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He shot her a smile as he stalked away, leaving her with Sierra. She arched an eyebrow at Julia. “I see Luke is here. Why doesn’t he go back to Maine and take my mother with him?”
Julia scanned the room in search of Lydia. She found her sipping champagne at the bar. “I’m about to find out.”
“Seriously?”
Julia took a few steps away as Sierra called after her, “Make sure she stays there!”
She snaked around tables and other guests, arriving at the bar a few moments later. Lydia raised her eyebrows at her, taking a long sip of champagne before she centered her gaze on Julia again. “Well, have you managed to tear yourself away from your harem of men to join me?”
“I don’t have a harem, Lydia.”
Lydia glanced over the crowd. “You could have fooled me.”
“Let’s cut the biting remarks and get on with it. What did you want to see me about?”
Lydia smirked at her and set her glass down. “Why don’t we find a…private place where we can really talk?”
Lydia grasped her wrist and tugged her toward the double doors leading to the foyer. She shot a glance back at the room as she sought someone to signal. She caught sight of Grant in a far corner discussing business. Sierra and James danced together, oblivious to those around them. And she couldn’t find Kyle or Luke. That alone worried her along with where Lydia was dragging her.
“Where are we going?” she questioned, pulling back a little as they crossed the foyer.
“Somewhere private.”
“Where?” Julia asked, her pulse quickening.
“Calm down, Princess. I have a room upstairs. We can talk without being disturbed.”
Julia’s lips parted as she considered it. Should she cut and run or go? With a hard swallow, she nodded. “Okay.”
They needed to know Lydia’s next move, and she could find it out right now as long as she went along with her.
“Smart choice, Sweet Cheeks.” Lydia led her to the bank of elevators and pushed the button.
Julia glanced toward the ballroom, her heart still thudding against her ribs.
“If you’re looking for one of your knights in billionaire armor, I’m afraid they’re all otherwise engaged. I made sure of that. It’s just us hens.”
The elevator dinged, announcing the arrival of the car. Lydia arched a brow at her as Julia reluctantly stepped inside.
The scent of Lydia’s perfume filled the car as the cable pulled them higher. Julia shifted her weight from side to side, her fingernails digging into her palms.
“Nervous, Julia?” Lydia asked.
Julia pressed her lips together, trying not to show any outward concern. “No. Should I be?”
“I don’t think so, but you seem to have a flair for the dramatic. You’ve been in more high-drama situations than I can count. I half expect this elevator to get stuck with a haunting melody floating from above. You have a way of turning everything into a soap opera. Really, it’s quite a talent. I just don’t understand the appeal for Grant.”
Julia heaved a sigh. “I’m not the dramatic one in this elevator, Lydia.”
“Really? I would beg to differ.”
Julia gritted her teeth together, not wanting to wade into the waters with Lydia.
“I’m really surprised, though, Julia. Grant seems enamored, and I don’t see why. Particularly with your morally loose behavior.”
Julia’s jaw fell open at the words. “I’m not morally loose.”
“Really? Was it not you that I caught on my little camera kissing Kyle at the cabin?” She smirked at Julia. “Oh, didn’t he tell you that was my place?”
