Page 19 of Believing in a Billionaire
She opened her eyes, her features melting. “It’s not normally this chaotic. It’s just that…never mind.”
Alicia shifted her duffel bag on her shoulder as Julia led her down the hall. “What?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s focus on you,” Julia said as she led Alicia into a large bedroom suite. “Okay, this should have everything you need. Bathroom there, sitting area here, and bedroom through that door.”
“This is bigger than our house,” Alicia said.
Julia chuckled at the statement as she tugged the bag from Alicia’s shoulder. “It’s not. But I hope you like it. Now, let’s get you unpacked and settled in.”
“Tea, Mrs. Harrington,” Worthington announced as he carried the tray inside.
“Thank you, Worthington.”
The man nodded before he clasped his hands in front of him. “Would you like me to unpack Ms. Alicia’s things?”
Alicia waved him away. “Uh, no. I’ll handle my own things, thanks.”
“Very good, ma’am. Is there anything else, Mrs. Harrington?”
“No, thank you, Worthington,” Julia said as he poured the tea.
The butler left them behind, pulling the door shut behind him.
Alicia puffed out a breath as she stalked across the room and plopped into one of the armchairs. “This is surreal, Julia.”
“Sorry. You’ll get used to it. I thought it was weird, too, at first. So,” she said as she passed Alicia a cup of tea, “anyway, what do you want to do? Cry? Scream? Do you want me to hold your hand or…”
“I want to know how you stand this. The two kids are weirdos. And what did you mean about it not normally being this chaotic?”
Julia’s shoulders slumped. “Grant and I…didn’t decide to stay together until last night. So…Sierra and Kyle are a little…on edge since this is so new.”
“Last night?”
“The last night of our contract. We finally had a real conversation. So this is very new for all of us. I think both Sierra and Kyle are just a little nervous that something is going to take this away. Plus, you kind of did mess with my relationship with Grant when we were in Harbor Cove.”
“Guilty. Sue me. I thought the guy was bad news.”
“Well, this is why they’re upset. They know you don’t like him, and they are afraid you’re going to undermine our relationship.” Julia offered her sister a pleading glance. “Please don’t do that.”
Alicia let her head fall back against the chair’s back. “I’m not going to do anything. I don’t want Frick and Frack to leave me in a foreign country without a passport or money.”
“Kyle and Sierra arenotgoing to do anything to you.”
“Really? Because they both seem pretty angry. And that was a weirdly specific list of things that the good doctor planned to do to Luke.”
“Luke ruffled a few feathers the last time he decided to waltz back in here and make a play for me.”
“Apparently,” Alicia said as she pulled her knees up to her chest.
“Everything is going to be fine. Perfectly fine.” Julia heaved a sigh as she sipped her tea, wondering if it would be true. Despite the bond she and Grant now shared after admitting the truth to each other and Lydia behind bars, the house seemed like a powder keg.
Her sister needed her support, but no one wanted her here. And she couldn’t blame them. Had she made a mistake in bringing Alicia here?
She hoped it didn’t lead to more trouble than this family was ready to deal with after the events of the last two years.
Before her sister could answer, a knock at the door called their attention. “Yes?” Julia called.
Worthington entered with an envelope in his hand. “I am sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Harrington, but this arrived for you.”
