“Daddy, this is your best braid yet.”
I smile down at my work. “I think you’re right, baby.”
Thank God for the girl dads of YouTube who post hair tutorials. Learning how to style Giuliana’s curls was one thing, but learning how to do a French braid is something else entirely.
I spin her around so she’s facing me on the bathroom counter. “Let’s go through our checklist one last time. Do you have your toothbrush?”
Giuliana pops up one finger in the air. “Check.”
“Do you have your pajamas?”
“Check.”
“What about mini-Ellie? Did you pack her?”
“Check.” Her little lips turn into a frown. “What if I miss the real Ellie? I’ve never slept without her before.”
“I know your first sleepover is a big deal, but I think you’re going to have so much fun that you won’t even have time to think about real Ellie. And any time you miss her, you can squeeze the stuffed version of her.”
“You promise you’ll snuggle her in the big bed?”
I stick out my pinky. “I promise.”
She twists her tiny finger around mine and kisses her thumb. “What are you going to do tonight, Daddy?”
“I’ll be here hanging out with Ellie.”
“Will you miss me while I’m gone?”
“Of course, I’m going to miss you. I always miss you when we’re not together. But I’m so excited for you to have fun with your friends from school.”
As much as I hate the thought of my little girl being old enough to have a sleepover at her friend’s house, I’m beyond excited to have Aarya over for dinner.
My body has been buzzing with nerves since she texted me last night saying she wants to talk about the fake marriage agreement.
Have I thought about how I’m going to tell her that I have a kid? No.
Do I think Aarya will be cool with it? Also no.
But I texted Cassidy and asked for Aarya’s favorite meal, so I’m hoping that my cooking can convince her to do this with me.
Annie leans against the doorframe with Giuliana’s coat in her hand, and her eyebrows jump. “Wow, I think that’s your best braid yet.”
I puff out my chest. “Thanks. I’m getting better at it.”
“Practice makes you better. Right, Daddy?”
I lift Giuliana off the counter and set her down on the tile below. “Right. There’s no such thing as perfect but—”
“You can always try your best,” she finishes.
Annie shakes her head on a smile. “All right, Giuls. Say goodbye to Daddy. It’s time for your big girl sleepover.”
“Big girl sleepover! Big girl sleepover!” she chants.
I crouch down in front of her and cup her sweet face. “Use your manners while you’re there, and make sure you don’t eat too much candy so you don’t get a bellyache.”
“I’ll be the bestest girl, Daddy. You’ll see. I’m gonna do so good at my big girl sleepover.”
“I know you will, baby.” I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight, inhaling a lungful of her sweet scene. “I love you so much.”
“I love you more.”
“Nope, impossible. I love you the most.”
“I love you more than all the grains of sand in the entire world.”
“I love you more than all the blades of grass.”
“I love you to infinity.”
She squeals as I lift her into my arms and hold her above my head like an airplane headed into the hallway. “To infinity and beyond!”
We let Giuliana have a moment with her dog before Annie takes her hand and leads her onto the porch.
Annie shoots me a wink. “Have fun tonight, Alexander.”
My stomach clenches in a tight ball. “Will do.”
Fun.
Nothing about this messed up scenario is fun.
Maybe if Aarya were coming over for an actual date, and not to discuss the large sum of money she’ll be getting if she agrees to enter into a marriage of convenience with me…
But no. Thanks to my grandfather, my life can’t be that simple.
I straighten up the bathroom after Annie and Giuliana leave, then vacuum Ellie’s hair off every square inch of the house before making sure everything is tidy in our bedrooms. Not that I’m expecting Aarya to venture into my bedroom tonight, but she might want to check out the space she’ll be living in at some point.
I pause in the doorway of Giuliana’s room. Pinks and purples; Disney princesses; baby dolls and puzzles. I try to imagine Aarya having a tea party dressed in a pink tutu—because apparently, we’re not allowed to dress down for tea parties in this house—but I can’t picture it.
This isn’t going to work. Introducing Aarya to Giuliana’s world will be like forcing a square peg into a round hole.
