Page 117 of Making It Up

“Mia?”

I stop for a second, but then have to start paddling again. But that is not David’s voice.

And worse, I know exactly whose voice it is.

“Dad?”

My dad comes to the end of the dock and looks down at me. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Swimming,” I say, trying to inject confidence in my tone.

Okay, he doesn’t know that David was on his way out here to join me.

Oh God, I hope David isn’t on his way out here now.

We’re going to have to lie our asses off if he shows up. I’m so tired of lying about us.

Having my dad catch me and David skinny-dipping is not an ideal situation, but continuing to lie to my dad about a guy that I have big, serious feelings for is really getting icky.

“You’re swimming in Judy’s pond? Without permission?”

“How… How do you know I don’t have permission?”

“Because she called to report that someone was swimming in her pond without permission.” He looks around. “And you’re the only one here.”

I frown. “Judy called you?” I had specifically told Judy to call David again, and I know she has his number.

“I think she called the Game and Parks office. But they knew David was tied up dealing with the bees at the park. When they found out what it was about, they called me. Figured a trespassing situation was right up my alley.” He plants his hands on his hips. “I don’t think they knew it was my daughter.”

I wince.

I knew David had the bee thing. Dammit. I should’ve done this tomorrow night.

“I didn’t think Judy would mind.”

“She probably wouldn’t have if you’d asked.”

“So, what now?”

“Now you get out of her pond. And probably tell her it was you and apologize. I’m going to assume she won’t press charges.”

I can assure him that she won’t. “Okay.”

He continues to stand there.

“Um…” I say.

“I’m afraid I’m going to need to escort you to her house,” he says. “That’s what I would do with anyone else, and I can’t play favorites.”

I roll my eyes. He’s always such a stickler for the rules, and ironically, this reminds me that he and David have a lot in common. “Okay,” I say. “But I’m going to need you to turn around. I’m naked.”

My dad steps back from the end of the dock as if I said I was going to throw a piranha up on him. “You’re naked? What the hell are you doing swimming naked?”

Waiting to seduce the Game and Parks guy I was hoping was going to show up is not the right answer here. “It just seemed like fun,” I say, happy that’s at least not a total lie.

My dad blows out an exasperated breath. “Get up here and get dressed. Then we’ll head to Judy’s.”

Honestly, as I climb the short little wooden ladder and pull on my bikini and cover up, I’m wincing inside for another reason.