Page 34 of Betrayal of a Billionaire
“I’m not sure anything has changed really. Same tables, same chairs, same tunes on that jukebox, same pictures on the wall.”
Grant clenched a fist again as the woman made another passive-aggressive remark.
“How about a dance for old times’ sake?” Ethan asked.
“Good idea,” Alicia answered. “I’ll just pick a song. You don’t mind if we borrow my sister, do you?”
Julia wrinkled her nose at her sister. “Actually, Ally, it’s getting late. We should–”
But Ethan was already dragging her from her seat. She shot Grant an apologetic glance and a shrug over her shoulder as music filled the bar.
Grant ordered another bourbon, needing the meager balm to soothe his nerves. At least his wife was only dancing with her brother-in-law.
He sipped the alcohol, biding his time until he could get her away from the people who very clearly hated him. He hoped they wouldn’t taint Julia against him, but he worried they may.
The music changed, and he flicked his gaze to the dance floor, expecting to see Julia returning. Instead, his heart sank.
He stared at the image of them changing partners. Ethan handed Julia off to Luke, giving her a gentle push on her back straight into his arms.
Julia hesitated, but Luke did not, scooping her up as Etta James’sAt Lastblared from the jukebox.
The mix of emotions clouding her eyes made his knuckles turn white as he clutched his bourbon glass. The easy way sheslid an arm onto his shoulder, the soft glance at him through her eyelashes, the natural closeness that seemed effortless, all of it made his stomach turn.
As Julia and Luke moved together, Kyle downed the rest of his scotch, letting the glass clatter to the table. “Well, this stinks.”
“Tell me about it,” Sierra answered, her arms crossed tightly and a frown on her made-up lips. “Worst trip ever.”
Grant couldn’t agree more. Through everything they’d been through, he never thought he’d lose her like this. But it appeared the family vacation that was supposed to bring them together, may very well tear them apart.
CHAPTER 8
JULIA
Julia smiled up at her brother-in-law as they swayed to the music.
“It’s good to have you back here, you know?” he said with a smile.
Her smile faltered for a second before she plastered it back onto her face, though it never reached her eyes. Was it good to be back? She missed her friends and family desperately, but the pull between her past and present was becoming overwhelming. After a terrible night’s sleep and all the emotional baggage of the day, her mind threatened to melt down.
“Rough day?” he asked her.
“You could say that.”
He slid a lock of her hair away from her face. “You look tired, Juju.”
“I didn’t get much sleep last night after that fight with Ally.”
“She loves you. She just wants the best for you.”
Julia couldn’t answer. After coming face to face with her past, she had no idea what was best for her.
“Why are you with him, Juju? You belong here with us.”
“Please, Ethan,” she finally said. “I’d really just like to enjoy being at home without answering dozens of questions.”
“All right,” he said. “I’m sorry. I just…Ally told me what’s going on. Julia…”
“I don’t need a lecture on my decisions of late.”
