Page 55 of Betrayal of a Billionaire
“I don’t know what you’re saying.”
Julia pulled onto the road, aiming for Luke’s restaurant. “I’m saying you and Ethan have been pushing us together since you found out I was back in town.”
“We have not been.”
“Oh really? Showing up at the Pelican and taking over our dinner then setting up that dance wasn’t part of your plan?”
Alicia flicked her gaze at the passing scenery. “Just nostalgia taking over. Come on, sis, I haven’t seen you in how long? Sue me for wanting to see you as much as I can right now.”
Julia heaved a sigh as she came to a stop at a crossroads. “And what about you and Ethan?”
“What about us?”
“Are you serious?” Julia glanced at her sister before returning her eyes to the road. “You were calling me in tears. Now, suddenly, you two are fine?”
“We’re not fine, but we’re better.”
“How did that happen?”
Alicia heaved a sigh. “Maybe it’s you. Maybe you’re our good luck charm. Maybe you should just stay in town so my marriage works out.”
“Ally…”
“All right, all right. But I’m only half joking. I mean, since you’ve been back, I guess we’ve been so focused on…”
“On?”
“You,” Ally said, setting her gaze on her sister. “Our problems are melting in the background because we’re focused on helping you.”
“I don’t need your help, Ally.”
“Don’t you? You’re married to a guy for all the wrong reasons, his son is into you and has also kidnapped you, his ex-wife lives with you. And you ran from Luke for this?”
Julia let her elbow rest against the car’s door, sliding her fingers into her hair. She didn’t want to explain it. She wasn’t even certain she could. And she wasn’t certain how she felt about anything anymore.
“Never mind,” Alicia said as the restaurant came into sight. “I don’t want to lecture you. I don’t want to get into it until you’re ready. I just want to have a nice evening out with my sister and our friends. Okay? Let’s drop it.”
Julia pulled into a parking spot and threw the shifter into Park with a nod. “Okay, that sounds good. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad your problems aren’t as prevalent. Maybe you can work past them, then.”
Alicia offered her a fleeting smile before she swung her door open. “Let’s go.”
Julia slid to the ground, tugging her phone from her purse.
“Juju?” Alicia called.
“I’m coming, just a second.” She swiped into her text app, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. After a second of wavering, she typed out a quick message to Grant and sent it.We’re at the Pelican if you change your mind.
Something about the way he’d looked when she last saw him made her send it. She wasn’t sure why, but the trip didn’t seem to suit him.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
She glanced up to find Alicia hovering in front of her. “Oh, uh, texting Grant…just in case he changes his mind.”
Alicia screwed up her face. “Julia…”
“What? I’m married to him.”
“Not really. I don’t like this at all.”
