Page 22 of Faking It With the Single Dad

“Do we introduce each other to our families?” I ask.

Her smile fades, and she looks down at her drink. “I’m not sure about that.”

“Why not?”

She hesitates. “Because of Caleb.”

Ah. I nod slowly. “I get it,” I say gently. “But you don’t have to worry about him. If he tries anything, I’ll handle it.”

She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. “You’d do that?”

“Of course,” I say firmly. “I won’t let anyone mess with you or Luke.”

Her lips curve into a small smile, and for the first time tonight, she looks truly relaxed. “Thanks, Ryan.”

The kids return to the table, interrupting our conversation. They’re laughing and holding hands like they’ve been best friends forever.

“Dad, can Luke come over sometime?” Alice asks, her face glowing with excitement.

“Can I, Mom?” Luke chimes in.

Bella and I exchange a look, and I nod. “Sure, why not?”

This may lead somewhere, after all.

Chapter Seven

Bella

I’m standing in front of the mirror, holding up dress after dress, groaning at each one. Nothing feels right. This isn’t just any party—I’m going with Ryan. The thought makes my stomach twist, but I shake it off. It’s not like it means anything. I’m just playing my part.

“Are you seriously still trying to pick a dress?” Lacy asks, flopping onto my bed like she owns the place. Her curly hair bounces as she grins at me. “Girl, you’ve tried on half your closet. Just pick something.”

I glare at her in the mirror. “It’s not that easy, Lacy. I don’t want to look…ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous? You’re going with Ryan,” she says, stretching out his name like it’s some fancy title. “You could wear a potato sack, and he’d still look at you like you hung the moon.”

I feel my cheeks heat up. “No, he would not,” I snap, turning back to the pile of clothes on the bed.

“Oh, please,” she teases as she rolls onto her stomach. “You’ve seen the way he looks at you. And don’t act like you don’t think he’s fine.”

“He’s not fine,” I say quickly, but the way my voice hitches at the end betrays me.

Lacy gasps and sits up like she’s discovered the world’s biggest secret. “Youdothink he’s fine! Bella, oh my God, you’re blushing!”

“I am not!” I whip around to face her, but that’s just plain stupid, as she can now confirm that my face is burning.

“You are so red right now.” She points at me and laughs. “Just admit it—Ryan is hot.”

I cross my arms. “He’s…okay, fine. He’s attractive. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Sure, it doesn’t,” she says with a wink. “You keep telling yourself that.”

I groan and turn back to the mirror. “Can you just help me pick a dress?”

Lacy hops off the bed and starts rifling through my clothes like she owns them. “You need something that says, ‘I’m confident, but I’m not trying too hard.’” She pulls out a dress and holds it up. “What about this?”

The dress is a soft, dusty rose color with thin straps and a flowy skirt that stops just above my knees. It’s simple but elegant. I take it from her and hold it against my body, looking in the mirror.

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