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She resisted the urge to flee from the table and hide in her closet until the storm passed.
Worthington appeared with Lydia’s martini in hand and another round of drinks were placed by every Harrington at the table except her.
She needed to keep her wits about her before she ended up doing something stupid. When she’d been in Harbor Cove, she’d nearly let the past sweep her away. With everything that had just happened with Lydia, she couldn’t lose sight of the present.
“Well, now that you’ve got your liquid strength in hand, I’d love to hear more about this business. Looks like you’re doing pretty good, Skipper. I may need to upgrade your name to Captain.” Alex shot a finger gun at him with a wink.
“I am. Thanks, Alex. Lydia actually approached me when you all were in Harbor Cove with the idea to expand the boat tours into a franchise.” He shot her a grin as she lifted her chin. “I think it’s safe to say it took off way faster than either of us expected.”
“Hold your tongue, Luke. I always believed in you.” Lydia grinned at him as she tapped his nose.
Julia arched an eyebrow at the flirty remark. She may have walked away from him, but watching your enemy flirt with your ex-fiancé was a new level of torture. The little bit of bisque she’d eaten on her first course threatened to reappear in a nasty way.
She reached for her wine, downing it in one gulp before she held the glass toward Worthington in a silent request for more.
“Wow, that sounds really interesting. I may want to get in on this,” Alex said. “Are you still looking for investors?”
“Well, we are considering an expansion to the west coast. We’ll keep you in mind, but with a healthy bottom line already, we’re not taking on anyone new right now,” Lydia said.
“What’s healthy?” Grant questioned.
Lydia flicked her gaze to her ex-husband, a smirk on her painted lips. “We’ve done over ten million in business since we started six months ago.”
Julia’s chin dropped toward her chest as she slow-blinked at the number. No wonder he had an expensive suit. She swallowed hard as she wondered how much Luke owed her.
“Well, that is healthy, Captain,” Alex answered. “Cheers to you.”
“Thanks,” Luke said with a smile and a nod before he flicked his gaze to Julia. “I just…figured it may be time to step outside of my comfort zone, do something that knocked the small town out of me.”
Julia shifted in her seat, lowering her gaze to her half-empty soup bowl. The comment stung. It was a direct hit. She’d left him twice before, concerned about their differing views on life. She hadn’t been content to offer tours and bartend at the Thirsty Seagull while she penned her novel from quiet Harbor Cove.
Their differing views on life had led to a painful break-up. One that she wasn’t certain either of them were over. But she’d still walked away months ago again. Nothing had changed for him.
She raised her eyes to him. And now everything had.
She swallowed hard. Had Lydia been clever enough to do this on purpose?
“Oh, I’m certain Lydia can knock the small town out of anyone,” Grant answered.
The tension continued at the table over the next few courses. By the time the chocolate cake arrived, Julia, a little tipsy from too much wine, was ready to abandon ship and lock herself away.
Her mind stretched to find some excuse to skip the after-dinner festivities. The evening, which had started out so hopeful, had crashed and burned quickly with Lydia’s surprise.
As they rose from the table, Julia hung back, allowing the others to filter out first. A hand slid around her shoulders, startling her.
“Hey, you okay?” Grant asked.
She glanced up at him, forcing herself to nod. “Yeah. I’m just… shocked.”
“I’m not. Lydia did this on purpose. Where is she getting the money to bankroll him, though?”
“And how deep in with her is he?” Julia asked.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
She pressed a hand against her head as a dull ache thudded at her temples. “I probably had too much to drink.”
Grant heaved a sigh. She imagined he was frustrated with her at this point. After the kiss with Kyle, the annoyance of the dinner with her friends, and now her inability to handle the arrival of her ex, he probably was ready for this contract to be over so he could send her packing.
