“She who only drinks beer wants the whiskey?” Sophie raised an eyebrow. “You won’t appreciate it. Besides, if the hottie wants female company, it’s going to be me.” She ignored their disapproving expressions. “Having sex with him isn’t going to compromise my morals. I won’t marry the guy. He looks like he could show a girl a good time, that’s all.”

Sophie took the drink from Davy and sipped, her eyes meeting Elijah’s over the brim. She waggled her eyebrows.

“Please, Soph,” Avery groaned. “Have some self-respect.”

Aria watched Elijah watch Sophie. She thought maybe his lips twitched up at the corners in the faintest hint of amusement. Only for a moment. Then cold detachment returned. “He’s so arrogant,” she muttered. And so gorgeous.

“So hot,” Sophie sighed, echoing Aria’s thoughts.

“Aren’t you and Evan seeing each other at the moment?” Aria asked, poking Sophie’s shoulder.

“We’re having time out.”

“Thank god,” Avery exclaimed. “Don’t go back there, Soph. That guy is scum.”

Evan Wright was her on-again off-again boyfriend. He was a solicitor, and, in Aria’s opinion, not good enough to lick the shoes on Sophie’s feet. But there was no telling Sophie that. Wanting to hold on to their friendship, Aria tolerated Evan in the hope that her friend would come to her senses. Unfortunately, Avery wasn’t as understanding, and disparaged Evan at every opportunity.

The man was handsome, in a smooth, lawyerly way, and as wealthy as they came in Itirangi. He’d also had a string of pretty secretaries who’d made cow eyes at him. And Sophie—poor, sweet Sophie—believed he’d never laid a hand on any of them. Their friend was, quite simply, deluded.

“Oh, leave it be, Avery,” Aria said, receiving a dark look in return. “Let’s play pool.”

The others agreed, eager to smooth over the awkward moment. Aria collected the balls and cue sticks from Davy, shrugging when he winked at her—he knew she was awful at pool. Despite her best efforts, she often knocked the ball off the table or missed the shot completely. It was common knowledge that Aria had no hand-eye coordination, and while most other people would be embarrassed, she was so used to her clumsiness that it didn’t really bother her anymore.

Elijah drank his second beer and kept an eye on Aria Simons and her friends. After the small one had accepted his drink, they’d completely dismissed him. He wasn’t sure whether to be irritated or amused. Being ignored was a new experience for him, although ‘ignoring’ would imply a certain degree of awareness. It seemed more likely they’d forgotten his existence altogether. Eli checked the time, later than he’d thought. He really ought to head to the villa and unpack, but something kept him glued where he was.