Page 13 of Trick Knot Treat

“I think so.”

Asher stomps forward and pulls me into a one-armed hug. “Well, I guess this is it, then. Good luck. Call if you need me. I’ll be with Martin up the coast if I’m not at Angler’s Beach.”

“I’ve got this under control.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help?”

I snort a laugh, trying to picture her helping with Zaire. “Asher? You would make it all worse. Go play on the beaches and chase your fish.”

“Dolphins,” she growls, “are not fish.”

“Sure, sure. Them, too.”

Her growl is deliciously violent, but her face softens and then turns devious. I feel a moment of panic and brace for whatever is coming.

“I owe you. Mum was furious until she saw you with Clint. She is baking your bonding cake as we speak.”

I sit up, alarmed. “She is not.”

“Go home and see for yourself.”

For a moment, I consider just that, and then I remember that I would rather go swimming in the dead of winter.

“On that happiest note, I’ll be back in a few weeks. Enjoy my match. I have to admit, if I was going to choose, I’d definitely pick Trick…treat is so overrated.”

I wave at her departing back, laughing softly to myself.

I cock my head to the side, thinking about the event I’ve now found myself thoroughly entwined in.

“I think I want the treat,” I whisper, then shove myself off the rock. I need to go and wrangle a promise from my mum to stay out of my way because while she might think she’s making the perfect match, she hasn’t seen the complete picture yet.

No one has.

But they will.

Chapter 4

Felix

Iplace my symbol on the board, a single wavy line. But I’ve no sooner dropped the pen than I hear a voice I recognise.

“Yes, I know, it's just I don’t think I should be the one to do it anymore. You did say you were going to find someone else.”

Mum makes an irritated sound and continues choosing stones out of the basket. Did she go without me? My brows lower as I think about having possibly missed my chance to spend time with her. I check my phone, not even breakfast yet. I wipe my face with my towel and yank off my running T-shirt.

“There are five acceptable stones. I need fifty.”

“Fifty?” the objection of my obsession squeaks.

Khione looks around like she’s searching for help. I stay just out of sight, staring at her as she adjusts that ugly cap lower on her face.

“Yep, it will be Christmas. Lots more people, summer, tourist season, lots of love to be spread.”

“But that’s only two months.”

“You can do it, Karlie.”

Karlie?