Except for the fact that she had one big secret that would be prime picking on the grapevine.
But she was learning to accept that she wasn’t alone and if that came out, then she’d have the support.
“Good for you,” Mitchell said. “If you care, thensomeoneelse will. We are all prepared regardless, but that is your guy’s call.” And that meant Ethan.
“You’re really okay with this?”
She was finding it hard to believe, but they were all so nice to her over the weekend. She never felt they were yanking her along or feeding her a false narrative.
“My children are the most important things in my life,” Mitchell said. “Above everything else. Money, careers, people’s opinions. If they are happy, then I am. I know he’s in love with you.”
And there the flush filled her face. “He told you.”
“He did. Almost like a giddy kid being told he was going to get the biggest stocking in the state on Christmas morning. That’s all I need to know. The rest is meaningless.”
Which overrode so many doubts in her head.
“You’re right. It is. I think I’ll have a chat with my father and let him know that the next time it’s asked of me, I’m not denying it. Or not avoiding it.”
She was positive her father wouldn’t be happy, but it wasn’t as if they talked all that much.
Funny how he wanted her here to mend their relationship yet once she started working on the same floor as him, they talked even less than when he was giving her a hard time to find a job.
“Good for you,” Mitchell said. “But again, make that decision knowing that you’ll have our family support.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”
Support from a family she’d known a few months and not from the man who fathered her.
“What are you still doing here?” Ethan asked at five thirty.
“I’m waiting until Liz leaves for the day. I wanted to talk to my father.”
“Everything okay?” he asked, coming in. “I thought you’d be gone by now. You knew I had a late meeting.”
“I’m just going to let him know that I’m not hiding I’m his daughter anymore. I’m not going to just tell people, but if someone asks again or it comes up, I’ll confirm and move on.”
Ethan smiled. “Is there a reason you’re doing this?”
Her head went side to side as she debated telling him about Colleen. If she didn’t, she was positive Mitchell would.
“Come in and shut the door.”
His smile dropped. “I’m not sure I’m going to like what you’re going to say.”
“It’s not horrible. Your father is aware.” She explained it all and Mitchell’s reaction. “See, not bad. But I’m ready.”
“That’s your call. Are you going to tell him about us?”
“No,” she said adamantly. One hill to climb at a time.
“Do you plan on ever telling him?” he asked. “Put yourself in his shoes. What if he finds out a year from now?”
She liked how he just assumed they’d still be together then.
“It won’t be that long. But a few months. No, not ready.”
“You met my father,” he said. “Maybe I want to meet your mother. She knows about me.”
