Page 4 of Faking It With the Single Dad

“Well, you’ve picked the best place in town,” she says with a wink as she slides a key card across the counter. “Room 204. I’m finishing my shift soon, but let me know if you need anything. Anything at all.”

Her smile falters when I don’t respond. Alice shifts in my arms, her head resting against my shoulder, and I know she’s tired.

“This way,” the receptionist says, grabbing her clipboard and leading us to the elevator. Her voice has taken on a softer tone, but I’m not buying it. I’ve seen that look before. They think a kid means vulnerability or an opening to something more. Not happening.

The elevator dings, and just as I step in with Alice, my phone buzzes in my pocket. The name on the screen makes my jaw tighten: Vance.

“One second,” I mutter, stepping back out and answering the call. “Blackwood.”

“Ryan,” Vance says hoarsely. “We need to move the meeting up. One hour earlier.”

“I just got into town,” I snap. My patience is hanging by a thread, and I swear if this man—

“And?”

“That’s not going to work.”

“Not my problem,” Vance says. “Take it or leave it.”

“Are you kidding me?” I pinch the bridge of my nose and try not to raise my voice. “Fine. I’ll be there.”

The call ends with a click, and I shove the phone back into my pocket, muttering a curse. Alice looks up at me with wide eyes, her little face falling.

“Do you have to go again?”

I crouch down so we’re at eye level, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll be back soon, I promise. And when I am, we’ll go for a walk, just you and me. Sound good?”

She nods slowly, though her lower lip juts out in a pout. “Promise?”

“Promise,” I say, holding out my pinky. She hooks hers around mine, and I kiss her forehead before standing up. That’s when it hits me that I can’t just leave her here alone.

I turn to the receptionist, who’s leaning casually against the wall, watching us with what I can only describe as amusement. “I need a sitter,” I say bluntly. “Any recommendations?”

She hesitates, then glances at her watch. “Well, my shift is ending in ten minutes. I could stay with her until you return if you’d like.”

My instincts scream no. I don’t know this woman, and the last thing I want is to leave Alice with a stranger. But I’m desperate, and the clock is ticking.

“You sure?” I narrow my eyes.

“Positive,” she says with a wide smile. “I love kids. And she seems like a sweetheart.”

Alice clutches my hand. “Daddy, can she stay?”

“Fine,” I say finally, pulling out my wallet. “I’ll pay you for your time.”

“Oh, no need.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Consider it a favor.”

Favor or not, I make a mental note to set up a camera in the room before I leave. I won’t take any chances. Thankfully, I brought one with me, and setting it up behind the mirror on the vanity takes only seconds. “Alright,” I say once I’m done, and hand her the room key. “I’ll be back in two hours, tops.”

“Take your time,” she says with a smile, but I don’t miss the way her eyes linger as I step into the elevator.

I feel guilty about leaving Alice behind. But this deal needs to be handled, and once it is, I’ll be one step closer to leaving Cedar Ridge behind for good. The last thing I want is my daughter being uncomfortable in any way. It’s bad enough that she has no maternal figure in her life since her mother, Ria, left us. My plan was to marry Ria and have kids later. But after one reckless night, Alice was born. Ria and I weren’t married yet, but I loved our daughter completely. I loved Ria, too…or so I thought. But she had bigger dreams than building a family with me. She wanted to sip champagne on private jets and go on lavish holidays. So, one day, she packed her bags and just…left.

I’ve just pulled out of the parking lot when my phone rings. Aunt Linda’s name comes up, and I immediately expect the worst. Her voice thunders across the receiver.

“Ryan Theodore Blackwood! Why didn’t you tell me you’re in town? Where are you? Why didn’t you drive up to the family house?”

I roll my eyes as I tighten my grip on the wheel. I’ve not even been here for ten minutes, and she’s somehow heard about my arrival.

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