Page 136 of He Loves Me Knot

“That’s ridiculous. He has no right to interfere in your love life. Unless he thinks you’re just planning on . . . wait.” Isla stepped closer to him, searching his face. “You weren’t just using her as your scratching post, were you?”

“We had sex. It was never going to be anything else. I ended it.”

Isla squared her shoulders. “Cal, I love you. So please take this in the best way possible when I say what the fuck are you even thinking? You clearlylikethis woman.”

Her words hit close to his chest.

“I like plenty of women.”

“I’m going to punch you, big brother.” She glared at him. “You’re out of your mind. The first woman who comes into your life in years that might actually make you happy, and you’re going to run away lamely because Quinn doesn’t like it? God, I thought you were more of a man than that.”

She crossed her arms. “This isn’t because of Sophia, right? You’re not still harboring on to some?—”

“For Christ’s sake, Isla. I’m not going to have that conversation with you again. I am not, and haven’t been, remotely concerned with Sophia in years. Hell, if we’re being honest about the whole damn thing, I think I stopped loving her before we even broke up.”

Isla blinked at him. “Then why have you made Mum’s life so impossible about it? Because she wounded your pride?”

“Don’t you get it, Isla?” He shook his head, raking his fingers through his hair. He’d never really verbalized this to her.

But then again, I never knew all the pieces to the puzzle until recently.

“This placewas one of the few places where I felt I belonged, even if it wasn’t like you belonged here. Or Mum. But when Sophia and I broke up, it was made crystal clear to me how much I didn’t belong. I understand why now better. Mum went right on having her relationship with thedaughterssheraisedhere. Her son was always disposable.”

Isla blanched. “You don’t really believe Mum cares more about Sophia than you, do you?”

“She’s more than proved it.”

Isla came closer to him and slipped her hand into his. “I don’t believe it. But I understand why you would feel like that.” She squeezed his hand. “But, Cal, none of that makes any bit of difference with Liddy. You’re being a complete arse by letting her go. Don’t you think you deserve a bit of happiness after all you’ve gone through?”

A bitter chuckle left his lips. “What have I gone through that I didn’t bring upon myself? Quinn doesn’t want me near Liddy because I’ve shown him my true colors. I wouldn’t want me near her either, if the roles were reversed.”

Her eyes softened. “You’re not a bad guy, Cal. So you’ve made mistakes. We all do, you know. Liddy doesn’t seem to care, and what’s more, I think she sees the good in you, too.”

“Liddy doesn’t know me. I’ve spent the last two years making sure she never had the chance to.”

Isla’s mouth twisted. “Maybe that’s the problem, then. You’re scared. You don’t want to believe she could possibly like you because it makes it easier to push her away if she doesn’t.” She poked a finger into his chest. “Knowing you, I’d say you’re also too scared to trust that she’d continue liking you the closer she gets.”

Callum stepped back, his throat tight. He felt exposed, and he didn’t like it.

Enough.

“I should go find Aiden.” He checked his phone. Sure enough, he had a few missed texts. “Do me a favor, will you? Can you take my bags up to the house? I’d rather not talk to Mum—or Sophia—right now.”

Isla set her hands on her hips.

A disgusted look came into her expression. “You want to keep walking away from any possibility of happiness? Then do it yourself.” Pushing past him, Isla left the bungalow.

Callum stared at the space she’d vacated.Great. Another person irritated with me.

He slipped the bag strap over his shoulder and exited back into the rain. Isla being upset with him would only make staying at his mum’s house more awkward. Maybe he should see if any other local places had accommodations. Elle had said that some family members who hadn’t been able to stay atLa Haciendahad trouble finding a place to stay nearby, but right now, any other place—no matter how far—seemed preferable.

For now, though, he didn’t want to make any more waves as the irresponsible member of the wedding party. He’d just leave his bags in the office and come back for them later.

He hurried toward the office, not thrilled to get rained on again, then slipped inside.

The sound of paper rustling caught his attention before he saw Sophia nearly leap away from the counter.

A man Callum didn’t recognize—maybe an American from his appearance—leaned against the counter. He jerked his chin up in surprise, then gave Callum a curious look.

---