Page 80 of He Loves Me Knot

“Oh hush. It’s not like I’ve had a ton of access to modern technology.” Liddy pulled away from his mum.

A look of surprise registered in Mum’s eyes, then she squeezed Liddy’s hands. “Of course, mi amor. Happy to look out for you.”

Callum tore his gaze away.Does she really think I don’t know what she’s doing?

Mum had been trying to find a way back into his life for a while now. And now she thought she had found a new way—by showing love and acceptance for the “new woman” in his life.

To hell with that.

Mum sniffed as she stepped away from Liddy. A timid expression crossed her face, and she shifted, clasping her hands. “I’m just happy you’re here. How is your family enjoyingLa Hacienda?They are all so nice.”

She seems nervous.

Liddy smiled sweetly. “They love it. It’s wonderful. Thank you so much for being such a lovely host.”

And Liddy called me the liar.He smirked to himself.

“We should get going, though.” Liddy gestured back at the path. “We really didn’t mean to take off for a couple of days, and I’m sure my family is wondering why I disappeared.”

“Of course. Hasta luego,” Mum said with another broad smile. She reached for Callum as he passed her, coming up with only air instead. “Come visit me, Callum. I would love to talk to you.”

“I know.” His curtness almost made him grimace.Be nicer.He didn’t want to sound like such a dick and turned toward her.Especially not in front of Liddy.“Maybe once Islais here, we can have a family lunch or something.” Isla would be a good buffer.

Mum’s eyes shone. “That would be wonderful.”

Liddy was practically dancing as they continued walking toward the room. “I cannot believe your mom found my phone. That was so amazing of her to keep looking for it.”

“She tries to be a good businesswoman.” Callum repressed the urge to sigh.And she’s great at manipulating.

Liddy gave him a sidelong glance. “You know, I know it’s none of my business, but it really seems like she wants to be in your life. That’s not nothing. And she’s your mom. Maybe it would be worth having that talk with her and hearing her out. Even if you still feel the same way about things—and you’re totally within your right to be hurt about her continued relationship with Sophia—it might be good for you.”

. . .and there. That’s exactly what Mum wanted.

Callum shook his head and gave a sardonic chuckle. “Now I see why she’s trying to butter you up. See how well it’s working? If we really were a couple, her pressure on you would be enormous. Whatever her motivations, it’s manipulative, Liddy. Just like she’s always been.”

“I haven’t seen her try to convince you to give Sophia another chance?—”

“That’s because we’ve barely been here. Trust me when I tell you I know what I’m talking about. You only know the side of her she wants you to know.”

“I’m not trying to question that but”—she set a hand on his arm—“you don’t seem like you’re happy with the way things are either.”

The last thing he wanted was to be further irritated with her. She meant well. Probably even thought she could give him some insight into this that he didn’t already know. But spending three days with him hadn’t made her an expert on his life. He resisted the impulse to say anything to that effect. Instead, he turned to her and said, more emphatically, “Trust me.”

She faltered in her step. Then she started forward again without looking back. “Okay. Sorry, I didn’t mean to be pushy.”

He caught her hand in his. “It’s fine. If anything, I like it when you’re pushy. Reminds me of the girl who made me flip a coin with her for a damn guidebook.”

Liddy looked over her shoulder, her wide eyes making it clear she hadn’t expected him to bring that up.

Her fingers tightened against his. She couldn’t possibly know the effect her touch had on him.

I have to stop touching her.

And the more he thought about her telling Sergio to come out here for their date, the moodier and more pissed-off he became.

“Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t turned out to be my boss?” Her voice was low, as though she was making a great deal of effort to speak cautiously.

“I guess that depends on whether you would have called me.” But that wasn’t entirely truthful, either. In fact, he’d never been more thankful that she’d been his employee. She would have been just another woman from his past by now.Or worse, I would have hurt her.