Page 10 of Believing in a Billionaire
Her hand lingered on his before she finally tugged it away. She left the comfort of her room behind, hurrying to her car and sliding behind the wheel.
As she fired the engine, a knot tightened in her stomach. Bringing Alicia into the heart of the Harrington household was a gamble, one that could either mend fences or ignite old feuds. With each mile closer to her old apartment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was steering into a storm, one that could challenge the fragile peace they’d just found.
CHAPTER 3
GRANT
Grant’s grip on Julia’s hand tightened momentarily before he let go, a silent storm of worry for Harrington Global mixing with the longing in his heart to simply spend the day lost in her presence. The first full day of their real marriage was turning into as much of a disaster as the first two years of their marriage had been.
He’d wanted nothing more than to enjoy their real first day as a married couple he’d briefed his two adult children on their role in ensuring Julia’s happiness. The meeting had left something to be desired and then he’d received the dire call from his security team head.
The trouble at the office lingered in his mind. How could it be related to DG Industries? He was determined to find out, but a part of him didn’t want to know. He’d hoped after his ex-wife, Lydia had been arrested, this would end.
Instead, it seemed to continue as though nothing had happened to stop it.
And now the situation with Alicia. He forced himself to leave Julia’s office behind before his mind could conjure all the painful moments he’d lived through at the woman’s hands.
Her dislike of him ran deep. He worried about how she’d react to Julia’s choice to stay with him. Would Alicia hold the power to make her rethink the choice?
Of course, the timing of his work crisis would not allow him to be here when the woman arrived nor to sweep Julia away from her.
With a sigh, he stepped out of the house and into the back seat of the waiting car.
“Heading to the office on your day off, sir?” James asked as he slipped behind the wheel.
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s an emergency. I’m not happy about it, though. I wanted to spend time with Julia.”
“I’m sure Mrs. Harrington understands. She doesn’t seem to be too bothered by these things.”
Grant glanced at the passing scenery before he studied the man. “Maybe she wasn’t before, but it’s an entirely new ballgame now, James.”
James smiled, flicking his eyes into the rearview mirror. “She’s not a different person.”
“No, but she may have some new expectations of me.”
“I can’t see Mrs. Harrington being demanding. Especially when it comes to Harrington Global. She knows what it means to you.”
Grant bobbed his head up and down, trying to take solace in the man’s words. “Maybe I ought to plan a romantic dinner to make up for missing the day with her.”
“I’ll bet she’ll enjoy that.”
Grant slid his phone from his pocket and navigated to his text message with Julia.Hey, how about a special dinner tonight? Remember, you owe me for ruining my surprise.
He stared at the screen as ideas popped into his head. A quiet evening at home, perhaps? Or maybe he’d take her to the Sapphire Room, the restaurant where their relationship had begun.
A smile curled his lips. Or maybe he’d just fly her straight to Paris.
His phone chimed, and he checked his messages. Julia responded.Well, if you’re calling my marker, then I can’t say no.
The winking emoticon made him chuckle as he typed back a response.I am. And I’m not going to tell you a thing about where we’re going. Complete surprise.
He slipped the phone into his pocket as James eased the car to a stop outside of Harrington Global’s headquarters. Tension twisted inside him as he faced the looming crisis. He’d have preferred to continue to vet ideas for the dinner that would make Julia fall even more deeply in love with him.
Instead, though, he strode across the pavement to the front door and pushed inside. After saying hello to the security guard, he took the elevator to the top floor. His mood soured with every step as he got pulled further into the office drama.
“Mr. Harrington,” Evie said, her eyes round as he stepped inside her office and crossed to his, “you are supposed to be romancing Mrs. Harrington at the cabin.”
“I know. That…didn’t work out.”
