Page 44 of Faking It With the Single Dad

“Okay,” she says quietly. “Okay.”

It might not be an official declaration of love or a promise of forever, but it’s a start. And as I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly against me, I know that’s enough for now.

We stay like that for what feels like forever, neither of us saying a word. And in that silence, I make a silent vow: I will not let her down. I will not let her face life alone. Not now. Not ever.

Chapter Seventeen

Bella

“Mom, please,” Luke says, his voice barely above a whisper as he sits across from me at the kitchen table. His eyes are wide, pleading. He’s been chipping away at me for days now, but this feels like the final blow.

“I miss Ryan and Alice,” he continues, his voice earnest and small. “It’s more fun when they’re here. Can’t we all...I don’t know, live together or something?”

His words hang in the air like a heavy weight. I grip the edge of the table, trying to steady myself.

“Luke,” I begin, keeping my voice gentle but firm, “it’s not that simple. Ryan has his own home, his own life. And so do we.”

“But we’re always at his place,” Luke shoots back quickly, his brows furrowing. “Or he’s here. What’s the difference?”

I open my mouth, searching for a response, but I don’t have one. He’s not wrong. I know it, and so does he.

“Things are...complicated, honey,” I say finally, forcing a smile I don’t feel.

Luke crosses his arms tightly over his chest, his expression stubborn. “It wouldn’t be if you just said yes.”

The bluntness of his words knocks the wind out of me, and I can’t stop the soft sigh that escapes. Before I can come up with a response, the sound of the front door opening fills the room.

Ryan’s deep voice calls out, “Bella, I come bearing groceries.”

“We’re in the kitchen!” I yell back, forcing a cheerful tone. Luke doesn’t look convinced, but he slumps back into his chair with a long-suffering sigh.

Ryan steps into the kitchen moments later, grocery bag in one hand and a confident grin plastered on his face. Alice trails behind him, holding her stuffed animal with one hand.

“Smells good in here,” Ryan says as he sets the bag down on the counter.

“It’s just spaghetti,” I reply, hoping my voice sounds casual, though my heart flutters in a way that feels anything but.

“Fancy spaghetti,” he corrects with a wink. He looks between me and Luke, his expression softening as he takes us both in. “Did we walk in on something?”

Luke doesn’t miss a beat. “I was just asking Mom why we can’t all live together.”

“Luke!” I hiss, shooting him a look.

Ryan’s brows shoot up, and for a beat, he says nothing. Then he turns to me, a small, unreadable smile on his face. “Is that right?”

I glare at Luke again, but he just shrugs, utterly unrepentant. “You’re always here,” he mutters, almost to himself. “It makes sense.”

Ryan looks at me, his expression searching. “And what did you say?”

I let out a slow breath, trying to regain some control of the situation. “I said it’s complicated.”

“Hmm.” Ryan makes a thoughtful noise as he begins unpacking groceries. “Complicated, huh? Well, Luke, let me tell you something—your mom likes to overthink things.”

“Ryan—” I start, but he raises a hand, grinning at me.

“She does,” he insists, looking pointedly at Luke. “It’s one of her best qualities, actually. It means she never makes a decision lightly. It’s part of why she’s so good at running the café, and at being your mom.”

Luke seems only half convinced. “But it’s not complicated to me. I miss you guys when you’re not here.”

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