"Is she fine with saying you're dating? That will make you look more stable in front of the judge."
"She's okay with it." I wasn't sure what it would mean for us, other than pretending to be together when we were in public and with my family. It sounded easy enough.
"I'd start being seen around town. Let your family know, so they can spread the word. The idea is that you're dating someone seriously, and she's great with your kid."
I rubbed my hands together. "I can do this."
"Make it convincing. The more in love you are, the more the judge will see you as the stable family. Oakley wants to take your kids to bars, and you're at home concerned about dinner and bedtime routines."
"You're making me sound boring."
Ashton smiled. "We want you to be the responsible one."
My jaw tightened. "And Oakley's not going to look good."
"That's the plan. I'll file the paperwork. You work on convincing everyone that you're happily in love with Blake, enjoying this little family that you've created."
I was attracted to her, so it shouldn't be a stretch. "Okay."
At home that night, I waited for Lilliana to be in bed before I searched for Blake, who wasn't in her room. I finally found her outside on the patio, where she was curled up on the couch with a book in her hands.
I sat on a chair near her, not trusting myself to sit any closer. I needed to maintain some distance between us.
"How did it go with Ashton?" she asked softly.
"He thinks it's time to file the paperwork and tell everyone that we're together. Oakley already mentioned you to her attorney. They're concerned that there's a strange woman living with Lilliana."
Blake shook her head. "I can't believe she's taking it this far."
"She's been like this since she found out she was pregnant. Looking back, I knew she was prone to drama, but I never thought she’d take it this far."
Blake sobered. "What do we need to do?"
"We're going to my family's this weekend for dinner. We can tell them about us then. But we should be seen out and about."
"Maybe we could go grocery shopping together," she said.
"We should probably do something more date-like."
Blake frowned. "What is there to do on the island?”
"We could go on a bike ride, get ice cream." Those were simple things that I'd never done with Oakley. She preferred going out for dinner or drinks.
"That sounds nice. And how do we let everyone know that we're together?"
"We hold hands, we touch, kiss—" Even though I was attracted to her, we didn't have that kind of relationship yet. Would it be awkward to do it for the first time in public?
Blake giggled nervously. "Should we practice? Get used to being around each other like that?"
I grinned at her suggestion. "You could sit in my lap."
She blanched at that. "I'm not quite ready for that."
"Maybe we should dance then." I hit Play on a sultry song and stood, holding my hand out to her. Dancing was a good way to be close to someone. With Oakley, I'd had to stifle my romantic side because she didn't like it.
Blake set her book aside and placed her palm in mine. She stood and moved toward me. My heart was beating hard as I pulled her close.
The song had her hips naturally swaying. I'd assumed a more formal position to dance, one I'd seen done at weddings, but she moved her hands so that they were looped around my neck. Not sure where to put my hands, I gripped her hips which brought her chest against mine.
