He bristled at the statement. “He deserved some of that.”
“Neither of you deserved anything the other one said last night. That’s the problem here. You just…both were tired and stressed and as usual, you go right for each other’s throats.”
“Well, he gave as good as he got, Julia. He blames me for everything.”
“I know. It’s going to take him a long time to get over that instinct. And you don’t deserve that, but he’s…vulnerable.”
Grant shifted his gaze away from her, his jaw clenching.
“I know you don’t want to hear that–”
“I don’t,” he said as he leapt from the bed and paced the floor. “He’s not as vulnerable as you think. He’s…trouble.”
“He’s troubled, not trouble,” she answered.
“Oh, Julia, please.” His frustration rose as her sympathy continued to go toward his son. “He plays on your sympathies every time. That’s how he continues to get away with the nonsense he pulls.”
“That’s not true. I’m not blind, Grant. I understand he can be manipulative. And believe me, I had the same thoughts about what happened at the cabin–”
“Then why are we even having this conversation? You know what I said to him last night was right. Maybe Lydia asked him todo it, but he did it willingly.” Grant collapsed on the edge of the bed again. “Julia, he has a thing for you. He was all too happy to kiss you, camera or not.”
She heaved a sigh, her features pinching again as she reached for his hand. “I’m so sorry about those pictures. I shouldn’t have gone along with his plan.”
“Please stop apologizing for something that is Kyle’s fault. He manipulated you, too, Julia.”
“And now it’s costing you big.”
“It’s not. It’s handled. I just have a few more calls to make, but it’s practically old news at this point. There’s nothing to worry about, Julia. Outside of your health, that is.”
“Are you sure? You seem tense.”
“I’m tense because my lovely wife who finally is my real wife has nearly died twice in a week’s time. It’s fine, Juls.” He did his best to plaster a smile on his face. He’d also feel better once the stock grab by Lydia was blocked. Then he could get their marriage on track. He needed to give her the perfect life before she decided this nonsense wasn’t worth it.
“Are you sure?”
He leaned forward to plant a kiss on her lips. “Yes. I’m sure. Now, can I trust that you’re going to sit here and focus on your recovery?”
She tugged her lips into a wince as Alicia walked into the room.
The blonde shrugged, throwing her hands to the side. “Not there.”
Julia flicked an upset gaze from her sister to him.
“Julia,” he said as he grabbed her hands, “he’s fine. Please stop worrying.”
She pressed her lips together.
“Juls, come on. He’s just cooling off.”
She nodded, though the worry clouding her eyes never left.
“Look, if it means that much to you, I’ll…give him a call when I finish with the board members.”
She raised her eyes to his, a smile spreading across her features. “Really? Thank you.”
“Of course. Now, please, stop worrying, okay?”
She nodded with another smile.