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Sierra left them behind, and Julia found herself alone with Grant and Kyle. She puffed her cheeks out as she blew out a breath. “Well, that was a long night.”
Without a word, Grant stalked to the drink cart and poured himself another bourbon. She wondered what had happened when he’d returned after spotting her kiss with Luke. Alex had never told her.
No matter what happened, she needed to address it.
“Well, I’d better go to bed. I have an early shift tomorrow. But I will have plenty of time for other things, too.” Kyle polished off his drink and set the glass down with a glance at his father.
Julia tugged her lips into a frown at the words. She also hadn’t determined what he and Grant had been talking about that hadn’t resulted in an argument. And now it seemed like he wanted to be anywhere but near her before she asked again.
That made her even more nervous about this strange dynamic between them. Although not more nervous than being left alone to explain that kiss to Grant.
As Kyle hurried from the room, she flicked her gaze to him. She tried to remind herself that he likely didn’t care. The guilt coursing through her–mainly caused by the feelings she harbored for him–weren’t returned and even if they were, they would likely be fleeting.
Maybe he felt a pang of jealousy because he didn’t like to lose, but no sooner would he win before he looked for his next conquest.
The reminder did little to ease her nerves as she shuffled closer to him and poured a brandy. After a sip, she flicked her gaze up to him. Her heart thudded in her chest as she reluctantly brought it up. “I think we need to talk about what happened earlier.”
The tension in his jaw suggested he preferred not to discuss it, but she needed to get the guilt off her chest.
He shifted his eyes sideways, away from her. “There’s really no need for that. I–” His voice seemed to hitch, and the tightness around his eyes suggested a guardedness that she couldn’t unravel. “Lydia seems to be pushing for drama at every turn.”
Julia knitted her brows, trying to pick apart the statement. “But there is.”
He shifted his gaze to her, questioning in his eyes that almost seemed like need.
“We agreed to no outside relationships. Luke kissed me. And I made it very clear that we are still married.”
A storm of unidentified emotions passed through his eyes as he flicked them down to his bourbon. “I’m certain that was encouraged by Lydia.”
Julia’s shoulders slumped, wanting to give in to that excuse, but she couldn’t. “I really want to believe that, but…”
“But?” he asked.
“I’m afraid Luke is just as deeply invested in this as she is. I don’t think Lydia would have been able to pull this off if he hadn’t been so willing.”
“So, he’s staking his claim. Does he know? About us? Did your sister tell him?”
Julia nodded. “Yes. He knows. He’s known since we were in Maine.”
Grant slid his eyes closed. “Do you think he’d tell Lydia?”
“No. Ally knows she doesn’t know. I’m sure she told Luke. As much as Lydia is using him, I think he’s using her, too.”
“I’m not certain that’s possible when it comes to Lydia.” He took another sip of his drink.
She sighed. “Well, at any rate, I feel awful about what you walked in on, and I wanted to let you know that I’m committed.”
He shot her a glance that seemed questioning.
“We have enough on our plates without Luke’s interference. Anything that happens like that is not because I’ve encouraged it. I just…want us to be on the same page. Especially after what Kyle told me Lydia said.”
“What did she say?”
“Something like none of this would matter soon. I don’t know what that means and neither did he. But…I don’t like it.”
Grant sucked in a breath, some of the tension in his shoulders seeming to release despite the ominous words. “I don’t either.”
“Did he say anything to you about it? He said you talked without arguing, but he wouldn’t say about what.”
