Page 30 of He Loves Me Knot
Liddy scanned her sister’s wide blue eyes, considering, for the eight hundredth time, to just tell the truth and get it over with.
This was crazy, wasn’t it?
Even if they tracked Sergio down, there was no guarantee they’d get the dress back—and then what? Were they supposed to blame Callum’s sister?
Whatever plan Callum had, it didn’t seem like a good one.
And now I’m stuck with him during this entire trip.
But Elle had burst into tears when she’d seen Liddy, something that wasn’t usual for her sister. Quinn whispered how glad he’d been that Liddy was finally there because everyone else was driving Elle crazy, and that had been that. She couldn’t add one more thing to Elle’s plate right now.
Liddy swallowed hard. “It happened a few months ago. I thought nothing would come of it at first and now, here we are.”
And he just kissed me.
She’d frozen in place when his gaze had focused on her lips, then realized if they were going to play this off, she had to consent to it.
She just hadn’t expected the contact to make her heart race like that.
“I mean, he’s easy on the eyes, but is he treating you the way he should? You always said he was such an ass to you. I can barely forgive the way he treated you when you first met him, so I’m not sure how you got over it. And isn’t that complicated with him being your boss?”
Yeah, no, I haven’t forgiven that either.“Water under the bridge,” Liddy said, pushing away the memory of that kiss. “But yes, the work thing is . . . complex. Which is why we haven’t told anyone.”
Elle looked torn. “Are you sure about this? I like Callum. He can be really charming when he wants. But Quinn also told me some stuff about his reputation with women, and I’m not sure he’s the sort of guy I trust with my sister.”
Ugh.This is going to be harder than I thought.Clearly, Elle’s excited reaction in the office had been fabricated, probably because she’d been in front of Callumandhis mother.
Liddy had one easy way to settle Elle’s mind somewhat, but it felt so deceptive and gross. She turned toward Elle and squeezed her hand. “Well, you trust your sister, right? I really like him, Elle. Please don’t make a big deal out of it.”
She almost shuddered saying it. Elle searched her gaze, still hesitant, then nodded. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you, Liddy. I always am. I know you’re all grown up now. I don’t want you to feel like I’m questioning your choices.”
Quinn and Callum had stopped at the doorway to a bungalow, right off the stone-lined path. The bungalows, which the website described as “rustic” were tidy one-story numbers made of wood. They stood in a circular formation centered on a small kidney-shaped swimming pool. Each bungalow had three more built directly behind it, about fifteen in all, and featured a hammock on the front porch.
And down another path, beyond a long stretch of tropical plants and trees, was the beautiful beach.
This hotel was cute.Rustic.Just as the website had boasted.
“So what’s wrong with the place?”
“It’s all just a bit . . .lessthan I should have done for the wedding.” Elle pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “Not the luxury my in-laws are accustomed to. The included breakfasts are tortillas, fruit, and this rice, bean, and scrambled egg mixture calledgallo pinto—which is admittedly delicious—but Mom and Dad have been complaining they’re still hungry afterward. They have to walk into the main strip and get more food. And then the bed situation—the biggest bed I’ve seen is a double, including mine and Quinn’s in the ‘honeymoon suite.’ No television or internet. Cell service is spotty, and you have to go to a local café to get Wi-Fi. And when I talked to Callum’s mom, she said it’s designed to encourage guests to spend time together.”
Lydia laughed and squeezed her sister’s shoulder with a side hug. “So it’s a little hippie-dippie. It sounds like something you would love. Small and intimate, a chance to spend time with your closest friends and family. Which is probably why you booked it? It seems private, given how close to the main beach it is. And that’s good to keep any potential paparazzi away.”
“Yes.” Elle sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I love it. I really didn’t want to overdo anything. Just go have a simple ceremony, have dinner together on the beach. Do some dancing. But I wasn’t trying to make everyoneelsemiserable. And now I don’t even have a caterer.”
Liddy nestled her head against her sister’s. “I’m sure we can find a local place to get food. Most of what you said sounds like athemproblem, not ayouproblem. You just ignore their complaints. Now that I’m here, tell them they can come directly to me with every issue. Have Hunter and Taryn arrived yet? I’m sure my co-maid of honor would be willing to step in and field all parental issues.”
“They arrive later this morning.” Elle’s best friends and business partners, who owned the music and arts studio for disabled children in Nashville with Elle, Heartbeats, would surely not put up with that nonsense. Taryn, especially.
“What about Kyle? Maybe he can take the dads out for a fishing trip or something. I hear fishing is amazing here.” Their younger brother was outdoorsy. He’d jump at something like that.
“He arrives this afternoon, same as Quinn’s brothers. We were thinking it might be good to have a big family dinner tomorrow. Just immediate family.”
Tomorrow?Liddy grimaced. When would she and Callum need to leave to track down Sergio?
Elle put her hand on Liddy’s forearm and drew her to a stop. A divot showed between her eyebrows. “When does Callum’s sister arrive? She won’t forget the dress, will she?”
Liddy held her breath. Elle was clearly worried about this. Maybe she should just tell her. It would be embarrassing to admit the lie, of course, but it would save her from having to share a room with Callum. And an enormous weight would be off her chest. “I think she comes in a few days. I have to double-check with Callum.”