“Yeah, we had a permit to be there that expired. So, we’ve got a week here and then we’ll take a break for a couple of weeks while that gets sorted out. It’s ridiculous.” He yawns. He sounds so tired, and I think he’s called me before having the sleep he so desperately needs.

“Where are you now?” Where’s Gabby?

“Manila. There are a few scenes we can shoot here.”

“Okay.”

“Are you okay, Delaney?” Concerns bleeds through his tone, and it brings tears to my eyes.

“I’m not sure.”

“You’re usually talkative, but you’re so quiet.”

I wipe a tear rolling down my cheek with the palm of my hand. “Are we okay?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you couldn’t call me all week, but photos of you and Gabby Reynolds made it out of the jungle. Are you with her?” I sniff.

“What photos? She’s here with her partner. And damn it, Delaney, as much as I’d love you to be with me here, I wouldn’t want you to witness all I had to.”

I snort. “What do you mean?”

“The man oozes sexuality. And him and Gabby are real hot for each other. The air-conditioning in her trailer broke down, and I invited her to share mine while it was fixed. I couldn’t turn my head without seeing them practically having sex around the trailer.”

I clamp my lips together to avoid laughing while I wipe my cheeks again. “Really?”

“Really. If anyone’s trying to link me and Gabby Reynolds, they are way off the mark. Hell, Antonio’s enough to confuse me.”

“Well, she does share the last name of my favourite Canadian.”

Josh chuckles. “Oh, not this shit again. That’s my title.”

I laugh.

“I love you, Delaney. There’s no way I’m fucking this up for a fling. I’m living for the day when I can see you again. Which is another reason why I’m calling.”

“You didn’t just want to hear my sexy accent?”

Josh sighs. “That too. Reece has offered me his holiday home in Hawaii while we’re on break, and I know it’s late notice, but I want you to come and spend my time off with me.”

My heart seizes. Hawaii? I haven’t had a holiday since before Melly was born. Lying in the sun and relaxing sounds more like a pipe dream than reality.

“Melly has school. It’s only halfway through the term. And neither of us have passports.”

“If Amelia is in school, then maybe you could come over by yourself? Would Pania look after her?”

I blow out a breath. “I’m sure she would.”

“I’ll pay for an emergency passport, and get Mindy to book your tickets. You won’t have to do a thing other than apply for it.”

I groan. “It’s so tempting.”