’ll be able to renovate in my downtime before the next job. I’m going to have to do most of the decorating myself, what with the business and this place draining my funds.’

Caleb had set up as a stunt co-ordinator, but he’d also started a business with a team of stunt performers that went out to do shows across the country. Motorcycle and car stunts usually, which meant he had a huge trailer filled with cars and bikes. Between his film work and the stunt performances, Caleb was always busy. He even employed Hannah as his team medic for the shows, which meant she was able to travel with him.

She’d been nervous about combining their jobs at first, but it had all worked out in the end. The fact that their relationship was still going strong after six months had proven that, and she also still worked at the studio or through the nursing agency, depending on her schedule. She loved the variety.

‘I was only joking. Zach and I can help,’ she offered.

‘Thanks, I’ll get you scrubbing fleur-de-lis off my walls in no time!’

She chuckled and then said between bites, ‘Sorry I couldn’t come over last night.’

Caleb shrugged off her apology with a cheerful smile. ‘You didn’t miss much. Paperwork signing, googling how to remove ceiling mirrors, that sort of thing. How was the bachelorette party?’

‘Really nice – the bride’s mum and sister were over from Ireland. It was really lovely. Which reminds me, we must keep the end of October completely free. Alex and Ellie are coming over for a visit, and they said they’re going to bring my parents too! Can you believe it? And my aunt and Jules are coming up to the Gold Coast too! It’s going to be a big family reunion, and I thought we could show them a bit of Australia while they’re here – well, my parents, Ellie and Alex, but maybe Jules and Aunt Sal will tag along for the hell of it.’

Caleb grinned. ‘Consider it done! I owe Alex more than a holiday after all the production advice he’s given me for the live shows. Give me the dates as soon as you know them, and we’ll clear the diary for as long as they’re here.’

Hannah squealed with a clap of her hands. ‘I can’t wait!’

Caleb wiped off his greasy fingers with his napkin and took a deep breath; his suddenly sombre expression made her nervous. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask you something.’