Alexander
“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.”