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defence of her sister.
    ‘I’m suggesting Leila comes to Isla Montaña de Fuego to take a look at my jewels,’ Raffa responded quietly.
    ‘Why?’ Eva was keen to dig deeper before she let him off the hook. ‘Why does Leila need to visit your island? Can’t you bring the gems here?’
    ‘I wouldn’t presume to make a selection for Leila,’ Raffa explained smoothly, his black stare confirming this with Leila.
    ‘That’s right.’ Leila’s heart was going crazy as she played along. ‘I can’t wait to see Raffa’s collection. Everyone loves a big diamond, don’t they, Eva?’
    Britt and Eva quickly hid their ring hands under the table as Raffa added, ‘Leila sees a great future for the mining museum.’
    ‘You two have been chatting, haven’t you?’ Eva commented, relaxing back, defeated for once.
    As her sisters exchanged a look Leila wondered how long she could keep this up. Visiting Raffa’s island? As if! ‘Yes, Raffa and I have been talking,’ she confirmed blithely. ‘It’s only natural when we’ve got so much in common— The diamonds,’ she added when her sisters stared at her in disbelief.
    ‘Indeed,’ Eva murmured with amusement. ‘The diamonds. I’d almost forgotten them.’
    ‘Well, I can’t think of any other reason I’d visit the island—’ As she spoke Leila was conscious of digging an even bigger hole for herself, but somehow she couldn’t stop. ‘As soon as I slipped on the ice and Raffa caught me, I thought—what luck! This is my chance to put my business proposition to him—’
    ‘Your what?’ Britt interrupted.
    Fair enough. She’d gone too far. When were Leila Skavanga and business ever mentioned in the same sentence? Try never.
    ‘Leila made a very good pitch, actually,’ Raffa said, filling the gap. ‘Water, anyone? Sparkling...? Still...?’
    ‘Leila is brilliant at her job,’ Britt mused out loud as if she was actually convinced.
    ‘And has always seen her work as an opportunity to give a whole new generation an insight into the business that put the town on the map,’ Eva added, shooting a proud-sister look at Leila.
    Oh, no! Why were her sisters getting involved? She felt really bad now. If only they would stop being so helpful! Didn’t they realise this was all a joke? It so obviously was—
    She looked at Raffa, who was giving nothing away. But why pretend to invite her to his island? That was going a bit far, wasn’t it?
    She almost jumped out of her skin when he reached across to give her hand a reassuring squeeze, and realised she had to say something quickly to Britt and Eva or they would be completely sucked in. ‘He’s only joking about the trip—even Raffa couldn’t be such a glutton for punishment as to invite me to spend more time with him.’ She shared an amused look with Britt and Eva and saw them relax.
    ‘Well, the invitation’s on the table, Leila.’
    Her head shot round to Raffa. What? ‘An hour chatting with me isn’t punishment enough?’ she pressed, laughing to try and get him out of his predicament.
    No dice. And she got the distinct impression her sisters were holding their breath.
    ‘Not nearly long enough,’ Raffa said. ‘And in case you’re in any doubt,’ he added, saying this to everyone around the table, ‘I never joke where business is concerned.’
    Britt and Eva were transfixed, while Leila’s heart was pumping like crazy. If this was a serious offer, and it certainly seemed to be, it would be her first proper trip out of Skavanga. And with Raffa!
    As the spotlight swung away and the conversation returned to less controversial topics Raffa’s attention remained fixed on her face, leaving her to wonder if she’d survived this game of teasing, or if she was heading for a fall.
    ‘We’re going to dance,’ Britt announced. ‘Leila?’
    ‘Oh, no. I’m okay, thank you.’
    ‘Will you excuse us if we leave you two alone?’ Britt pressed, still obviously concerned for Leila.
    ‘Yes, of course,’