Page 13 of My Daddy Valentine

Ava sits up straight, suddenly interested. “A moment? What kind of moment?”

“Not like that,” I say quickly, but I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. “It’s complicated. He knows who I am. He knows who my father is.”

Ava’s eyes widen. “Wait. You mean, he knows you’re...Ella Williams? The daughter ofJames Williams?”

I nod, biting my lip. “Yeah. He knows. He said he did some research. And I thought... well, it’s just so messed up. He’s been so distant, and then when he found out, I thought it would be worse, but he... he didn’t say much. He just looked at me like he was disappointed, and I didn’t know what to do. I wanted toleave. I wanted to walk out of there, but instead, I stood there. And when he touched my cheek, I thought... I don’t know what I thought.”

Ava’s expression softens, but she doesn’t say anything for a long moment. She’s letting the weight of what I’ve said sink in, I guess. Finally, she leans forward, looking at me intently.

“Okay, so Simon knows who you are. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less of an artist, Ella. You’re talented. You don’t need him to validate that. You don’t need anyone to validate that.”

“I know,” I say, my voice tight. “I know, Ava. But you don’t understand. My dad doesn’t think I’ll make it. He thinks I’m just wasting my time with art. He’d rather give me a gallery, push me into the business side of things. But I don’t want that. I want to make it on my own. Iwillmake it on my own. But... what if Simon could help me?”

Ava cocks her head to the side, clearly intrigued. “Help you how?”

“Well, my dad...” I pause, trying to find the right words. “He’s been so supportive of my sister Kimmy—always encouraging her, always backing her up. I think it’s because she’s engaged. She’s found somebody. But when it comes to me? He doesn’t believe in me. But maybe... if I could show him that I’m serious about this, that I’m capable of doing this on my own... maybe it would shut him up. Maybe it would prove that I’m not just hisrich daughter, that I’m my own person.”

Ava’s eyes narrow as she processes what I’m saying. “Wait. So, you’re saying Simon could... pretend to be your boyfriend? To make your dad think you’re not just some spoiled kid living off his name?”

I nod, feeling a strange mixture of hope and disbelief. “Yes. Exactly. If Simon pretended to be my boyfriend at Kimmy’s wedding—if we could make it look real—it might be the perfect way to convince my dad that I’m serious. It’s the perfect opportunity. My dad won’t question it, because he’ll see that I’m... independent. That I’m not just following his footsteps, waiting for him to hand me everything. He’ll see that I’m building my own future.”

Ava’s grin spreads across her face, and I can already tell where this is going. “You want to use Simon as yourfake boyfriendto get your father off your back. Genius. Absolutely genius. And you’ll have him by your side at a wedding, no less. It’s liketheperfect setup.”

“I don’t know,” I say, the weight of the idea starting to settle on me. “I mean, I don’t even know if Simon would agree to this. He’s... well, he’s Simon. He’s not exactly the type to pretend for anyone. And I barely even know if he likes me like that, you know? But the thing is, if I don’t try this, my dad will keep pushing me, and I’ll never get the chance to prove myself on my own.”

“You’re right. And besides, I think you’re underestimating Simon. If he sees what’s at stake, I’m sure he’ll be on board. I mean, come on. A wedding? Free food? That guy has to bedyingfor an invite.”

I laugh despite myself. “That’s not the point. I don’t want him to think I’m just using him.”

Ava smirks at me. “Ella, you’redefinitelyusing him. And he’sdefinitelygoing to help you. But hey, it’s for a good cause, right? Prove your dad wrong, show everyone that you’ve got what ittakes, and maybe... just maybe, Simon will start to realize you’re not some rich kid trying to play in his world.”

I hesitate, my heart beating faster now. “But... what if it’s not enough? What if it doesn’t work?”

Ava raises an eyebrow, her expression turning more serious. “Then you’ll figure it out. But you’re not going to know unless you try. And besides, if Simon agrees to it, maybe it’ll give you both the chance to figure out what’s really going on between you.”

I chew my lip, my thoughts racing. Could this really work? Could Simon really be the key to getting my dad off my back, to proving that I’m capable of making it on my own? And even if it does work, what does it mean for me and Simon? What wouldreallyhappen if we pretended to be in a relationship?

I’m not sure I want to find out. But maybe I don’t have a choice.

“Okay,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do it. I’ll ask him.”

Ava grins, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I knew you’d come around. I’m telling you, this is going to work. And when it does, you’ll have the perfect chance to show your dad—and Simon—just how serious you are about this whole art thing.”

I swallow hard, still feeling unsure, but I know I can’t back out now. If I want to prove to my father that I’m more than just his daughter, if I want to make it on my own, this might be my only chance.

And I can’t let it slip through my fingers.

“Okay,” I say again, a little more confidently this time. “I’ll do it. I’ll ask Simon to be my fake boyfriend.”

Ava’s grin widens. “Now you’re thinking. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

I take a deep breath and look out the window, feeling the weight of what I’m about to do. The wedding is just around the corner, and everything is about to change.

Whether I’m ready for it or not.

9

Simon

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