Page 94 of Spring Tide

“Harper, honey?” My dad’s concerned voice carries down the hall, barreling through the bedroom door. “Is that you?”

“One second, Dad!” We both fumble our way out of bed, panic striking Luca’s eyes as we frantically tuck ourselves back into our clothes

“I’m sorry.” I shoot him an apologetic glance. “I really didnotthink he’d be here this weekend.”

“Goddammit,” he grumbles. “Please don’t tell me I’m about to meet your father for the first time”—he gestures wildly to the obvious bulge in his jeans—“like this.”

Dad calls my name for the second time, the sound of his heavy footsteps trailing closer. “Whose Outback is that out there?”

“It’s my friend’s,” I shout back, watching Luca tense up out of the corner of my eye. “Give us a second, and we’ll be right out.” Dropping my voice to a whisper, I murmur, “Just think about, like, your grandma or something, and it’ll go away.”

“Jesus, Harper.” He smacks a hand to his forehead. “I think hearing your dad walk down the hallway just put the fear of God in me, anyway. My dick’s basically crawled back up inside my body.”

“Then let’s go.” I smile, grabbing my purse off the floor and popping it over one shoulder. Taking his hand, I lead us down the hall. My dad is waiting for us at the end, foot tapping, both arms crossed over his chest. He lifts an unimpressed brow.

“Dad, this is Luca,” I say cheerfully, gesturing to the six-foot-two man attempting to cower behind me. “Luca, this is my dad, Christopher.”

Dad might appear to be intimidating from the outside, but I know he’s putting on a show for Luca’s sake. He’s met many of my friends before, as well as my dates, and even the occasional hookup. I know he doesn’t mind that we used the condo this weekend. In fact, I’d bet he’s delighted that I finally made the trip.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Luca clears his throat, tentatively stepping forward to shake Dad’s hand. “I’m sorry for barging in on your place this weekend. We sort of drove up on here on a whim and—”

“No worries, kid,” Dad cuts in. “I know how my Harper can be. Free-spirited, always going where the wind takes her.”

Luca tugs at the collar of his shirt, poorly attempting to conceal his nerves. “Right, yeah. Of course.”

Dad gestures between the two of us. “So, this is new?”

I lean against Luca’s shoulder. “Oh, we’ve been dating for a couple of months now.”

“What happened to that girl you were with?” Dad asks, giving me a questioning look.

My brow crinkles in confusion. “What girl?”

“The blonde? The one I helped you move in with back in August.”

“Oh my God, Dad.” I drop my head back with a groan. “Stella and I are just friends. Best friends. I’ve known her for three years now. You know this.”

“Then why are you living with her?”

“I don’t know, to have a roommate?” I scoff, bewildered by his accusation. “To split living expenses with ... andstuff.”

He sniffs an amused laugh, staring at me as though he has no clue what I’m talking about. “You know you don’t need to worry about that.”

I chance a sideways glance at Luca, taking note of his stiff posture. This whole conversation is making him uncomfortable, that much is clear.

“Dad,” I mutter, a hint of embarrassment creeping up my spine.

“What?” he asks, clueless as ever. I stare at him blankly, nodding toward my guest. “Oh, sorry. Why don’t I take you both out to breakfast this morning, how does that sound? We could go to that place on the water that you like, Harper Jo. The one with the crab benedict.”

“We don’t really have time today,” I say, offering an apologetic shrug. “We both have to work back near campus.”

“Are you still working down at the beach?” Dad fishes his Tom Ford wallet out from the back pocket of his trousers. “I told you I’d up your allowance if that’s the issue. Or your mother can do it. She certainly could spare the spousal support.”

“No, I don’t need that.” I wince as he pulls out a thick wad of cash. “And it’s my last shift today anyway.”

He shrugs as if to say,suit yourself. Stuffing the money back into his wallet, he turns his attention to Luca. “You a lifeguard, too?”

“Uh, no, sir.” Luca wrings both hands together, rubbing his thumb against the outside of his wrist. “I work down at the pier.”

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