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“I’m going to get that margarita and get some work in.”

“And what work is that, love?”

He’s smiling, but it’s not touching his eyes. He knows I’m keeping something from him.

A jolt of uneasiness hits me. Other than a very select few, no one knows about what I do as a side gig. If I tell him and he ridicules me… I’ll be pissed and hurt and feel self-conscious, which I’m in no mood to be over something I love as much as I do. I don’t like having to explain myself or my choices, which is why I rarely tell anyone. Do I want to tell him? Do I want to trust him with that piece of me after the last time I trusted it with someone I cared about? Loomis isn’t even my real boyfriend. He’s my… friends with benefits? I don’t know.

Before I can respond, my phone rings. Saved by the bell.

I pick it up as I awkwardly wrap a towel around myself. Stupid brace.

“It’s my mom,” I tell Loomis, and he gives me a tight nod, not happy I’m blatantly keeping something from him. For now, I let it go.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer.

“Ha. Gotcha,” my father chirps. “Why haven’t you been picking up my calls?”

Busted. I head back toward the house, needing shade and air conditioning. And that margarita, now that I’m talking to my overprotective father, who has been Team Alden.

“I’ve just missed them.”

“Keegan, you are the worst liar. Like worse than your mother.”

I sigh as I enter the house and then sigh against the blast of cold on my hot skin. “I wasn’t in the mood for the fifty questions.”

“What if I limit it to ten?”

I laugh at his playful tone. “I can’t believe you called me from Mom’s phone.”

“I can’t believe you pick up for her and not me.”

Touché.

“I’m not getting back together with Alden,” I tell him emphatically.

“I know that, Keegs, and that’s okay. That’s why I was calling, and I think why you’ve been ignoring me. I’m sorry. I never should have inserted my opinion or hopes into your life and choices like that. I’ll admit, I was excited when you and Alden got back together. You know we’re close with his parents, and it just felt like a great fit. It’s not easy finding real love when you’re a Fritz, and I wanted something safe for you. But I’ve had time to think about it, especially after your mom, Layla, and Kenna ripped me a new asshole over it.”

I gasp. “They did not.”

“Oh, they did. But that’s okay. They were right to. I just want you to be happy, and I want you to be loved the way you deserve to be. That’s all any dad wants for his little girl.”

And now I’m getting choked up. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot. It’s all I want too, and I’m done settling for less.”

“Good. I’m proud of you. How’s the book going? How’s the wrist? How’s living on a secluded island with a movie star who has as many problems as he has tattoos?”

I laugh. He’s not wrong with that.

“Great, okay, and fine. In that order.”

“Is he behaving and keeping his hands to himself?”

“Dad!” I exclaim as I fill a glass with ice and hold it to my flaming cheek.

Before my dad can challenge me, I hear my mother call out in the background. “Oliver, have you seen my phone?”

“Yes, I stole it, and I’m talking to Keegan.”

My mother curses under her breath. “Put it on speaker. I was going to call her later. Does she know the Red Sox made a big trade?”