Page 36 of Faking It With the Single Dad

Her words hang between us, and I feel something shift. It isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about her, too. About the way she’s quietly supported me without judgment, about the strength she’s shown through her own life. Bella is more than a confidante; she’s someone who makes me want to be better.

“You know,” I say after a moment, my voice lighter now, “I didn’t expect this when I came back to Cedar Ridge.”

“What? A chance to unload your emotional baggage onto an unsuspecting café owner?” she teases, a small smile breaking through her seriousness.

I chuckle, grateful for the reprieve. “Something like that. But seriously, Bella, thank you. For listening.”

Her cheeks flush slightly and she looks down, embarrassed. “You don’t have to thank me, Ryan. That’s what friends do.”

Friends. The word feels strange, maybe even inappropriate for what’s building between us. But I don’t push it. Not yet. Instead, I give her hand a gentle squeeze and let myself appreciate the moment—something I haven’t done in far too long.

“My past is heavy,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “And it shaped me in ways I didn’t even realize until much later in life. I built walls to keep people at a distance…just like you have. So I understand that it feels easier that way…safer.”

She nods, her eyes never leaving mine. “But it doesn’t have to be that way forever.”

I let out a dry laugh. “You sound like my therapist.”

“Maybe I missed my calling,” she teases, though her smile fades quickly. “Seriously, Ryan. You’ve been through a lot, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. You’re allowed to let people in.”

“I’m trying,” I say, and I mean it. “But it’s not easy.”

“I know,” she says softly. “But you’re not alone anymore.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I find myself leaning closer, drawn to the warmth and understanding in her eyes. For a brief moment, it feels like everything else fades away—the café, the world outside, the weight of my past. It’s just me and Bella, and the space between us feels impossibly small.

I reach out, my hand brushing hers on the counter. “Bella, I—”

The shrill ring of my phone cuts through the moment, and I curse under my breath as I pull it out of my pocket. The screen flashes with a familiar number, and I sigh. “Sorry. I have to take this.”

Bella steps back, giving me space. “Go ahead.”

When I get back after the call, I can’t help but notice that she’s back to her usual cagey self. I try my best to explain the moment we had before the call came in.

“It’s okay,” she interrupts, glancing up. “You don’t have to explain.”

“But I want to,” I say firmly. “That moment—it wasn’t nothing. At least, not for me.”

She freezes, her eyes searching mine. “Ryan, we agreed this was fake. Just a business arrangement.”

“I know what we said,” I reply, stepping closer. “But things have changed…haven’t they?”

Her silence speaks volumes, and I feel a flicker of hope. “Bella, I don’t want to pretend anymore. Not with you.”

She lets out a shaky breath, her hand tightening around the rag she’s holding. “This is dangerous, Ryan. If we let our hearts get involved, there’s no going back.”

“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” I say quietly.

She looks at me, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You don’t have to decide right now,” I say, gently taking her hand. “Just…think about it. About us.”

Chapter Thirteen

Bella

It’s one of those rare mornings when the café is quiet, maybetooquiet. The sound of the bell above the door snaps me out of my thoughts, and when I glance up, I see Ryan walking in. He’s dressed impeccably as always, in a sharp navy blazer and dark jeans, but the tight set of his jaw and the faint crease between his brows tell me something’s off.

“Good morning,” I say, trying to sound cheerful even as I watch him sink onto a stool by the counter.

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