Page 74 of Fake it With Me

“I’m not playing house. It’s called a stable home. I understand that’s not something you’re familiar with.”

“It must be very convenient, moving into that big, beautiful house, enjoying all the perks of Darek’s wealth. I assume you’re being well compensated for your time?”

The implication was clear, and it made my blood boil. But I kept my voice calm, pleasant even. “I’m in it for the perks. Such amazing perks.”

If I was a man, my comment would be the equivalent of peeing on all the trees on Darek’s property. I was marking my territory.

And she knew it.

I saw the anger and maybe even a hint of jealousy flash through her eyes.

“You think you can just waltz in and replace me? That you can be her mother because you’ve been here for what, a few weeks?”

“I don’t need to replace anyone. The position was wide open. I guess the last person had some kind of… midlife crisis. Bailed. Freaked out. Hard to say.”

I felt Darek. I didn’t have to look behind me to know he was there.

Fuck.

He was probably not going to appreciate me having another catfight with his ex.

“Sasha,” Darek said. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m her mother. Of course, I would be here.”

I snorted.

She looked at me with her lips pressed in a thin line. The air between us crackled with hostility.

“The judging is about to start,” Darek said. “Maybe you should check out the competition.”

“The competition doesn’t matter,” she snapped. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then why are you here, Sasha?” I asked, unable to help myself. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re here to make a scene and upset your daughter.”

“I don’t need parenting advice from someone who’s being paid to babysit.”

“That’s rich coming from someone who walked away from being a parent entirely.”

Sasha’s face flushed. “You’ve known her for what, a month? And you think you understand my daughter better than I do?”

“I think anyone in this room understands your daughter better than you do. From what I’ve seen, you’re still more concerned with your image than anything that doesn’t directly make you prettier or richer.”

“We should look around,” Grant said.

Sasha sneered at me. “We’ll see how smug you all are next week. The hearing is on Thursday. I hope you’re ready, Darek. I hope you’re ready for Daisie to move in with me.”

“Over my dead body,” Darek said, his voice low and dangerous.

Sasha’s smile was triumphant. “We’ll see what the judge says about that.”

She turned and walked away, Grant following in her wake. I watched them go, my heart pounding, wondering if I had just made everything worse. I couldn’t explain it. That woman got under my skin in a way no one ever had before.

Daisie was looking at me with wide eyes. “Are you and Mommy fighting?”

“No, sweetheart,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just a grown-up conversation. Nothing for you to worry about.”

I wanted to kick myself for engaging with Sasha at all. For letting her bait me into a confrontation in front of Daisie.