Chapter One

      ‘This is where we’re staying?’

      Ciara Bree gaped for so long her eyes watered and stung. When they had first talked about a round the world trip, back when they had spent those endless days in their college library at Oxford, she’d never expected this.

      Glamping in some fancy static caravan rigged out for the three of them, yes. Maybe even the odd budget hotel or hostel – something that would be affordable with the cash she’d managed to save from her part-time uni job. But this… A mathematics and statistics graduate from Wicklow didn’t have words for this.

      Her bestie, Elle Muir, sauntered towards the white mini-mansion, right smack at the bottom of Hollywood Hill. ‘My granddad said we could crash at his houses during our trip, as long as we promise not to break anything. No point wasting precious shopping credit when we can have this for free.’

      ‘C’mon Ciara!’ Her other best friend, Gem, shoved her shoulder, but she must have still been in shock because her legs refused to budge. They’d never been poor growing up, and her da had always given her everything she wanted – and some things she didn’t, like tuition fees to Oxford. She’d known Gem and Elle came from families so rich the Crown Jewels would be their Mas’ idea of day jewellery, but she’d never met them in the flesh and it was much easier to believe her two best friends liked to exaggerate. After all, like her, they were super smart. Only difference was, when she’d gone to Oxford, she was The Ultimate Geek and they were more Geek Chic.

      With a laugh, her friend said, ‘It’s not like we’re staying over there. You can pick your chin off the floor now.’

      Following Gem’s outstretched arm, towards a mini-version of the White House, Ciara saw the comparison. They were staying in what looked to be the garage of the super-mansion she had first seen – though this garage still came with a huge drive, palm trees and exotic-looking flowers galore. But… feck. Their temporary home had her flustered, or maybe that was the midday Californian sun made stronger since it reflected off the bright walls.

      Ciara just shook her head. ‘I’ll never roll my eyes at you again when you go on and on about this stuff.’

      Gem pulled back her bright red hair into a ponytail then swiped a coat of sweat off her forehead. ‘I want to have a dip in the pool to cool off before the jet lag kicks in. You coming?’

      Nodding, she followed wordlessly into the house to be shocked anew. If the outside had her chin dropping the inside would have her tongue rolling down to meet it. Chic, shiny floors covered what she assumed was the entrance vestibule, though this was much bigger than her dorm room. Bigger than five, probably. A massive, spiral staircase was situated opposite the door and artwork that looked suspiciously like originals instead of knock offs hung strategically on the walls. Ciara was scared to breathe for fear of steaming up the shiny floor or staining the pristine walls, and feck! She still had her shoes on!

      ‘Let’s turn this duty free bottle of tequila into something strong and icy before we hit the pool.’ Elle held up the airport bag with a grin.

      ‘Ooo iced margaritas?’ Gem asked.

      At Elle’s nod they rolled their suitcases through the swanky house. Ciara worried that her Tesco special bag was spoiling the look