"Of course."
His hand settles around me, firm but respectful, as he draws me closer. The cameras explode in a frenzy of flashes.
"Eyes forward. Smile for the camera," he murmurs, his tone low and commanding.
I angle into my best pose, letting myself lean slightly into his warmth.
"Good girl."
The words send an unexpected jolt through my entire body, settling into a very specific and surprising ache down south. Well. That's…interesting. Seems I have a praise kink. Or maybe it's just a Grant kink.
"Dad!"
Grant's warmth disappears as he steps away, his attention completely captured by a small girl running toward him. Hescoops her up with practiced ease and settles her on his hip like she's his whole world.
"Hey, nugget! You look like a beautiful princess." He kisses her cheek, and the tenderness of the moment makes my chest do funny things. "Hazel, meet my friend Sophia. We're working together on a brand-new movie."
His daughter gazes at me with eyes that mirror Grant's exactly—same warm brown, same depth. She offers a shy wave, her tiny fingers curling in a way that melts my heart instantly.
"Hi, Hazel," I say, waving back. "I'm honored to meet you. I've seen your pictures all over your dad's office."
A soft giggle disappears into Grant's shoulder just as a stunning brunette appears. The woman slips her arm through his and settles her hand on Hazel's back. The easy way Hazel leans into her touch speaks volumes.
My dress suddenly feels like a boa constrictor. Of course Grant has someone this gorgeous in his life. So much for Blair's intel about him not dating. Maybe he doesn't date because he doesn't need to.
"Oh, Sophia Ford! I loved you inThe Great Alone! Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. She can do no wrong. You were incredible. So deserving of that Oscar!"
Her genuine enthusiasm makes me feel guilty for the jealousy churning in my stomach.
"Thank you," I manage, accepting her warm handshake.
A PR assistant waves us toward the interview hubs before introductions can continue, and we're swept into the press line. Grant takes point with the first reporter, describingour project with the kind of passion that made me fall for it in the first place.
"It's a survival thriller wrapped in a deeply personal story. The protagonist is a big-city executive forced to return home to care for her mother, and suddenly, she's dealing with a potential landslide that could destroy the entire town. It's not just about physical survival but also about the emotional weight of holding on to what matters most. We wanted the stakes to feel incredibly real and relatable while still delivering those nail-biting moments people love in a survival drama," Grant says, sounding both polished and passionate.
"I also thinkSurvivoris about the lengths we go to for the people we love," I add, my voice soft but sure.
The weight of Grant's gaze hits me like a spotlight. When I dare look his way, the intensity in his eyes steals my breath—too raw, too real for this circus of cameras and microphones. Something unspoken passes between us, drawing taut like a wire about to snap.
A reporter's polite cough breaks the spell. Heat floods my cheeks as I wrench my attention away.
"It sounds fantastic! It's going to be agony waiting over a year to see the film!" the reporter exclaims, oblivious to the charged moment that just passed.
Grant shifts back into his polished, charming demeanor, thanking her for her kind words as we're ushered toward the next interview. I follow, trying to steady my breathing and shake off the lingering effect of his gaze, but it clings to me, persistent and unshakable.
We move through the rest of the interviews until I'm pulledaside for solo comments. I'm in mid-answer for the dreaded "Are you dating anyone?" question (the answer is always no, in case you're wondering) when I spot Grant rejoining the brunette and Hazel. The sight shouldn't sting, but it does.
By the time I finish, the crowd has thinned, and I find Grant waiting near Wyatt. My stomach flips. Did he wait for me?
The hope vanishes as Hazel runs over, waving something in her hand and chattering excitedly. The brunette guides her up the stairs just as I approach.
"Good luck tonight, Sophia. Enjoy the show," Grant says, flashing one of his practiced, charming smiles.
"You, too, Grant." I match his tone and grab Wyatt's arm as we climb the stairs.
"What a perfect little happy family," I whisper, my tone tinged with longing.
Wyatt's questioning eyes zero in on me, his confusion plain in his gaze.
