Page 27 of Believing in a Billionaire
Julia eased into the chair next to her sister and grabbed her hand. “Okay. Tell me about it.”
Alicia stared at a spot on the floor. “You know, in the first few minutes, I just…was so upset. I wanted to cry, but then I remembered I was here with you. And you were…wow, well, I was going to say really close to me, but I feel like you’re a city block away in this house.”
Julia chuckled. “I’m not that far. Okay, so you’re happy to be near me, but you’re missing Ethan.”
“Yeah, until I thought of all the stupid arguments we’ve had, then I was just mad.”
Julia sucked in a breath. “You know, when we were in Harbor Cove, you and Ethan seemed so solid. You said it was because you were distracted.”
Alicia pulled her knees up to her chest. “Yeah, we were. We didn’t…argue. We just…we worked together to try to get you and Luke back on track. We were so focused on that, I guess we forgot our troubles.”
“Are you two maybe just…in a rut because you don’t have anything exciting happening?”
“What do you mean? Juju, after so long, nothing exciting happens in your marriage, trust me.”
“Exciting is relative. Why don’t you plan a trip or take a dance class together.”
Alicia laughed. “Ethan taking a dance class? No.”
“What I’m saying is, when you had me to focus on, you two were fine. So, maybe it’s not an underlying problem with your relationship. Maybe you’re both just restless.”
“Maybe,” she answered. “Maybe the break will do us good. Hey, thanks for letting me stay here, too. I wanted to let you know that I apologized to Grant.”
“I heard,” Julia said with a raise of her eyebrows and a smile. “Grant said you two had a very nice conversation.”
“I’m glad he thought so. I tried. I’m not good at that stuff. I guess we bonded over looking at the oddly large picture of you two in the living room. Who does that?”
“Sierra,” Julia said. “Sierra does that. She had it hung right after the wedding. Grant and I both have it on our desks, too. Although, I’ve grown fond of that picture.”
“I can see why. You both look happy. Hard to believe that was fake.”
“I’m not sure it was. I think we both were a little enamored from the time we met. We just spent two years avoiding it.”
Alicia shook her head as she ran a hand through her hair. “It’s just such a strange thing, but I’m not here to judge.”
“Thank you,” Julia said with a smile before the conversation moved to other topics.
As the time ticked by, she checked her watch. “And now, I should run so I can make it to lunch with Kyle.”
“Oh, right, you’ve got Dr. Romeo on your event calendar. How does Grant feel about that?”
“I think it’s very clear to everyone now where my heart lies. Kyle and I have already spoken about it.” Julia shook her head. “And more than anything, he wants acceptance.”
“Right, acceptance. When I plant kisses on people, that’s what I’m looking for, too.”
“Very funny,” Julia said as she rose. “Seriously. He just wants to be seen as family. I was the first person to treat him like that, and he mistook it for love.”
Alicia sucked in a breath. “I don’t know how you do this with this crazy household. Better you than me. Have fun at your lunch.”
“Thanks. Oh, and if you need anything, Worthington can help. If you want to go out, just ask him, and he’ll get James to take you or loan you a car.”
Alicia stared at her for a second before she shook her head and patted the arms of the chair. “I think I’ll just stay put in the safety of this million-square-foot room.”
Julia chuckled. “Okay, well, if you’re hungry or want tea, or whatever, just ask Worthington. If you don’t, his feelings get hurt.”
“I will definitely ask him for something. You can count on me.”
Julia blew her sister a kiss before she strode from the room, heading for her office to grab her purse, phone, and keys. As her feet hit the marble floor of the foyer, she hesitated, considering checking on Grant again.
