Page 56 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“I thought we were dropping it.”

“I am, but…”

Julia slid her phone into her purse and arched an eyebrow. She wasn’t going into the restaurant with her sister until she finished that statement.

“I’m just saying that he is an adult with two adult children with him, by the way. I don’t think he should be guilting you if you want to spend a night with your family.”

“And my ex-fiancé.”

“So?” Alicia said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“So, I’m married,” Julia repeated, flashing her ring.

“Yes, everyone in the entire town can see the hundred-carat ring, Julia. But that’s not…real. If you want to reconnect with Luke, he has nothing to say about it.”

“Actually,” Julia said as she took a step toward the building, “we agreed on no extra-marital affairs, so he does.”

“Has he lived up to that?”

“Yes.”

Alicia barked out a laugh. “I doubt that, Juju. The guy’s a womanizer. The faster you’re away from him, the better you are. The way his ex-wife was acting, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not with her.”

Julia heaved a sigh as she recalled his anger when he’d found out she was the driving force behind DG Industries. Grant, reconnect with Lydia? Doubtful. That was one woman she didn’t need to worry about. “Actually, Ally–”

“Shh, I agreed to drop it,” Alicia said as they entered the dim light of the bar, leaving the cool evening air behind as they entered the warmth of the space. “Let’s drop it. Tonight is about old memories, and maybe making some new ones.”

She grinned at her sister as she tugged her to a table in the back corner. As they sat down, Luke arrived with drinks, including a Marina Mist for Julia.

Julia shifted in her seat as she smiled up at him.

“Wait, wait,” Alicia said, “you’re joining us, right?”

“Absolutely, but…I have an in with the cook, so…figured I could get our order processed faster if you know what you want.” Luke grinned at them.

Julia sipped her drink after placing her order, her hand reaching for her phone. She tugged it from the pocket but before she could check it, it disappeared from her hands. She snapped her gaze up to find her sister waving it in the air.

“No, Julia. You’re not spending the night on your phone.”

“I was just checking for–”

“He’s not texting. And if he is, he shouldn’t be.”

“I just–”

“No,” Alicia said with a shake of her head. “Julia! I haven’t seen you in close to two years. I’d like toseeyou, not you looking at your phone wondering if someone who told you to come with us is texting you.”

“I just feel a little bad, that’s all. Sierra booked this entire trip for us to spend time together after everything that’s happened, and I feel like for them, it’s been ruined.”

“I don’t see how,” Alicia said.

“Yeah, I kind of agree,” Ethan answered. “They’re free to do whatever they want. I don’t think they need you to supervise them.”

“But–”

“But what, Juju?” Alicia asked. “You’re only going to be with them for another eight months, right? Who’s going to supervise them after that on their vacations?”

The words stung her. She wondered if the lack of sleep was bringing her closer to tears than what he’d said or if the truth of the statement had hit her like a physical slap. But he was right.