Page 146 of Seal the Deal

My voice barely holds steady. “Love you, too.”

When I return to the table, Alex looks like a storm cloud, and Zoe looks smug, lounging back in her chair like a queen.

“Everything good?” I ask, slipping back into my seat.

“Peachy,” Zoe says sweetly, her eyes glinting. “Just catching Alex up on all the time he’s missed.”

“How’s Jake?” Alex asks with thinly veiled sarcasm.

“He’s great,” I reply, my tone clipped.

Zoe doesn’t miss a beat. “Jake's always great.”

Alex glowers, but doesn’t rise to the bait. He ignores Zoe and turns to me. “So I’ll pick Noah up from school tomorrow, since you haven’t organized anyone else.”

I freeze, caught off guard. I glance at Zoe, who’s already eyeing Alex like she’s about to pounce, but she says nothing. I realize I haven’t arranged any other option. Between my meeting, Nina taking Meadow to her party, Jake out of town and Zoe away on business tomorrow, there’s no-one else.

I want to say no. I want to tell Alex to fuck off and stop playingpretend dad. Stop trying to catch me out for this twisted custody case he’s trying to build. But I have no choice. I swallow the anger, forcing a calm.

“Fine,” I say, swallowing my anger. “But don’t be late. I’ve got my presentation, and I don’t need any more stress.”

“Relax, Lottie,” he says, smirking like he’s already won. “I’ve got it under control.”

Zoe’s eyes nearly roll out of her head, but she bites her tongue, taking a deliberate sip of wine.

Once the kids are excused, Zoe helps me clear the table while Alex leans back in his chair, scrolling through his phone like he owns the place.

“So, Alex,” Zoe continues to stack plates as she speaks. “What’s it like pretending to care? Exhausting, or does it come naturally now?”

Alex lowers his phone, his smirk icy. “You’ve always had such a way with words, Zoe.”

She shrugs, unbothered. “Oh, I try. But you know me—I’m all about the truth. And the truth is it must be tough to keep up appearances when you’re barely in the picture. Lucky for you, Jake’s here to pick up the slack.”

Alex’s fingers grip his glass like he’s picturing hurling it at her. His nostrils flare, but he keeps his voice smooth. “I’m their father. No one isholding it togetherfor me.”

“Right,” Zoe says, voice dripping with mock sympathy. “You’re their father... when it’s convenient.”

“Zoe,” I interject softly, but she’s already locked in.

“Relax, Charlie,” she says, not taking her eyes off Alex. “Just clearing up a few things. Like how dropping by now and then doesn’t magically make you dad of the year. Turns out, parenting is a full-time gig.”

Alex rises slowly, shoulder squaring as he steps toward her, deliberately invading her space. “This isn’t any of your business.”

“Oh, it absolutely is,” Zoe shoots back, unfazed. She tilts her head, voice almost sweet. “See, Charlie’s my best friend. Which means when you waltz in here with your fake concern and manipulative bullshit, it becomes my business. And spoiler alert—I’m really good at calling it out.”

His jaw ticks, but the smirk remains. “You’re such a bitch, you know that?”

She takes a slow sip of her wine, savoring it like she has all the time in the world. Her smile is slow and dangerous as she takes another deliberate step closer.

Daring him.

“Oh honey, if I’m a bitch, it’s because men like you have made me one. And guess what? I’ve gotten really fucking good at that, too.”

“You’re unbelievable,” he sneers.

“And you’re predictable,” Zoe sighs, casting an unimpressed glance at her freshly manicured nails. Like he's barely worth the effort. “But hey, don’t worry—the kids arethriving. Jake’s a fantastic role model. They’re lucky to have someone who actually shows up.”

Alex’s grip on his glass tightens, and with a loud clink, he sets it down harder than necessary.

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