Page 20 of Faking It With the Single Dad

Luke clings to her hand, his head swiveling to take in the restaurant like it’s the most fascinating place he’s ever been. I can’t take my eyes off the kid. He’s a smaller version of Caleb—same sharp jawline, same messy hair that sticks up no matter how much you try to comb it down. The way he glances aroundthe room with that curious, restless energy? That’s Caleb all over again.

It’s like I’m seeing my brother for the first time in years, and it hits me like a punch to the gut. Caleb left us five years ago, and this kid is all that’s left of him.

Bella doesn’t know I’ve been keeping tabs on Luke. She thinks this is the first time I’ve seen him, but I’ve watched him grow from a chubby toddler into the bright, spirited boy standing before me. It wasn’t hard to find out where they were living after Caleb left. I couldn’t stay away, not when I knew Caleb had walked out on his family like he did on ours.

“Dad,” Alice says, tugging my sleeve. “Is that them?”

“Yeah.” I stand, my palms damp. “That’s them.”

Bella spots me and offers a hesitant smile. I wave her over, and she makes her way to the table.

“Hi,” she says softly, stopping just in front of me.

“Hi,” I reply, clearing my throat. “You look nice.”

“Thanks.” She glances down at her dress and then at me, her smile growing more confident.

I turn to the kids. “Alice, this is Bella and her son, Luke. Bella is…a good friend of mine.” I pause, then add, “She’s my girlfriend.”

Alice’s eyes widen. “Your girlfriend?”

Bella blushes, but she recovers quickly. She looks at Luke. “Luke, this is Ryan. He’s my…boyfriend. And this is his daughter, Alice.”

Luke grins at Alice. “Hi! I like your shoes!”

Alice beams. “Thanks! I like your hair.”

Within seconds, they’re chatting like they’ve known each other forever. They start comparing their favorite video games, and before I know it, they’re giggling over some joke I don’t understand.

Bella and I exchange a look, and she exhales in relief. “Well, that went better than I expected.”

“Yeah,” I admit, sitting back down. “They hit it off fast.”

The kids finish their introductions and ask to explore the restaurant’s little play area in the corner. I nod and watch as they scamper off together.

“She hasn’t been this happy in a while,” I say, mostly to myself.

Bella’s gaze softens. “Neither has Luke.”

I glance at her. “Are we doing the right thing?”

She hesitates, then lifts her chin. “I’m too desperate to back out now. If the kids are happy, then…whatever backlash comes, I’ll handle it.”

“Fair enough.”

A waiter appears to take our drink orders. Once he’s gone, Bella folds her hands on the table. “So,” she says, her voice lighter now. “We should probably talk about the terms of this…arrangement.”

I smirk. “Terms, huh? Doesn’t that make it sound so official? Plus, I believe we’ve said everything that needs to be said.”

She rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean. If we’re going to fake a relationship, we need rules. Boundaries.”

“Alright.” I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table. “What’s on your mind?”

“For starters,” she says as she taps a finger on the table, “are we seeing other people during this?”

I raise an eyebrow. “You mean, like, dating on the side?”

She nods.

---