Page 124 of He Loves Me Knot

Kyle waited for him on a lounge chair, along with Isla, who’d done him the favor of grabbing his old surfboard from his mum’s house on the property.

Across from them on the other side of the pool were a few other people Callum didn’t know—some of Liddy’s extended family—and Elle and Quinn with most of Quinn’s family.

“I guess everyone decided to move up from the beach.” Liddy wrinkled her nose. “So much for getting any reading done.” She released his hand. “Have fun with my brother.”

“There she is.” Elle got up from her lounger and came toward them. She grimaced. “Kat is asking me about the wedding dress again.”

Bollocks.Maybe a surfing lesson would have to wait.

“Liddy!”

Oh. Fuck. This moment keeps getting worse.

Callum stiffened as he followed the direction of the voice.

Sergio.

He stood near the path that led to the office and waved at Liddy. Sophia was beside him.

Several heads turned toward Sergio.

Oh shit.

What in the hell is he doing here now?Worse still, had he told Sophia why he was here?

“Who is that?” Elle asked as Sergio started toward them. Thief or not, Callum still didn’t like him. Especially not with the way he was looking at Liddy.

Dammit.

Liddy turned and looked at Elle. “Um, he’s, um, a friend of mine.”

Sergio reached them, smiling. “I hoped I would find you.” He leaned down, then greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”

Elle arched a brow.

Think fast, Liddy. Right now. Get Sergio out of here.He wished she could read his stare.

“I’m Sergio,” he was already saying, holding out a hand toward Elle.

“This is Elle, my sister,” Liddy said.

By now, curiosity had driven Quinn toward them, who came over to join them.

“Ah.” A light lit Sergio’s eyes. “The bride.”

“Everything all right?” Quinn asked, pausing beside Elle.

“Yes, I’m just here to take your sister out later,” Sergio said with a smile, then slipped his hand on Liddy’s shoulder. “But I came early, to surprise her. The rain yesterday caused a mudslide on the highway, and I wanted to be sure another accident wouldn’t prevent us from getting to know each other better.” He squeezed Liddy’s shoulder.

Redness crawled into Liddy’s face as Elle and Quinn swiveled questioning gazes toward her.

Callum snuck a look at Sophia.

She watched them intensely, with no obvious intention of walking away just yet.

“I—um. I can explain,” Liddy started.

“Did you get the dress back?” Sergio turned toward Liddy.

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