Page 59 of Fake it With Me

It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. It was hope, and right now, I would take it.

“The house looks really good,” she said. “I love the flowers.”

“You think it’s too much?”

She laughed. “Yes, but I’ve learned billionaires are too much. It’s in your nature.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily. But fresh flowers seem right in line with the billionaire thing.”

I grimaced. “You’re right.”

We sat there for a while longer, not talking, just being together. It felt better than the strained dinners. Not quite back to normal but closer.

“I’ll leave you be,” I said. “I need to make some calls about fencing.”

“I should go in, too,” she said. “I need to finish organizing my notes.”

I stood up and offered her my hand to help her up. She took it. We stood there looking at each other for a few seconds. Acknowledging what was between us even if we weren’t ready to fully commit to it yet.

“Thank you, Liza. For doing this and genuinely supporting me. It means a lot.”

“You’re welcome.”

We walked back up to the house together.

Daisie was in the living room, playing with a couple of her Barbies. She looked up when I entered, still beaming from our earlier conversation.

I watched my daughter play, so innocent and hopeful, and made myself a promise. Whatever happened between Liza and me, I wouldn’t let Daisie get hurt. If we couldn’t make this work, I would find a way to help her understand and move forward.

But deep down, I really hoped we could make it work.

I wanted her. I wanted the family we had accidentally become.

Now I just had to convince her to want it too.

“Are you happy?” Daisie asked.

“I am.”

“You look sad.”

I smiled. “I’m not sad. I have a lot on my mind. Why don’t we have spaghetti for dinner?”

The cook had already made a casserole for dinner, but I wanted to make dinner with her. Tomorrow might change everything. I didn’t believe I would lose custody, but I knew family courts liked the whole joint custody thing. I did, too. Before. Now, to think of only having Daisie a few nights a week killed me.

I just had to trust the process. Believe what Liza kept saying. I was a good dad. The courts would see that.

They had to.

21

LIZA

Iwoke up earlier than usual after maybe three hours of actual sleep. My mind had been too restless to let me rest properly. Every time I closed my eyes, I replayed the conversation with Darek on the dock. His words echoed in my head.

I want to take you out on a date. A real one.