Page 26 of Faking It With the Single Dad

Her gaze snaps back to mine, searching my face for sincerity. “Why now?” she asks, her tone cautious. “Why do you suddenly care?”

I lean back, running a hand through my hair. It’s a fair question, one I’ve been asking myself all day. “Because I’ve been so blind,” I admit. “For so long, I’ve been wrapped up in my own life, my own problems, that I didn’t stop to think about yours. But spending time with you—seeing the way you handle everythingwith so much grace and strength—has opened my eyes. And it’s made me realize that you’re not just some obligation. You’re really, truly amazing, Bella.”

The words linger in the air, heavier than I expected. I glance at her, noticing how her lips part slightly, like she wants to say something but can’t quite find the words. For the first time, I realize how much I’ve underestimated her, not just as a person but as a force of nature. She’s not just Caleb’s ex or the mother of his child. She’s Bella Parker: independent, driven, unshakable. She’s taken the cards life dealt her and played them with more grace and courage than I’ve ever shown in my own life.

“You’ve been through so much, Bella,” I continue, my voice softer now. “You’ve carried burdens that no one should have to bear, and yet you’ve managed to create something beautiful. Luke is proof of that. That kid is brilliant, exuberant, and full of life.”

I continue, “And that’s because of you. Not Caleb, not anyone else.You. You’ve given him a world where he feels safe and loved, even when things aren’t perfect for you. Like I said before, that’s not just admirable, Bella—that’s extraordinary.”

I pause, letting the words sink in, hoping she can feel and acknowledge the sincerity in them. “And the café,” I add. “I know it’s been far from easy, but you’ve kept it going. You’ve built a place that people come to because it feels like home. A place where they can laugh and share their lives. That’s because of you, too, and your resilience and determination. You might not see it, but you’ve created something remarkable.”

Her gaze flicks to the floor, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. “I don’t feel extraordinary,” she whispers. “Most days, I feel like I’m just barely holding it all together.”

I lean forward, closing the space between us. “But you truly are, Bella. And you don’t have to hold it all together alone anymore. I’ve spent so much time keeping my distance, telling myself it was easier to stay out of it, but I was wrong. I should’ve been here for you, for Luke, from the start. And I can’t change the past, but I can promise you this—I’m here now. For both of you. Whatever you need, all you have to do is ask.”

She looks up at me then, her eyes shining with a mix of emotions—surprise, gratitude, and maybe something else I can’t quite place. It makes my chest tighten, this overwhelming need to protect her, to be the person she can truly rely on. In this moment, it’s not about Caleb or Luke or any of the complications that have brought us to this point. It’s about her. Just her.

“You don’t have to do this,” she says finally, her voice trembling slightly. “You don’t owe me anything, Ryan.”

I shake my head. “This isn’t about owing you anything. This is about doing right by you and showing up for the people who matter. And you matter, Bella. More than I realized before. More than I ever expected.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of my own words. It’s the first time I’ve truly admitted to myself how much she means to me. And it’s not just admiration or guilt or a sense of responsibility—it’s something deeper. Something that scares me as much as it excites me.

“You’re amazing,” I say again, quieter this time. “And I don’t just mean what you’ve done or what you’ve been through. It’s the way you smile, even when things are hard.”

Her cheeks flush and she looks away, but not before I catch the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “You don’t have to say all this,” she murmurs.

“I know I don’t have to,” I say. “But you deserve to hear it anyway. You need to know how incredible you are. Because I see it, Bella. And I want to make sure you see it, too.”

Her shoulders relax slightly, the tension easing out of her posture. For the first time since I arrived, I feel like she’s letting down the walls she’s built around herself. And as I sit here, watching her process everything I’ve just said, one thing becomes abundantly clear: I’m not ready to walk away from her. Not now. Not ever. Her cheeks flush, and for a moment, she looks almost vulnerable, as if she doesn’t know how to process my words.

“And Luke,” I add, my voice softening. “He’s an incredible kid. That’s because of you. You’ve raised him to be kind, smart, and curious despite everything. And I’d be honored if my daughter had someone like him in her life.”

Bella’s expression shifts at the mention of my daughter, and I can see her walls starting to come down. She exhales slowly, shaking her head. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

“I’ve never been more serious,” I say firmly.

For a long moment, we sit there, the silence stretching between us. Then, to my surprise, she smiles. It’s small and tentative, but it’s there. “Thank you,” she says quietly. “For saying all that. And…for coming here.”

I feel a weight lift off my chest, replaced by a warmth I haven’t felt in a long time. At this moment, I realize just how much I want to be a part of her world. Not out of guilt or obligation, but because I genuinely want to be around her.

As the evening goes on, we talk, embroiled in deep conversations about Luke, about my daughter, about our lives and the ways they can fit together. And as I watch her laugh at something I say, her eyes lighting up with that rare spark of joy, I can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this isn’t as complicated as we’ve been making it.

Maybe we don’t need to have all the answers. Maybe all we need is this moment, this connection. And perhaps that’s enough for now.

Chapter Nine

Bella

The drive to the resort is quiet, at least for Ryan and me. The kids are in the backseat, and unlike us, they have no restraint, their chatter filling the car with bursts of laughter and animated stories. It’s quite comforting to watch them get along so easily. Kids can be so uncomplicated and unbothered. I glance sideways at Ryan, his hands steady on the wheel, his gaze fixed squarely on the road ahead. Being next to him feels strange. Not uncomfortable, exactly, but charged in a way I don’t know how to process.

When we arrive at the resort, I’m taken aback. It’s beautiful, rustic yet luxurious, the kind of place you’d see in a glossy magazine. I wasn’t sure what to expect when he told me about this trip, but this certainly beats my expectations. I do my best to mask my surprise as we check in, letting Luke and Alice’s excitement distract me.

After we get settled into the connecting suites, Ryan suggests a walk before dinner. I’m nervous about the idea of spending more time alone with him, but I don’t have a good excuse to say no. The kids are perfectly content exploring the rooms, and the thought of breathing in all that fresh air isn’t entirely unappealing.

As we stroll through the resort’s gardens, the tension between us grows heavier with each step. I feel him glance at me occasionally, but I keep my eyes fixed ahead, focusing on the path beneath my feet.

“So,” I finally say, breaking the silence, “what made you pick this place? It doesn’t really scream ‘Ryan Blackwood.’ It’s warm, small, and cozy, not the sort of grandeur someone of your caliber is used to.”

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