Page 26 of Fake it With Me

She did, pulling ahead of Darek’s car by half a length.

“That’s my girl!” I cheered.

Darek glanced over at his daughter. I saw the exact moment he made a decision. His car slowed just slightly, enough that Daisie pulled further ahead. It was subtle. If I hadn’t been watching him, I might have missed it entirely.

“Yes!” Daisie shrieked as she crossed the finish line first. “I won! I beat you!”

“You sure did,” Darek said, climbing out of his seat. “Fair and square.”

But I had seen it. I had seen him let her win, and something about that simple act of love made my chest ache.

Daisie was bouncing with excitement. “Did you see, Liza? Did you see me win?”

“I saw! You were amazing! Watch out Denny Hamlin!”

She frowned. “Who’s that?”

I laughed and shook my head. “He’s a driver.”

Darek arched a brow. “A driver?”

“NASCAR.”

“You watch NASCAR?”

I shrugged. “Not religiously. Old habits.”

“I’m going to play the dance game,” Daisie declared and dashed away.

We followed behind her.

“You let her win,” I said quietly to Darek.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You slowed down on the last turn.”

“She’s seven. She needs to win sometimes. Builds confidence.”

“You’re a good dad.”

“I’m trying to be.”

After watching her dance, Darek moved on to the claw machine. I almost warned him it was a money trap, but then I remembered his house.

He could afford it.

Darek finally won a turtle that Daisie immediately named Shelly. Obviously, he could have bought twenty of the silly things, but it was the thrill of winning.

By the time we left, it was late afternoon, and Daisie was dragging. The sugar crash was very real. Darek carried her to the SUV. She was asleep before we even left the parking lot, the turtle clutched in her arms, the friendship bracelets still on her wrist.

I looked back at her from the passenger seat and felt that dangerous ache again.

“She had a good day,” Darek said quietly.

“So did I.”

“Yeah?”