What the hell am I doing?
Nerves swarm me like bees, stinging me everywhere and causing panic to constrict my throat.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket, and my shoulders jump. Cassidy’s name lights up the screen, and I scramble to swipe my thumb across it.
“Hey, Cass. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just checking in on you.”
“Pfft. I’m fine. You don’t have to check on me.” I rub my sweaty palm against my jeans. “I’ve got everything under control here.”
“You’re out of breath. You just got finished anxiety cleaning your house, didn’t you?”
“Yes, yes I did.”
She chuckles. “It’s going to be okay, dude. You’ve got this. You’re charming and handsome and sweet and—”
Trenton’s voice blares through the speaker. “And your ass is almost as nice as mine.”
“In your dreams, Trent.” I laugh, releasing some of the tension in my shoulders. “I’m just nervous because either way, her decision holds a lot of weight. If she says no, I’m right back where I started in jeopardy of losing the villa. If she says yes, I have to figure out how to keep her happy, protect my daughter, and convince the world that this is legit, all at the same time.”
“I know it’s a lot of pressure,” Cassidy says. “But you have to keep reminding yourself of two things. One: You’re doing this in the name of your parents, because they wanted you to have this house.”
I nod. “And two?”
“Aarya is my best friend in the entire world. I’ve known her forever, and I wouldn’t let either one of you venture into this scenario if I didn’t trust that everything will work out.”
I blow out a long stream of air through my lips. “I wish I shared your optimism.”
“I know she doesn’t seem like it, but Aarya is a big softie under all that snark. She wears her attitude like armor, but it’s only to protect the big heart she has underneath it.”
“That helps. Thanks, Cass.”
“Text me if you need me. You got this, Krum Cake.”
Thirty minutes go by after Cassidy’s pep talk, and I’m feeling calmer than I was. The house is clean, Giuliana is taken care of for the night, and the food smells delicious. I’ve handled everything within my control, and I have to let go of whatever I can’t. One step at a time. We’re not walking down the aisle tomorrow. Tonight, we’re just having a conversation. Two friends having a casual dinner.
I can do this.
The doorbell rings and my heart stalls out.
I can’t do this.
Ellie lets out a loud bark, and I pat her head. “Quiet, girl. Don’t scare her away.”
Flipping the dish towel over my shoulder, I make my way to the front door and take a deep breath before swinging it open.
Aarya is in a black sweater that falls over one shoulder, accenting her brown skin and midnight hair. Dark-denim jeans hug her curves, tucked into black boots. Her signature red lipstick has me biting into my own bottom lip, wishing I could sink my teeth into hers instead.
“Wow,” I breathe out. “You look incredible.”
“And you have a dog.” She peers around me. “A big dog.”
“She’s very friendly.” I glance over my shoulder at Ellie, who’s sitting patiently several feet away, tail sweeping back and forth against the floor. “She’s blind and half-deaf, so she might bump you with her nose.”
“Is she a rescue?”
“She is. Nobody wanted her, and they were going to put her down. I couldn’t let that happen.” I step aside and hold open the door for her. “Please, come in.”
She shoves a white box against my chest as she walks inside. “I brought dessert.”
I glance down at the square box, and a smile stretches across my face.
Crumb cake.
Ellie’s nose goes up in the air as she picks up Aarya’s scent. She moves toward our new guest, and nudges her leg with her nose. Then she jumps up on her hind legs, her tongue lapping at the air.
“Down, girl.” I gently tug her down, and flash Aarya an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry. She never does that.”
“It’s okay.” Aarya brushes off her sweater. “I have a cat, so she probably smells him.”
I almost blurt out the words, Giuliana has been dying for a cat. She’s been asking for a kitten ever since her friend Makayla got one last month. But we have our hands full with Ellie, and I don’t know the first thing about cats.
Instead I say, “You’re not a dog person, I take it?”
Aarya scrunches her nose. “Not really. They’re slobbery and gross.” She glances down at Ellie. “No offense.”
“That’s okay.” I stroke the top of Ellie’s head. “I think cats are snotty and mean.”
