Page 64 of Fake it With Me

When I came downstairs, Melody had already arrived and was playing some elaborate game with Daisie that involved stuffed animals and an imaginary kingdom. They both looked up when I entered.

“Wow, Mr. Sullivan!” Melody said. “Hot date?”

“Something like that.”

Daisie jumped up and ran to me, examining my outfit critically. “You look really handsome, Daddy.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Are you taking Liza on a date?”

“I am.”

“Are you going to kiss her?”

Melody laughed, and I felt my face heat. “That’s private, kiddo.”

“But you’re boyfriend and girlfriend now, so you probably will.” She said it matter-of-factly, like she’d just stated that the sky was blue. “Emma’s brother kisses his girlfriend all the time and it’s gross.”

“I’ll try to keep the grossness to a minimum,” I said solemnly.

A sound on the stairs made us all turn.

Oh, fuck me.

Liza took my breath away.

She was wearing a dress I had never seen before. It was dark blue, which somehow made her eyes even brighter. It fit perfectly and showed off her curvaceous body without being too revealing. Her hair was down in soft waves, her makeup subtle but perfect. I remembered the conversation I eavesdropped on about makeup. She definitely knew how to enhance her natural beauty.

“Wowzers,” Daisie breathed.

“Wow is right,” Melody agreed.

I couldn’t form words. Just stood there staring like an idiot while the most beautiful woman I had ever seen walked down my stairs.

Liza smiled, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Too much?”

“Not even close to too much,” I managed. “You look… I don’t have words.”

“That’s a good sign,” Melody whispered to Daisie, and they both giggled.

I walked over to Liza and offered my arm. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

We said goodbye to Daisie and Melody, with strict instructions that bedtime was at eight thirty, and no, she couldn’t stay up late just because I wasn’t home. Then we walked out to my Benz. I didn’t need the bulk and safety of the SUV. I had considered having George drive us but decided I wanted her all to myself. I knew George was discreet, but nope.

Just me and her.

Pelican was intimate and elegant without being pretentious. White tablecloths, real candles, soft music playing in the background. The kind of place where you could have a real conversation without shouting over noise.

The hostess seated us at a corner table with a view of the harbor. I ordered a bottle of wine I knew was good without being showy. When it arrived, I poured for both of us.

“To first dates,” I said, raising my glass.

“To first dates,” Liza echoed, clinking her glass against mine.

We ordered. She got the seared scallops. I got the halibut. And then we just talked. Really talked in a way we hadn’t been able to with Daisie around or the crew listening or the constant awareness that we were playing roles.