Page 117 of Pucking Daddy

Another buzz. This time from Danny.

Danny:

You okay? How was the wedding night? *wink, wink*

I set the phone face-down. Danny will have to wait.

Right now, I need to focus on the task list growing in my notebook: affidavits from colleagues, PR strategy confirmation with Simone, testimony preparation with Jaxon's attorney.

Each item feels like a small battle in a larger war I'd never expected to fight.

But here I am. Fighting anyway.

The scent of brewing coffee mingles with something sweeter—Lily must have convinced Mrs. Henriksen to make pancakes.

I hear the clatter of dishes, the pad of small feet against hardwood, and then a flash of movement as Lily appears in the doorway.

"Zara, are you doing homework?"

I smile, capping my highlighter. "Grown-up homework. Very boring."

"That's silly. Grown-ups don't have homework." She climbs onto the chair beside me, peering at the papers with undisguised curiosity. "What are all these words?"

"Important stuff for your dad." I smooth a hand over her hair, still sleep-tangled despite Mrs. Henriksen's best efforts. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Lily considers this, her expression grave. "Is it about the court place? Daddy said I might have to talk to someone there."

My chest tightens. "Maybe. But if you do, all you have to do is tell the truth. That's it."

"The truth about what?"

"About what makes you happy. Who takes care of you. What your life is like." I tuck a curl behind her ear. "Easy stuff."

She nods slowly, seeming to accept this. "I'd tell them about you. How you make the best grilled cheese and know all the words to the dragon song and don't get mad when I accidentally use too much glitter."

I swallow past the sudden thickness in my throat. "That's—yeah. That's good."

"And Daddy. How he reads me stories even when he's tired and always checks for monsters even though he says monsters aren't real." She pauses. "And how he smiles more now that you're here."

Before I can respond, Mrs. Henriksen calls from the kitchen.

Lily hops down, already distracted by the promise of breakfast, leaving me alone with the documents and the echo of her words.

He smiles more now that you're here.

I press my palms flat against the table, steadying myself. This isn't supposed to be complicated.

I am here for a job—a job that has evolved into something stranger, something that involves fake marriages and real feelings and a little girl who has somehow carved out space in my heart without asking permission.

My phone rings, and it’s Danny.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Zara.”

His voice is… off.

My stomach tightens immediately. “Hey. What’s wrong?”