Page 77 of Fake it With Me

The crowd applauded. I positioned myself near the bow, Liza and Daisie beside me. Daisie was bouncing with excitement. She loved boat launches, the drama and ceremony of it.

“Ready?” I asked the couple.

“Ready!” Jennifer said.

I slammed the champagne bottle against the hull, the glass shattering in a spray of foam and liquid. “I christen thee Seraphina!”

The boat launch team activated the cradle, and the yacht began to slide down the ramp toward the water. It happened slowly at first, then faster, until the Seraphina hit the water with a massive splash.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Daisie was jumping up and down, clapping her hands. My build team was grinning, proud of their work. And Liza was looking at me with pride and affection.

“That was amazing,” she said over the noise.

“Daisie, stay with Mrs. Carlson,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”

Mrs. Carlson, she worked for me, nodded and shooed me away.

“Come with me.” I grabbed Liza’s hand and pulled her away from the crowd, weaving between boats until we found a secluded spot behind a large sailboat undergoing maintenance. It was private, hidden from view of the party.

The moment we were alone, I pulled her against me and kissed her. Not the careful, appropriate kiss I might have given her in public, but one of those kisses that told her exactly what I wanted.

She kissed me back just as fiercely. She wanted it as much as I did.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, she laughed. “What was that for?”

“For being here. For supporting this. For looking at me like you’re proud of me.”

“I am proud of you. That boat is incredible, Darek. You built something beautiful.”

“Thank you. She is beautiful. I can’t wait to start on my next project.”

I couldn’t resist kissing her again. I wanted to get her home. Naked. In my bed.

“We should get back,” Liza said eventually, though she didn’t move away. “People will notice we’re gone.”

“Let them notice.”

“Darek, we can’t.” She laughed and pushed me away. “Stop. You’re so naughty.”

“Naughty? I don’t think I’ve been called naughty in thirty-something years.”

“Ha. Ha. Come on. I told Daisie we would get some of those desserts.”

I took her hand and we walked back to the party.

And then I had an epiphany. I was fully in love with her. It was the simple truth. I had fallen for her completely. I fell for her intelligence and her kindness. I was absolutely crazy about her for the way she looked at Daisie like she was precious.

But I didn’t know what to do about it. I didn’t know how to ask her to stay without it sounding like I was trying to extend the contract and keep her on payroll rather than asking her to build a life with me. I didn’t know how to make her understand that this wasn’t about convenience or custody or any of the practical reasons we had started this arrangement.

This was about love. Real, terrifying, all-consuming love.

And I had no idea if that would be enough.

“Daddy!” Daisie came running up, her face flushed with excitement. “Can we go on the boat? Please?”

“Let me ask them officially,” I said, grateful for the distraction.

I knew the happy couple would love to have us on the maiden voyage, but it was kind of a private thing.