“Definitely.”

“Good.” He flicks out his napkin and places it on his lap. “Don’t tell him, but I don’t know the first thing about wine. I looked up their wine menu when I was back in my room and googled the different brands. Everything I just said came straight off a website.”

I snort back laughter. “You mean you’re not really a wine connoisseur?”

“Well, I can tell the difference between red and white, but that’s about as far as it goes.”

“I feel so betrayed.”

“I’m sorry.” He adopts an abandoned-puppy look. “I just wanted to appear knowledgeable.”

“I’m only kidding. I think it’s funny. And very sweet that you went to all that effort just to impress Craig.”

He gives me an intense look. “I wasn’t trying to impress Craig.”

I swallow hard and pick up the wine to take a sip. It doesn’t taste any different from the cheap stuff Kate buys.

“Do you like it?” James asks.

“It’s OK. To be honest, all wines taste pretty much the same to me.” I take another sip.

“At ninety-six dollars a bottle, I would expect it to taste like gold.”

I nearly spit out my mouthful but manage to swallow it instead, my eyes watering. “Sorry, how much?”

“Ninety-six dollars a bottle.”

“Are you serious?” I look at my glass incredulously. “I’ve had cars cost less than that.”

“You have?”

“No, of course not. But that’s a ridiculous amount of money to pay. Just crazy.”

“Oh, I agree, one hundred percent.”

I hadn’t given a thought until now about how much this weekend must be costing him. But if a bottle of wine costs almost a hundred dollars, I shudder to think how much the meal or even the room must be costing.

“Just so we’re clear,” I say, “I want to pay for half. Of everything, the accommodation, helicopter ride. Everything.”

He picks up his own glass to take a sip. “Just so we’re clear,” he says after he swallows, “no.”

“No?”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“No, you’re not paying for anything. You are my guest. I invited you here.”

“But this place must be costing you a fortune. I can’t let you spend so much money on me.”

He shrugs. “I got mates’ rates, because of the article.”

I narrow my eyes, unable to be sure whether he’s telling the truth or not.

He puts his glass down and leans forward to look at me earnestly.

“I don’t want you to worry about it. In fact, I don’t want you to give money a second thought. Which is my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned the price of the wine.”

“But—”

“No,” he interrupts. “No buts. Ava, I wanted to do this for you. Please don’t worry about anything. I just want you to enjoy it.”

I exhale softly. It’s clear he is not going to change his mind.

He senses my acceptance and smiles. “Thank you.”

“OK. I’ll drop the subject of money. On one condition.”