Page 46 of If It's You

Her only response was a smirk.

Christian growled. She was impossible.

“Well, have fun then. It will be a nice ride home when you’re wet.”

She stopped walking and turned on him. “That’s fine. I’ll find my own way home.”

“Nope. Your dad would kill me.”

“Thank the heavens. There’s hope.” Maizie kept walking, and Christian let her go this time.

Five minutes later, kids started jumping from the roof into the pool. Cops were bound to be called soon, but it actually looked pretty legit.

Too bad I didn’t bring a suit.

Maizie was currently in position, ready to jump, and his heart hammered faster than normal.Please don’t let her die. Her parents would kill me.

She released the edge, flying through the air before slicing through the water. That wasn’t the same timid girl from the pond. This girl was brave, and she was free.

She shot up from the water, her hair matted around her face. And yet, she looked happy. Happier than she’d been all night.

So she really did hate him. It wasn’t all a game.

“Come on, party pooper.”

“What?” Christian jumped as Lindsay plopped down beside him.

“Get in the pool. One of the guys has an extra suit. You look like you’re brooding.” She pinched her face up to mimic his.

“I’m not brooding.”

“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes. “Now get in the pool before I push you in.”

Christian snorted. “I’d like to see you try.” The girl looked tough, but not that tough.

Lindsay waved to someone behind him, and then he was airborne. He landed with a thick splash in the pool. Great.

He pushed to the top and shoved his wet hair out of his face only to see Maizie in hysterics next to three guys who had obviously banded together to throw him in.

Thank goodness he’d left his phone on the counter.

“Nice night for a swim, huh?” Maizie said before leaping into the water next to him, her face split into a wide smile.

He should have been annoyed that she was winning their little game. But he couldn’t look away from her smile. Was this the first time she’d truly smiled at him tonight?

“Yeah, too bad my phone didn’t make it.” Christian slowly trudged through the water toward her.

“Oh no!” Maizie gasped.

He caught her off guard, and she wasn’t able to move when Christian lunged toward her. He flipped her into the water over his shoulder, and his own smile appeared.

“You jerk.” Maizie popped up behind him. She jumped on his back, but even though she pulled on him, he refused to go down easily.

“You started it, princess.” He plugged his nose and took her underwater with him. She let go, but he turned and caught her before she could get far. Holding her in a dress was one thing. Holding her in a swimsuit was practically mind-numbing.

“Stop making out, and come play,” someone shouted from across the pool.

Maizie frowned and pushed away from him like she’d been burned.