Page 28 of Faking It With the Single Dad

“They’re lucky to have you,” he says, his tone serious. “Luke especially. You’ve done an incredible job raising him, Bella.”

I feel my cheeks warm at the sincerity in his voice. “Thanks,” I say softly. “That means a lot.”

He hesitates, his gaze fixed ahead. “You know, I didn’t think much about family before Alice came along. But watching her grow, seeing her bond with Luke…it makes me think about what’s really important.”

I glance at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his expression. “What’s important to you, Ryan?”

He meets my eyes, his voice quiet but firm. “Making sure the people I care about know they’re not alone.”

Something in his tone makes my chest tighten, but before I can respond, Luke and Alice’s excited shouts pull us back to the present.

“We found it!” Luke calls, holding up a small tin painted bright red. Alice is beside him, grinning despite her earlier objections.

Ryan smiles at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Looks like the treasure hunt’s a success.”

I nod, my heart full as I watch the kids celebrate their victory. For the first time in a long time, everything feels right.

Later that night, after the kids are asleep in the adjoining room, I find Ryan on the balcony. He’s staring out at the stars, his expression unreadable.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I ask softly.

He smiles faintly, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m just thinking about how different life could’ve been. How different itshould’vebeen.”

There’s something raw in his tone that makes me hesitate. I’ve seen Ryan in many forms—confident, sarcastic, even a little vulnerable—but this feels like something deeper. “What do you mean?”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Do you know why I came back to Cedar Ridge?”

“To close a deal,” I say automatically.

He chuckles dryly. “That’s part of it. But it’s not the whole truth.”

I wait, sensing he needs time to find the right words.

“I came back because I’m tired of running.” His voice is low. “For years, I’ve been chasing…something. Trying to build this life, this empire, because I thought if I just kept moving, I wouldn’t have to face all the things I left behind.”

I tilt my head, studying him. “You mean Caleb.”

Ryan nods, his jaw tightening. “I lost track of him for years. I tried to find him—I did—but he didn’t want to be found. And part of me is angry at him for that: for leaving, for disappearing so completely. But the other part of me…” He trails off, shaking his head. “The other part feels guilty. Like I should’ve done more to stop him from spiraling.”

I stay quiet, letting him speak. His vulnerability is unexpected, but it also feels like a breakthrough.

“Ryan, you did the best you could,” I finally say, my voice soft. “None of this is on you.”

He looks at me, his gaze searching mine. “But if I’d been there for you—if I hadn’t been so focused on business and the distractions in my life…maybe things would’ve been different.”

“You can’t change the past,” I say gently. “All you can do is be here now. And right now, you’re here for Alice. For Luke. For me.”

He nods again, his shoulders slumping. “When Alice came into my life, I was terrified, Bella. I don’t know the first thing about being a dad. And I don’t have anyone to lean on. My parentsare gone, Caleb is…Caleb, and the people around me? They don’t understand. They see the businessman, the guy who always has everything under control. But inside, I’m a mess.”

His words hit me harder than I expected. I’ve always thought of Ryan as this unshakable force, someone who thrives under pressure. Hearing him admit his fears and doubts makes him feel more human.

“You’re doing a good job, you know,” I say softly.

He looks at me, his brow furrowing. “How do you know?”

“Because I see the way Alice looks at you,” I say simply. “She adores you, Ryan. You’re her rock. And that doesn’t happen by accident.”

He exhales and runs a hand through his hair. “I just…I don’t want to screw it up. I don’t want her to grow up feeling like she’s not enough or like she has to prove something to earn love, the way I did.”

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