Page 29 of He Loves Me Knot
Lydia narrowed her eyes at him.She's not happy about this rooming arrangement. At all.After a second, she released his hand and extended it toward his mother. “Call me Liddy. Nice to meet you, Señora Scott.”
His mother’s face grew less friendly as her gaze swept over Lydia. “It would be Reyes,” she said in her accented English. “Señora Reyes. But you can call me Lety, like your sister does.”
Mum doesn’t like her.
Probably because she’s ruining Mum’s plans to have me stay with her. And get back together with Sophia.
Then his mother seemed to catch herself and smiled a bit more warmly. “Es un placer, amorcito. Anyone my Callum loves is welcome here.”
Two-faced bullshite.
Callum’s eyes darted toward the doorway where Sophia had been. She was gone once again.
The smidge of satisfaction he’d felt kissing Lydia faded.
“So you really don’t have a room for Callum?” Lydia asked, her voice faltering.
Watching her squirm was surprisingly . . . satisfying?
“No, but he’s welcome to stay at my house with me. I wouldn’t want to upset your parents by?—”
“That won’t be necessary, Mum. Lydia and I can stay together.” Callum put his arm around Lydia’s shoulder, then looked over at Elle and Quinn. If Lydia was doing this, then he needed to remind her of why before she got cold feet. “Speaking of which, I have some bad news to break, mate.”
He sought Quinn’s face, specifically, hoping the blow would be softer on his friend. “This morning when we were leaving Lid’s flat, she put me in charge of grabbing the wedding dress, and I fucked up?—”
“Díos mío, Callum, do you have to use such ugly words?” Mum gasped.
Elle’s eyes widened, and she stepped closer. “W-what do you mean, Callum?”
“I didn’t bring the dress. We didn’t realize until we were at the check-in desk, and by then, it was too late to go back for it. But I’ve already spoken to Isla, and she’s going to bring it with her when she comes in a few days.” Callum reached for Elle’s hand with both of his. “Please forgive me. I’m so sorry. It’s not Lydia’s fault. She thought I had it and was so worried to tell you. But I promise I’ll make it up to you both.”
Lydia had paled. But the hard part was over. They’d told Elle about the dress not being here.
Elle looked over Callum’s shoulder toward Lydia, the wheels of her mind clearly turning. “It’s fine,” she said at last, then looked back at Quinn. “Isn’t it? It’ll be fine, right? Your mom won’t flip out?” In an unconvincing tone, which Callum wasn’t sure showed if she was more upset than she was letting on, Elle laughed and added, “It’s only my wedding dress.”
Quinn slipped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. “My mum will be fine. I don’t even think we need to tell her.”
Elle relaxed against him. “Yes, I agree. She doesn’t need to worry about one more thing.”
Callum turned back toward Lydia.
If he didn’t know any better, she looked guilty.
But also maybe a little thankful?
She met his eyes, and his mouth twisted in a smirk.
We’re in it together now.
All that was left was to figure out how to handle this situation—and fast.
ChapterSeven
Elle gripped Liddy’sforearm the moment Callum and Quinn were out of sight on the pathway to the bungalow she’d be sharing with Callum. “What the hell, Liddy? Tell me everything. When did this happen with Callum? I thought you hated him.”
Oh God, what did I get myself into?
Shit.