Page 62 of Fake it With Me

“I suppose it does.” He pulled up a chair beside me. I noticed the way his hand briefly touched my back, a small, intimate gesture that looked completely natural. “What do you need from me?”

What followed was an hour and a half of questions and observation. Ms. Ellison asked Darek about his work schedule, his childcare arrangements, and Daisie’s routine. He answered confidently, painting a picture of a devoted father who had restructured his entire life to prioritize his daughter.

And it wasn’t a lie. Everything he said was true.

He offered to give Ms. Ellison a tour of the house, and she accepted. I stayed in the kitchen with Daisie while they walked through the main floor. I could hear Darek’s voice as he showed off different spaces.

When they came back, Ms. Ellison asked to see Daisie’s room. We all went upstairs together. I hung back as Darek showed her the space he’d created for his daughter.

It was perfect. Not in a sterile, magazine-spread way, but in a way that showed his child was loved and encouraged. Her artwork was taped to the walls. Her bookshelf was full of books at various reading levels. There was a little reading corner with cushions and good lighting and a basket of stuffed animals.

“Did you make this yourself, Daisie?” Ms. Ellison asked, pointing to a particularly elaborate drawing of a whale.

“Yes! Liza helped me with the colors. She knows all about whales.”

“Is that so?” Ms. Ellison looked at me with renewed interest.

“We went out on Daddy’s boat and saw real whales!” Daisie said with genuine excitement. “There were like five of them and one did a big jump and it was so cool!”

Ms. Ellison smiled. “That does sound cool.”

She asked Daisie a few more questions, gentle ones about school and friends and what she liked to do with her dad. Daisie answered enthusiastically, completely at ease. I could see Ms. Ellison’s assessment shifting with each response.

Daisie was a happy, well-adjusted kid with a father who clearly adored her.

After what felt like hours but was probably only ninety minutes, Ms. Ellison closed her notebook and stood. “I think I have everything I need. Thank you all for your time and cooperation.”

“Of course,” Darek said. “Whatever you need.”

“I’ll compile my report and submit it to the court within the week. Daisie is clearly thriving in this environment. You’ve created a loving, stable home, Mr. Sullivan. That will be reflected in my evaluation.”

The relief that washed over Darek’s face was almost painful to witness. “Thank you. That means everything.”

After Ms. Ellison left, the three of us stood in the foyer in silence for a moment. “Did we do good?” Daisie whispered, like she was worried someone would overhear.

Darek swept her up into a hug. “You did perfect, kiddo. Absolutely perfect.”

“Am I going to school now?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m going to have George take you. Is that okay?”

George was Darek’s driver, butler, sometimes nanny, and definitely security.

Five minutes later, it was just us.

For a second, we just looked at each other. Then he pulled me into a hug, holding me tight.

“Thank you,” he said into my hair. “Thank you for being here, for handling her showing up early and everything else.”

“You did great,” I told him. “You were calm and confident and perfect.”

“We did great. Together.” He pulled back and seemed to let out a sigh. I saw hope and relief and something deeper in his eyes.

“About that date,” I said.

“Yeah?”

“I would love to. I would absolutely love to go on a real date with you.”