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“Ooo, solid grip.”

I look across the table to Liv, whose eyes stay trained on her plate in front of her, and I can only guess that it has less to do with how excited she is about her meal and more about the man with dirty-blonde hair sitting next to her.

“Where’s Knox?” Sophie asks. I didn’t want to be the one to bring him up, but it’s not lost on me that out of everyone at the table tonight, the only person noticeably absent is the six-foot-four rugby player.

“I talked to him earlier,” Liam says, picking up his fork. “He said he had his first physical therapy session today. I figured he would be done by now, but maybe it ran late.”

“Or maybe he’s hitting on your girl.”

Laughter erupts around the table as Sophie lifts her glass to Liam, who glances at Oliva out of the corner of his eye. I uncomfortably shift around in my seat, avoiding the fire of jealousy that just sparked to life in my stomach.

The rest of dinner passes by with a few jabs between Sophie and Liam, many compliments on the food, and zero appearances from Knox.

I bring my plate into the kitchen where James stands at the sink, rolling up his sleeves.

“Taylor, you didn’t have to bring that in here.”

“It’s not a problem at all. I don’t mind helping.”

“You’ve helped enough today,” Isla says, taking my plate from me and handing it to her husband. “But as much as I enjoy your company darling, dishes are where I draw the line.”

Wrinkles form around her eyes and mouth when she smiles up to me. Every time she looks at me, I wonder if she sees the question in my eyes. How can she can look at me—someone she hardly knows—with so much affection and understanding? As if in answer, she dips her head slightly and even though her mouth doesn’t move, the squeeze she gives my hand says,I see you.

“What should I do with this?” Liv asks, lifting a covered plate.

“Leave that out. I’ll have someone bring it down to Knox.” Isla squeezes my hand once more before taking the plate from Liv.

“I can take it to him.” All three heads turn to me and I clear my throat. “I mean, since you won’t let me help with the dishes, at least let me do this,” I offer, holding my hands out.

“Thank you, my dear,” Isla says.

“Better you than me,” Liv says, handing me the plate as she exits the kitchen.

My knuckles tapagainst the green-painted wood of Knox’s front door three times.

No answer.

I almost turn to leave before remembering I’m not in the city anymore, and so I try the handle.

Success.

“Knox?” I call out from the cracked doorway. If his truck being packed out front didn’t indicate he was home, the stone fireplace crackling to my right would have been the tell. A dim light on the counter illuminates the kitchen and dining area and a soft glow beams from somewhere around the back corner. I should leave the plate on the counter and run my ass back up to the main house.

I don’t.

I set the plate down and creep around to the back door. I physically rear back when I spot a shirtless Knox, soaking in the hot tub built directly into his screened-in deck. Water drips from his dark hair, plopping down the ridges of his shoulders before rolling down his corded back.

He had his physical therapy today. He’s probably in pain and trying to relax and you’re Joe Goldberging him. Get a fucking grip.

“You gonna keep staring or are you gonna get in?” His booming voice startles me and I freeze.

“I wasn’t staring,” I lie.

“No?” He doesn’t look at me, but he sinks lower, dropping his head to the edge of the tub. “Just saving content for your spank bank then?”

“You wish.” I open my mouth to tell him about his food so I can leave but I bite my lip instead when he twists, looking over his shoulder at me.

“Get in, Nova.” His voice is like gravel and my feet move solely from the pull of his gaze alone. I stand on the other side of the hot tub and consider for the length of one breath if I’m really going to do this. His chin dips once and that’s all it takes before my hands are running along my bare legs, sliding my pants down.