Page 20 of Fake Daddy

“Darling, your ex-wife’s daughter?” The boys share a look behind her.

“Yes, again,” I sigh.

“The girl who was our sons’ sister for a time?”

Now, I’m getting annoyed.

“Yes, Mary. Darling Lavigne. We’re together. I’m hoping she’s already pregnant, and I intend to marry her and spend the rest of my life proving I’m worthy of someone like her.” I don’t mince words because I need more people in Darling’s corner in case things go bad with her dad tonight.

“Will she still do my hair?” Mary hides a sly grin behind her wineglass, and I roll my eyes.

“Jesus, woman. I’m sure she will if you ask her.”

“Works for me. The boys okay with this?” she asks, obviously not realizing they’re both behind her.

“Who do you think pushed him into it?” Tyler says.

“Well, if they’re on board, then who am I to stand in the way of young love?” She snickers at her own joke, poking at the age difference. “Can I assume you’re inviting her parents for dinner to break the news?” She waves her hand towards the food I’m preparing.

“Her dad. She told him already, but he didn’t take it well. If I have my way, she’ll never see her mother again. That narcissistic bitch nearly ended her life before it began.” I’m still fucking livid that Kelly had that much hate for her own child.

“We can stay if you need. If Darling needs,” Mary offers, the same as Tyler did.

“No, she wants to do this with just the three of us,” I explain. “I think she’ll have a hard time if he rejects our relationship, and I’m sure she won’t want witnesses to it.”

“Alright, we’ll get out of your hair, then. Give me a call on Sunday; let me know how things go?”

I nod and walk them out, promising Ty I’ll be at his game on Monday and reminding Evan about his driving lessons for the next week.

As they pull away, Darling drives up. She hadn’t wanted to be here when I told Mary about us, not wanting the other woman to feel forced into accepting our relationship by her presence.

“Flowers?” I raise a brow, seeing the two bouquets in her arms.

“I didn’t know how long you would need, so after I grabbed dessert”–she holds up a layered chocolate cake–“I thought flowers would be nice.”

Taking the cake from her, I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Everything is going to be fine, babe. You’ll see.” I hope I don’t eat my words.

We’ve barely gotten the flowers in the vase before the doorbell rings, and Darling is on the verge of tears.

“I hope he doesn’t hate me,” she whispers as I pull her into my arms before we head to the door.

Opening it, Collin stands there with a bottle of wine and a younger version of Darling beside him.

“Holy shit,” my woman mutters.

“We have some things to talk about,” Collin says as he hands me the bottle and pulls Darling in for a tight hug that makes her sob into his shoulder.

“Hi,” the young woman says to me, holding out a hand. “I’m Lilac, Collin’s other daughter.”

CHAPTER 11

Darling

A sister. Half-sister, I guess. I’m not alone anymore.

Staring at this younger version of myself, her light blonde hair and sky-blue eyes identical to mine–well, when my hair isn’t dyed–I can’t help wishing we had our younger years together. We have the same button nose, cupid’s bow lips, and short stature.

“You get it from my mother,” Dad says, obviously noticing how I’m comparing Lilac to myself.

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