Page 15 of Not Bad for a Girl

“Maybe not, but maybe it should. Just look at this duck right here. There’s never been anything like it before, and there won’t be again. Like you.”

That got an actual smile out of me. “We can agree that the duck shouldnever be repeated. But for real, Dad, should I come clean? Tell him my real size?”

“You won’t need to. Eventually, he’ll look down and spot you, promise.”

“Dad,” I groaned.

“Tell him you’re a woman. Pretending to be an actor is weird. And he’ll love you. Everyone here does. Give him the opportunity to appreciate the real you.” He patted my hand. “I bet you can outcode Harrison Ford any day.”

Everything always seemed a little better after talking to Dad. “Maybe I overthink things,” I said.

“You know, one time when you were six, I checked on you before I went to bed. You were still wide awake, and you looked up at me with your big eyes and said, ‘Who is God’s mommy? Is it Mother Earth? Was God in her belly? Would that make God our uncle? Is Mother Earth our grandma? I can’t sleep until I know who God’s mom is, Dad!’”

I inclined my head. “If we’re being honest, I still struggle with that a bit. The lack of women in the Holy Trinity confuses me to no end.” Dad bobbed up and down like he was gearing up for a debate, so I had to squash it. “I’m too tired to talk religion, Dad. Work’s been busy. Besides, now that we’re alone”—I leaned forward conspiratorially—“tell me about the lady in the fish tank.”

He leaned forward, too, like he was sharing a big secret. “She’s new. Her name is Margaret, but she lets me call her ‘Mags,’ or at least she will one day. She makes me feel like I have seahorses in my stomach.”

“Wow, you don’t feel that way often.”

“Not since your mother.”

“Does she know?” I asked.

He shook his head. “We haven’t spoken yet. I can’t get up my nerve.”

A surprised laugh escaped my throat. “You? You’re the one who always taught me to say what I think. You have to talk to her.”

“I don’t have to do anything,” he said obstinately. “But don’t worry, I’ll come up with something.”

“You’d better, or I’m going to have to play matchmaker.”

“I think you already did, getting me into this place,” he said. “I owe you for that.” Then he paused. “I didn’t want to mention it, but I got a call from Nancy the other day.”

I sighed. I really did like George and Nancy, my landlords, but I always hated it when they called my dad.

“She thinks maybe it’s time you start dating. She says you stay in a lot and don’t have too many visitors.”

“Well, you can tell Miss Nancy that it’s none of her business if I date or not.”

He pulled his cell out of his back pocket. “Got it. I’ll call her right now—”

I grabbed the phone out of his hand. “I’m just joking. Please don’t tell Miss Nancy that,” I said. My dad had taught me manners, even if he’d also taught me not to keep my mouth shut. “She just doesn’t need to worry. Or tattle,” I muttered to myself.

“I wasn’t going to call. I want her to think I raised you better. Just don’t forget to have a little excitement in your life, too, okay?”

I leaned forward and squeezed his hand. “You got it. Anything for you, Dad,” I said. And I meant it. I would make things work with Artemis. And I would make sure Aspen Skies would be Dad’s home for as long as he wanted it to be. As for excitement, Heidi had that part covered.

It would be fine. Totally fine. Unless it all went to hell.

Chapter 5

“I think you should reconsider,” Heidi squealed as we grabbed our coffee cups from the Starbucks down the street and headed back toward the office building. Her outfit was perfect, as always. The fall air was crisp, and her wool coat matched her sweater and skirt. I’d ordered Patrick his fancy mocha and planned to drop it off before the Artemis team’s first in-person meeting. It was Friday morning, and I had just about an hour to go until “Indiana’s” death. Or mine. It was kind of a toss-up.

“It’s going to be okay,” I reassured her. “When Melvin meets me in person, we’ll all have a laugh about the silly little prefix that started this whole misunderstanding.”

She sipped her iced green tea and made a face. “Or he’ll be like, ‘Who was that Heidi girl who said you were a sexy dude? We should track her down and destroy her.’”

“That’s a bit dramatic. I doubt you’re on anyone’s ‘Track and Destroy’ list.”

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