Page 5 of Island Rescuer

And she wasn’t about to confess all those intense and embarrassing feelings here and now.

“Hey,” he said to the table. Apparently, everyone here knew him, which raised all kinds of questions for Harper. None of them appropriate for the moment.

“Y’all are killing it,” he observed with a nod to the scoreboard.

Lila winced. “Botched that last one.” She scooted closer to Trina, making room for Knox. “Want a seat?”

Harper struggled to ignore the pinch around her heart. It seemed the man was friends with everyone except her. It shouldn’t matter. Her heart, wallowing in all its teenage nostalgia, didn’t get the memo. She prayed he didn’t accept the invitation. His presence would wreck her concentration for the game.

Yeah, right. That’s the only reason.

She was about to join the conversation buzzing around her when her cell phone chimed. Glancing at the screen, she saw the familiar ugliness and turned it over. Annoyed and determined to ignore it, she shoved the device into her purse.

At Molly’s quizzical look she explained it away as spam.

“I won’t intrude.” Knox smiled, a sexy half-tilt of his mouth that made her wonder what his lips tasted like at the upturned corner. “Just wanted to say hello.”

“You’re not competing, are you?” Molly asked, looking past him. “I won’t consort with spies,” she added with dramatic flair.

He touched a hand to his heart as if he’d been wounded. How was it she’d never seen this side of him before?

“Your reputation is safe, Mrs. Kearney,” he replied. “I stopped in for a drink after a meeting with Jess. Miles is home with Bryce?”

She nodded. “I was informed they would have man-time.” She laughed. “I’m sure they’re having a blast.” She checked her watch. “Or maybe not—it’s close to bedtime.”

“If anyone can out-negotiate Bryce, it’s Miles,” Knox said.

Harper agreed. She’d met Miles back in high school. Considered him a friend. And was glad that he was settled on the island here so that she could see him more often. Though she hadn’t heard how Knox and Miles had met or the nature of their friendship. It could’ve been in school, she realized. Knox would’ve been ahead of them, but he’d been there for a year.

Growing up, Knox had been determined to create as much trouble as possible. Looking back, Harper could honestly pinpoint the precise origin of her silly fantasies about reforming the bad boy.

Her teenage-self had been sure if they ever dated he would make better choices simply so they could be together. So he could win over her father and ask for her hand in marriage. She’d imagined exchanging vows under an arbor of roses, surrounded by family and friends in awe of their love.

Ridiculous. Not to mention, impossible.

Starting with the simple fact that people didn’t work that way. They didn’t change, especially not for people they didn’t even notice.

And she’d been beneath Knox’s notice for many years. Tonight was more proof. Yes, he knew who she was, as an acquaintance. Someone related to people he knew better. Her brother. And her friends, apparently. He had no idea that for half her life shewantedhim to notice her. To ask her out. To show even a fleeting interest.

It stung to recall how willing she’d once been to settle for a mere crumb of his attention. She credited him with her first heartbreak, although he was completely oblivious to her emotional angst. What a lucky silver lining. She’d be mortified to interact with him now if she’d ever managed to confess her teenage devotion.

Through those awkward years to now, they’d bump into each other at random social events. He was always polite, just like tonight, but he never crossed into remotely personal territory. Never tried to flirt or even joke around with her.

Resigned, she had ditched her fantasy life in favor of dating more accessible and appropriate guys. The habit carried her through college right up to her generally dissatisfied present. Time after time, they let her down, disappointed her, and occasionally betrayed her outright.

It seemed as if no amount of care, thoughtfulness, or background checks prevented her from running up against men who were more keen on her inheritance than her.

Maybe Knoxwasthe perfect man for her. Untouchable and uninterested, he could never let her down romantically. She could keep him—in the safety and privacy of her mind and heart—where he could be the heroic knight in shining armor she longed for.

The thought brought a rush of heat to her face.

“You okay?” Molly asked.

She nodded. “Wine does that to me sometimes.”

Thankfully Knox said goodnight and walked off. She grabbed her water glass, pressing her cool fingertips to her cheeks.

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