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The look of confusion on both Ava’s and Alex’s face was unmistakable. Ava licked her lips as she lowered her gaze to her lap, though Alex didn’t back down. “The original old lady is still in residence?”
Julia winced as she rose and slipped her arm through his again. “Yes. It’s…complicated.”
Ava flicked her gaze up and smiled. “Well, we certainly understand complicated, don’t we, Alex?”
“That we do,” the man answered. “Will the lovely first First Lady of Harrington House be joining us for dinner?”
“If we’re lucky, no,” Grant answered.
Alex flicked his eyebrows up. “Depends on how to define lucky.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Grant asked.
“I, personally, would like a crack at the chief witch’s phone.”
Grant mulled over the man’s words. He had a point. The sooner they got this over, the better. Before they could discuss it further, Sierra pounded her way into the room, eyeing the other two people.
“Sierra,” Grant said, wondering how well Alex’s strange personality would go over with his mean girl daughter. “There you are. Meet Alex Stone and his wife, Ava.”
“Sierra Harrington,” his daughter said as she thrust her hand out.
They all shook hands with Alex remaining surprisingly mum about his work to secure pictures of her. Maybe the man wasn’t stupid after all.
“So, you’re friends with Julia?” Sierra asked after a sip of sherry.
“Climb into the way-back machine because our relationship goes back decades,” Alex answered as he settled on the couch next to Ava.
Sierra scrunched her features as she stared at Alex. Kyle strode into the room and poured himself a scotch.
“Hey, there he is. Grant Junior.”
“Please do not call me that,” Kyle retorted.
“Whoa, uptight, huh?” Alex asked. “You know, I…may be able to hook you up with some…de-stressing tips. If you catch my drift.”
“Are you suggesting that I use some sort of illegal substance to relax?”
“Mind stopping the car and letting me out before you race to the next conclusion? I merely meant maybe try meditating or aromatherapy.”
“I think everyone’s just a little on edge. We’ve had a rough few weeks, and Sierra and I were in a little accident last night,” Julia said.
“Oh my goodness, are you okay?” Ava asked, her eyes flicking between Sierra and Julia.
“Yes, thankfully, we’re fine. But it was a long night. I’m afraid everyone’s still a little tense.”
“Dinner, sir,” Worthington announced before anyone else could speak.
“Excellent,” Grant said, pleased to move the night along. “Shall we?”
He and Julia led the way to the dining room, settling at the head of the table. Julia took the seat around the corner from him, which he much preferred than when she sat a table away from him at a formal meal.
Alex grinned at him as he settled into a seat at the other end of the table. A table away was the best place for the odd man who promised to save his daughter, but his son Kyle made the seating arrangement a little more unpleasant. He glared at Kyle as he settled into his seat with a smile at Julia.
Alex stared at his son. “So, Grant 2.0, are you a mini-me in all respects? Does energy flow through your veins, too?”
The smile faded from his son’s face, but an amused grin crossed Grant’s.
“No,” Kyle said, his voice a low growl, “I’m a doctor.”
