“This is harder than I thought it would be.”

I didn’t know why, but I let out a quiet, watery laugh. “It’s only been three days.”

“The hardest three days of my life.”

“Maybe I should go home—”

“No,” he said, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t want you to go.” His hand came to my shoulder, gripping firmly.

I dropped my eyes to the floor. “I should, um, get to bed.”

“Reya, look at me.”

I looked up, ensnared in those icy blue eyes of his again. They’d always been my undoing. “What?” I whispered.

He bit his lip, looking conflicted. “Just . . . promise me you’ll stay. If I back off, will you stay?”

I nodded. I wasn’t sure I could leave even if I wanted to anyway. “I’ll stay.”

“Thank you,” he said and gave my shoulder another squeeze.

I moved away from him and to the door, opening it and leaving before I lost my nerve. I could’ve kissed him and he would’ve let me. He could’ve kissed me and I would’ve let him.

This was all such a mess. I thought of my conversation with Karla before the trip and I knew she’d been right to be sceptical. Trev was the one thing in this world I could never, ever resist.

I’d always want him. Only him.

Even when I knew wholeheartedly that I shouldn’t.

Thirteen.

The location for Thursday’s filming was like nothing I’d ever seen before. I sat in the back of the taxi beside Neil as we approached the bizarre construction. It was like a science experiment brought to life in architecture—or an alien spacecraft—and the group were planning to scale it. I mean, how? Just . . . how? It was called the Atomium and the name was apt, because it looked like a giant atom made from steel and glass.

“How did they even get permission to do this?” I asked Neil, only a little worried. I was yet to witness Trev truly hurt himself. Sure, he’d had his fair share of smaller injuries, like sprains and fractured bones, but nothing that wouldn’t heal.

“I have no idea,” said Neil, shaking his head. “Barry always seems to have the right people in his pocket.”

And he certainly did. The cast and crew had arrived at the crack of dawn to start rehearsing. It was just after eleven and there appeared to be a crowd gathered, watching the preparations. Several tourists held up cameras and tablets to snap pictures and video.

“Can you give these to Trevor? He texted earlier to ask if I could grab them for him,” said Neil, handing me a small plastic bag. I peeked inside and found an iPod, chewing gum, mixed nuts and some hand cream. I was definitely going to rib him about the hand cream.

“Sure,” I answered, though I was still a little hesitant to be around Trev. We hadn’t exchanged a single word since last night. He and the others left early this morning, while Neil and I were knee-deep in scheduling.

We got out of the taxi and headed towards the building. The film crew looked to be setting up shots while the group took a break. I was surprised to see Leanne sitting on the hood of a car with Callum standing in front of her. She held a bottle of water out to him. When he moved to grab it she pulled it away, then she did it again, like they were playing a game. Were they flirting? Seriously, you never knew where those two stood with one another from one day to the next. Both had big smiles on, but neither noticed the female crewmember filming them. Or maybe they didn’t care. It was all a part of their contract to be recorded at any time, except in certain circumstances, like if they were in a bathroom or a bedroom.

Trev, Paul and James sat on some steps chatting when I approached. I wore a loose, flower-print top with a dipped neckline and some leggings. Trev’s gaze soaked in every detail before his attention rose to my face. A tight, searing heat circled my lungs. I held out the plastic bag.

“Neil said you asked for these,” I told him stiffly.

“Right, yeah thanks.”

I rubbed my palms on my leggings, feeling awkward. “No problem. I wouldn’t want you to have to do without your hand moisturiser. That’d be a travesty,” I said, hoping the jibe might lighten the mood between us. Paul and James chuckled while Trev’s mouth curved in a slow grin.

“Well, I know you like it when they’re soft,” he said and winked.

I flushed a deep red. I should’ve known better than to go up against him. He was pretty much immune to embarrassment, always had been.

I tried to think of a snappy comeback but came up empty. Instead I went with a sassy, “Is that all? Can I get anything else for you, sir?”

Trev smirked and tapped his cheek. “A kiss will do nicely.”

Oh, he was in a formidable mood this morning. He had that twinkle in his eye that told me so.

“I think you’ll be fine without any kisses,” I said.

Trev put on a sad face. I ignored him and pulled out my phone to check my messages. I heard him let out a long, beleaguered sigh. James, who had been discussing something with Paul, asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nobody wants to kiss me. I feel like such a frump.”

James chuckled. “Frump is the last word anyone would use to describe you, Trev.”

I shook my head and chanced a glance at him. He was smiling wickedly. “Then why haven’t I had a kiss in nearly seven months? I’m like Drew Barrymore in that movie.”

That was it. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut any longer. “You’ll live.”

Trev didn’t rise to my ire. Instead he continued his little act, casting an overly dramatic frown at James and Paul. “It’s really doing a number on my confidence.”

I scoffed. “Your confidence is perfectly healthy.”

“I just feel like buying a bucket of Ben & Jerry’s to drown my sorrows.”

“Oh God, put him out of his misery, Reya,” Paul begged. “If for no other reason than to end this monstrosity, whatever it is. I’m pretty sure I’m emotionally scarred just witnessing it.”

I shook my head. “Nope. I’m not giving him what he wants.”

Trev batted his eyelashes. “Would giving me one little kiss really be so awful? Am I that hideous?”

“Dear Lord, you’re a spoiled brat.”

He fake-gasped and brought his hand to his chest. “How can you speak to me like that?”