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“We did. Miracles do happen,” Grant said with a slight chuckle.
She smiled up at him. “Apparently, they do. I hope it was a fruitful conversation.”
He shifted on his feet like he was suddenly uncomfortable with the situation. “It was okay. Maybe there’s hope for us yet.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. First Kyle, now Grant. Neither of them would address what they’d discussed. Why?
“Well, anyway, I appreciate you addressing it. I felt…it wasn’t my business to bring it up,” Grant said, sending an ache spiraling through her heart. “But I’m glad we’re on the same page. It’s been a long night, though, and if Lydia has another threat looming on the horizon, we should get some rest.”
She studied him for a moment before she nodded. What happened between him and Kyle that set them both on edge but wasn’t an argument? “Right. Well, good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you in the morning, Julia.”
She offered him a smile before she set her glass down and left the living room behind. As she climbed the stairs, her phone chimed. She tugged it from her pocket and glanced at the text message on her lock screen. Good news, kid, I’m in like Flynn on the Ice Queen’s accounts. Let the search for these nasty pictures begin.
She grinned at the message as she closed herself in her office and typed a thank you message back. She considered finding Grant to give him the good news, but before she could, a knock sounded at her door.
A grin crossed her face. It must be here. The conversation had been rough about Luke, maybe he wanted to have a lighter one.
“Hey, I have some–” Her words cut off, and her grin faded as she stared at the figure darkening her doorstep. “Lydia.”
“Julia,” she said with an arch of her eyebrow as she sauntered into the room.
“By all means, come right in.”
“Close the door,” Lydia responded.
Julia swung it shut, crossing her arms. “What do you want? Haven’t you done enough damage tonight?”
Lydia stuck out her lower lip. “Aww, was it hard for you? I know you have trouble being a one-man woman.”
She pressed her lips together into a thin line, her nostrils flaring as anger burned through her. “You just love torturing people, don’t you?”
A grin spread across her face. “I sort of do, yes. And speaking of that, you’re up.”
“What?”
“You’re up. It’s your turn. You’re finally at bat, sister. You’re tagged in. You’re playing the game. You’re–”
“Please stop. What are you babbling about?”
“I’m going to need something from you very soon. I expect it to be delivered or else…well, you know. And you seem so close to Sierra lately. It would be such a shame if those photos came out because of you.”
“What do you want?”
“I’ll let you know when the time comes.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. “Just be ready, Julia. When I call on you, it won’t be for a small favor. Think of it as…a pivotal moment. One that can tilt everything in my direction.” Her eyes glittered with an unspoken threat as she slammed into Julia’s shoulder on her way out of the room.
Julia collapsed into her desk chair, her heart pounding. Her mind whirled as Lydia’s threat echoed in the silence of the room. A heavy dread settled in her stomach, her hands trembling slightly. What could Lydia want? And how could she protect Sierra without unraveling everything they’d worked so hard to maintain?
CHAPTER 19
GRANT
Grant finished the last of his bourbon as his mind raced. He wasn’t certain if he felt better or worse after Julia had explained her encounter with Luke. He clung to those three words she had spoken. Luke kissed me.
The words were a subtle way of telling him she hadn’t been on board with it. Whether that was merely because of their arrangement or not, at least she hadn’t initiated it or endorsed it.
Maybe that spelled hope for their relationship. But not if Luke continued to make a play for her. She’d also said he was as involved as Lydia. It had been clear in Maine that the man wanted her back.