Ellie sneezes like she agrees.
Aarya scoffs. “They’re independent and elegant.”
Well, we’re off to a great start here.
I lead her down the hall and into the kitchen. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Hell yes.” Her eyes bounce around room. “I was surprised when you sent me your address. I didn’t realize you lived in the suburbs.”
“It’s quieter here. Not many people know where I live.”
“It’s definitely more private.” She perches on a stool at the island. “It smells amazing in here. Where did you order from?”
I glance at her over my shoulder as I reach for a glass in the cabinet. “I didn’t order.”
“You know how to cook, Big Man?”
“I do.” I pull out the cork from the wine bottle with a pop, and fill the glass before sliding it over to her. “My mother taught me. I was always in the kitchen with her growing up.”
She smiles as she wraps her fingers around the glass stem and raises it to her lips. “Did you make one of her recipes tonight?”
I gesture to the pots simmering on the stove. “Spaghetti and meatballs.”
“No way.” She hops off the stool and scurries over to the stove, peering over the pot simmering on the burner as if she doesn’t believe me. ‘Oh my god. This is my favorite meal.”
“I asked Cassidy what you liked to eat.”
Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “Why wouldn’t you just ask me?”
I hike a shoulder. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“You didn’t need to go through all this trouble. We could’ve ordered a pizza.”
All this trouble? It’s just dinner. Has no one cooked her a simple meal before?
“Feeding you is the least I can do if you’re really going to do this with me.”
She arches a brow. “You offered me one-hundred-thousand dollars. That’s more than enough.”
“It’s just money.”
“Says the man who has plenty of it.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I pause and inhale a slow breath. “This is a big deal. If you agree to marry me, your whole life will change. You’ll be forced into the spotlight, and the media will watch and judge every little thing you do, or don’t do. It’ll be a lot different than the life you know now. And sure, the money is great, but I don’t want you to think that’s the only thing you’ll be getting from me. We’re in this together, and even though the marriage will be fake, the way I treat you won’t be. I’m going to make sure you’re happy and taken care of in every way possible because you’re helping me keep my parents’ villa. I’d be devastated if I lost it, and you’re giving me a way to keep it. So, this is more than a business transaction to me. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll never be able to thank you enough for helping me.”
Her dark eyes bounce between mine like she’s trying to decipher whether I’m feeding her bullshit.
I let her look, because she won’t find it.
Her voice is low when she finally speaks. “I almost talked myself out of coming here tonight.”
“I’m really glad you didn’t.”
I reach out and twist one of her loose curls around my index finger, unable to stop myself from touching her in some way. I want to hug her, to wrap my arms around her and hold her against me so she can feel just how much I appreciate her for being here. But Aarya is like a skittish animal, and I don’t want to scare her away being too much too soon. I can be…intense. And that’s not what she wants. She’s doing this for the money, so I need to keep things as objective as I can.
I drop my hand and turn to twist the knob and shut off the flame under the pot. “Besides, if you cancelled, you would’ve missed out on this amazing dinner I slaved over.”
“Amazing, huh?” She lets out a laugh and some of the tension leaves the room. “I’ll be the judge of that. Where are your plates? I’ll set the table.”
I direct her around the kitchen while I drain the water from the spaghetti and mix in the sauce. Then we carry everything into the dining room. Ellie trots over to her bed, and lies down not too far from the table.
“Your house is beautiful,” she says, taking the seat across from me.
“Thanks.” I watch as she twirls the spaghetti around her fork. “You say it like you’re surprised.”
“It just doesn’t give off single hockey player vibes.”
“What kind of vibes does it give off?”
Her eyes roam around, bouncing off the furniture. “I would’ve guessed that a guy named Dan lives here. He’s an accountant, or something in finance. He has a wife named Brenda, and they have two kids—Sawyer and Jackson. They take the kids to baseball practice. Maybe Dan’s the coach. Brenda is definitely a PTO mom. She bakes for all the school events and Dan spends his Sunday’s golfing.”
