Page 96 of The Overtime Persuasive

“I am,” I respond. There’s a bump against my hand and a moment later Liam wraps his around mine. It’s warm, and safe, and…probably the first time I’ve left one of my dad’s shows holding someone’s hand I wasn’t related to.

“Were you worried I’d embarrass you?”

I crack up. “A little.”

“I’m wounded.” He brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles before letting go and pressing a hand to his chest. “I can be charming if required.”

When we reach the end of the hallway, where a security guard waits to escort us toward the private exit, I reach into my bag and pull out my phone to check the time.

An email notification fills the screen. National Gift Guide Finalist Segment—Taping Confirmed

I stop in my tracks.

Liam makes it several steps before he realizes I’m no longer beside him. He turns around and walks back to me.

“What is it?”

I hold up one finger, the universal sign for “hold, please” and read the email. The words blur the first time I read them. So, I blink and start again.

It’s short and sweet. There’s a word that says “congratulations” and then I slightly black out. My finalist segment has been scheduled at a local studio. I need to arrive with a completed Side B Holiday Collection Box, be prepared to discuss the inspiration behind it, and allow up to two hours for filming.

The date is two days from now.

“Oh my—” I hold the phone out to him, unable to relay the news myself. “They confirmed the taping.”

His smile spreads. “Eva.”

“It’s in two days,” I continue, shocked. “I have to be at a studio to present my subscription box to the judges!”

“You’re going to be on television.”

“I have to speak on television while cameras record it for a national broadcast.” I freeze as I say the words out loud. “What if I screw this up?”

The question escapes before I can stop it.

This is what I wanted. Not television specifically, but the chance for Side B to be seen. The chance for someone to choose something I created without Dad’s name opening the door first.

Now, I have to walk through that door alone. My stomach twists. Maybe Dad could stay an extra day. The thought comes fast. He knows cameras. He knows how to handle interviews and make a room relax around him.

But the moment Dad enters that studio, I become his daughter again. The segment stops being about Eva Barlow, owner of Side B, and becomes a charming story about James William’s little girl building a business. I can’t do that.

“Lucy might be free,” I say. “She’s good in situations like this. She could come and make sure I don’t accidentally say something weird.”

Liam reaches for my hand. “I’ll go with you.”

I look up from my phone. “What?”

“I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“What time do you need to be there?”

I look at the email. “Twelve forty-five.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at twelve fifteen so we get there in time.”

“What about practice?” My fingers tighten around his.