And judging by his expression, he had no idea Grant was her father.
“Does she know he’s married?” Grant asked.
“I don’t know.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I’m about to find out.”
I caught his arm.
“Not yet.”
He looked at me.
“If she’s your daughter, she deserves to hear the truth.”
“She does.”
“But if she didn’t know about me, she’s not the person who lied to me.”
Grant studied my face.
“What are you suggesting?”
I looked toward a small stage where a jazz trio had been performing earlier.
A microphone rested beside the keyboard.
For the first time that evening, my hands stopped shaking.
“I think Evan has had the advantage long enough.”
Twenty minutes later, Grant Holloway stepped onto the stage.
Someone lowered the music.
Employees began turning toward him.
Evan was still near the dock with Paige.
I stood at the edge of the crowd.
Grant tapped the microphone.
“Everyone, could I borrow your attention for a minute?”
Conversations faded.
“First, thank you for coming. Hartwell has had a demanding quarter, and I know your families have tolerated more late nights than they should.”
A few people laughed.
My eyes remained on Evan.
He wasn’t laughing.
Grant continued.
“I normally save announcements for Monday mornings, but tonight has presented an unusual opportunity.”
Paige looked toward her father.
Her smile brightened.
“Dad?”
A ripple of surprise moved through the nearby employees.
Evan turned sharply toward her.
I watched confusion cross his face.
Grant smiled.
“Paige, come up here.”
She laughed and climbed the stairs.
Evan remained perfectly still.
Grant kissed his daughter on the cheek.
“I haven’t seen this one nearly enough since she moved away.”
Then he looked at Evan.
“And apparently she brought someone she’d like me to meet.”
Paige glanced toward Evan.
Her smile became shy.
“Dad…”
“Bring him up.”
The crowd began murmuring.
Evan didn’t move.
Paige gestured.
“Come on.”
Someone near me whispered, “Isn’t that Mercer?”
Evan finally walked toward the stage.
Each step looked painful.
When he climbed the stairs, Grant extended a hand.
“Grant Holloway.”
Evan stared at it.
“Yes, sir. Obviously.”
Paige laughed nervously.
“Evan, you look terrified.”
He was.
Grant kept smiling.
“So. Evan.”
“Yes?”
“My daughter tells me you two have been seeing each other.”
Paige blinked.
“Dad!”
“What? I’m a father. I’m allowed one embarrassing question.”
The crowd laughed.
Evan didn’t.
Grant continued.
