Page 134 of He Loves Me Knot

“Of course.” If Sergio thought this situation with Callum was strange, he said nothing as Liddy pulled Callum into the bungalow.Then again, she probably already explained that we’re not dating.

. . . and who knows what Sergio told Sophia.

As Liddy closed the door to the bungalow, she pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Listen, you have nothing to worry about. I’m going to tell him I can’t go.”

Any relief he might have felt at her words was quickly drowned out by the echo of Quinn’s voice.“. . . if you hurt Liddy, you and I won’t be able to come back from that.”

The words felt like sandpaper scraping his throat as he forced out, “Youshouldgo. Nothing has changed between us.”

Liddy held his gaze. “You don’t mean that.”

Being cruel to her now wouldn’t make Quinn less angry with him. He weighed his words carefully. “Liddy, I’m in over my head. I’m not like you. You have loads of family—who you have a relationship with—and friends. Ones who aren’t furious with you for interfering with people they care about. We had fun, but we also agreed this would end.”

He brushed her cheek with the backs of his knuckles. “A few more days of this would have been incredible, but the result would still be the same. It’s better if we part ways now, before one of the few friends I do have starts believing I’m as rotten as everyone else seems to think.”

“I don't give a damn about what Quinn and Elle think about us.” She grabbed his hand. “Stop worrying about that. I don’twantto go out with Sergio, Callum. It’s that simple. I’m having funwith you.I...” She let out a short, frustrated breath. “Please. Just don’t push me away because of something like Quinn being mad at you. I’ll talk to him myself. He can’t hold you responsible for the two of us getting involved. I’m a fucking grown-up, as ridiculous as it sounds to say.”

If only it were that simple.

Callum dropped her hand. “I’m going to shower and then pack my things. Fortunately, I still have a room I can stay in. And chances are my mum already knows we’re not a real couple, so I should probably clear things up with her.”Even if that kills me.

“Callum, don’t do this.” Liddy’s eyes shone with tears.

Goddammit.

She was going to get hurt. He’d warned her. And there was no way around it now.

I have to.

He stepped back, steeling himself to be as matter of fact as possible. “We can tell everyone we had a fight. And you dumped me, which makes the most sense.”

He almost wished for her anger and irritation, but she raised a brow. “And why did I dump you?”

“Does there have to be a reason? You yourself told me how many people believe I’m an arse.” He shrugged. This wasn’t really a good time to bring up that disagreement from yesterday, but it made sense for their story—at least for anyone from London. “Only a handful of people—and possibly Sophia and my mum, since Sophia was there when Sergio arrived—know about our arrangement. I’d rather not have to go through the hassle of telling everyone about our ruse.”

Liddy flinched. “And this is what you want?”

No.

But that didn’t matter.

“I think that will be the easiest thing to do.” He grabbed a fresh shirt and jeans from his bag. “Have a good time with Sergio.”

He crossed the room and shut the bathroom door, flipping on the light switch.

The bathroom smelled like Liddy’s coconut shampoo, reminding him of their shower earlier that morning.

“Fuck it all,” he muttered, then locked the door, willing himself to stay inside.

He set both hands on the vanity, then leaned against it, staring at himself in the mirror.

Why is it taking every ounce of willpower I have to do this?

He hated this.

And then Sophia’s words played through his head.“You only have yourself to blame for being a miserable bastard.”

Miserable. Funny, that term.

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