Page 57 of Fake Fiancée for Dad's Best Friend
Lisa is upstairs and my dad is changing the baby’s diaper when I hear the doorbell. I rush toward the door and open it.
“Hi Alex!” I say with an extra loud pitch to cover my nervousness.
“Hi Vivi!” he answers with his usual low voice that messes up my heartbeat. Noticing how good he looks in his dress shirt and trousers doesn’t help me to calm down. Am I really going to fake marry this guy?
“Are you going to invite me in?” Alex asks with a chuckle, waking me from my silly daze.
“Yes, please,” I murmur with a blush. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Alex looks amused when he sees my dad cleaning the baby up. “Man, you’re a pro!”
My dad chuckles. “Of course I am. Want to trade places with me and give up your bachelor’s freedom?”
“Absolutely,” Alex says.
He looks serious and even a bit envious. I recall the reason he canceled the engagement with Trisha. It was because she didn’t want babies. Does he want them?
I find the answer soon as my dad lets Alex hold Noah. He makes funny faces and noises to make the baby giggle. And when he tickles the little guy with his five o’clock shadow, I’m so jealous. Alex grins like he’s gotten the best Christmas gift ever.
I have an intense desire to give him a present like that, a baby made of his own seed.
My dad chuckles. “It’s time you start a family, buddy.”
“Great idea,” Alex responds, his attention still on the baby.
“How did the fake engagement go? You haven’t told me about it, and neither has Vivian. Trisha told me there was an engagement party? And that the woman was young enough to be your daughter.”
That bitch. I tense at the information. As I glance at Alex, I see he isn’t smiling anymore. He passes the baby back to my dad and says, “Well, yeah. It’s what I’m here for.”
My dad raises his eyebrows while patting Noah on the back, waiting to hear more.
Alex clears his throat. “You see, John, the truth is, Vivian went with me.”
My dad blinks. “I know that. She said she had a good time and learned how to ride. I need to thank you for that.”
Seeing the awkwardness on Alex’s face, I blurt, “I’m sorry, Dad. I lied to you. I…err…was Alex’s fake fiancée.”
My dad is smiling at the baby when I speak, and he takes a moment to register my words. “What? I didn’t hear you right. What did you say?”
I repeat my words, though in a lesser volume.
My dad’s mouth falls open as he looks back and forth between Alex and me. “What the hell? I thought I made it clear—“
“I know, I know,” Alex says. “I’m sorry, John. It’s why I’m here to apologize.”
My dad is fuming. His nostrils flare the way they do when he gets agitated. “I won’t accept any apology. Asshole!”
“Dad!” I say. “Please. It isn’t Alex’s fault. I begged him.”
“Why? Vivian? What on earth did you do that for? Do you know what it’ll do to your future? People will think you’re a gold-digger!” he shouts. His upsetting voice must frighten the baby because Noah starts to whine.
“Lisa!” my dad shouts toward the stairwell a few times. Hearing no answer, he stands up with the baby. “I’ll be back.”
After he’s gone, I look at Alex nervously. “He’s mad.”
“Of course he is,” Alex holds my hand. “But don’t worry, he’ll come around.”
I let him convince me, although I can’t imagine how we’ll ever bring up the wedding subject.