I blink at her. “That is oddly specific.”
She grins as she lifts her fork to her lips. “Like I said, this place isn’t a bachelor pad.”
She’s not too far off base.
This would be the perfect time to tell her about Giuliana…
“Oh my god.” Aarya clamps her hand over her mouth as she chews. “This tastes so fucking good. Holy shit.”
My eyebrows lift. “Yeah? You like it?”
She cuts a meatball in half and shoves it into her mouth with the spaghetti still in there. “I can’t believe you made this. This is the best sauce I’ve ever had.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I watch her with amusement as she moans over the meal I made, pride bursting from my chest. “But what I don’t understand is, out of all the meals that exist in the world, why are spaghetti and meatballs your favorite?”
She twirls another forkful of spaghetti. “My mom never cooked unless it was a frozen pizza or something she could pop in the microwave. But I’d see families sitting down to have a meal together on TV, and it seemed like they were always eating a big bowl of spaghetti. They just looked…happy. And I guess that’s something I never had—big family, homemade dinners. My father was off having that with his real family while my mother and I ate ramen every night.”
I swallow as I set my fork down on the table. “I’m sorry he left you both.”
She hikes a shoulder as if she’s unfazed by it. “He’s a lying piece of shit. I’m glad he left before I met him.”
I could never dream of doing that to Giuliana. It makes me sick just thinking about it.
She clears her throat, bringing me back to the present. “So, how long would we have to be married for? I was talking with Celeste, and she said it would have to be long enough to seem legit. But who determines what’s legit?”
“I’m not sure.” I pick up my fork again. “There’s nothing in the will that states how long I have to be married for. It just says I have to be married in order to get the house. So, I think that works to our advantage.”
She nods as she chews. “I think six months to a year would seem solid enough. You always hear about celebrities getting married and divorced quickly.”
I choke on a piece of spaghetti. “You’d be willing to do this for a year?”
“You don’t want your grandfather reneging on the stipulations, do you?” She sips her wine before she continues. “We have to show him that we’re serious, until we’re not. You’re getting this house and there’s nothing he can do about it. It’s go big or go home.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “There’s my spitfire.”
She rolls her eyes and hides her smile behind the wine glass. “Honestly, I’m doing this for purely selfish reasons. One-hundred-thousand and home-cooked meals like this? One year will be a drop in the bucket.”
I chuckle. “You’ll have to let me know what other meals you like. I’ll make sure the fridge is stocked while I’m at away games.”
“Would I have to come with you to away games?” She chews her bottom lip. “I don’t know how often I could take off of work.”
I sit forward, leaning my elbows onto the table. “You do what you’re able to do. I’d love to have you there, whether it’s away or a home game. But if you’re not into it, then it’s not a big deal.”
She spins the stem of the glass, staring down at it. “What about sleeping arrangements? Would we be sharing a bed?”
“I have a nice-sized guest room. Several of them, actually. You can take your pick, and make it your own. You’ll have your own bathroom and as much privacy as you want.”
“Okay, because—” She pauses and holds up her index finger. “Do you hear that?”
I glance around the room, straining to hear what she’s hearing. “What?”
“It sounds like buzzing.”
My phone.
I jump up from the table and bolt into the kitchen. There’s only one person who could be calling me right now. Sure enough, there are two missed called already on the screen while the phone rings in my hand a third time.
I swipe my thumb across the screen. “Annie, what’s wrong?”
The sound of Giuliana’s wailing blares through the speaker. “Daddy!”
My stomach drops to the floor. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”
“Giuliana fell while they were jumping on the bed,” Annie says. “Her arm hurts. I’m on the way to the hospital. We should be there in eight minutes.”
My heart pounds in my throat. “I’ll meet you there. It’s okay, baby. Daddy’s coming. I’ll see you soon.”
Shit, shit, shit.
Aarya’s voice reminds me that I’m not alone. “Everything okay?”
I shake my head and swallow around the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
She steps into the kitchen and touches my arm. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
I shove my phone into my pocket, and look into her worried eyes. “I have to go be with my daughter.”
