Page 12 of He Loves Me Knot

Liddy, on the other hand, had missed the luck bus.

As Callum straightened, he grimaced. He wasn’t in his usual expensive, bespoke suit. He wore a jumper and trainers with jeans.Sweater.Sneakers.

She’d been living in London for too long if their verbiage was sneaking into her thoughts.

And dammit if he doesn’t look good in his “casual” as opposed to my hot mess.

But then again, Callum always looked good. Half of her coworkers were infatuated with him. Miranda often referred to him as “dishy.” That he ignored them all and seemed to regard them with equal contempt made no difference.

“Thanks,” she mumbled as Callum tossed the used paper towels in the bin. Her brain was still feeling like unstirred molasses, and she blinked to clear her thoughts.I’ve barely said anything to him.“I guess you’re on the way to Costa Rica this morning, too.”

She gave a tepid glance at the waiting area. Who knew how long the restroom would be closed—not that she needed to rush and put some makeup on now.

“Elle didn’t tell you we were on the same flight?” Callum appeared surprised, then followed her gaze. “Here, let me help you carry something. That garment bag looks heavy.”

“Um . . . sure. It’s Elle’s dress. I had to pick it up from Logan in Littleton a couple of days ago.” His politeness threw her off guard as she handed the bag over to him.

And no, Elle knew better than to mention the travel arrangements.Speaking of which, I’m going to kill Elle for not telling me.Elle was probably asleep in the comfort of her resort bedroom in Costa Rica. An irritated text would roll off her like water on butter.

“You’re bringing the dress all the way from London yourself?” Callum raised a brow. “Impressive. They should have just made Logan do it.”

“You know, maid of honor duties.” Of course, hewasright. Elle could have asked Quinn’s youngest brother to bring the dress, but she’d asked Liddy because she didn’t think Logan was responsible.

Why was Callum beingsopolite? Because he felt sorry for her after the mop water incident?

If there was anything she hated in the universe, it was Callum Scott feeling sorry for her.

“And to think all Quinn asked me to bring was a good bottle of Glenfiddich.” Callum set her bag down on a chair, then gave her a thin-lipped smile.

“I’ll leave you here. See you on the flight.” He nodded goodbye and then headed back to his seat.

That’s when it hit her. He hadn’t taken her bag over to where he sat. He’d dumped her several rows away, as if...he didn’t want to sit beside her either. Her eyes narrowed at his receding form.

Oomph.

And there it is.

That was the Callum Scott she knew. The one who seemed to hold the world in contempt.

She visualized the smirk on those full lips and tore her gaze away as he sat. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him don headphones.

Liddy sat and pulled out her phone. Rapidly, she fired off a text to Elle.

Liddy:You could have told me you booked me on the same flight as Callum.

Irritated, she wrinkled her nose at the wet spot on her pants. She shifted back, trying to get comfortable in the airport chair—a losing battle. Sitting was never particularly comfortable, especially for any length of time. International flights were the worst, but the trip to Costa Rica could never be as bad as the one to Australia had been.

But that was the price to pay with a fused spine.

Most days, she didn’t let it get to her. The pain she’d been experiencing since she was first diagnosed with scoliosis as a child was something she’d grown accustomed to. Like a constant hum in the back of her mind that came to the forefront only when the world was quiet enough for her to notice. But on the cusp of a flight she knew would give her trouble, with damp pants, and Callum as a burr in her boot . . . this was going to be a long day if she didn’t get some coffee, stat.

Surprisingly, her phone buzzed in her hand.

Elle:Oh nooooo, I didn’t realize. Quinn’s travel agent handled all the arrangements. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I feel horrible.

And just like that, Liddy felt any frustration with Elle vanish.

Maybe if it hadn’t been so early, the travel agent thing would have occurred to Liddy. Elle was easy to forgive—she was frequently harder on herself than anyone else was—and she’d been the best big sister imaginable.