Page 103 of Bliss with a Billionaire

“She doesn’t have the worst taste in movies,” Julia said with a chuckle.

“She does. The last one we watched is ninety minutes of my life I’ll never get back,” Kyle said as he swiped the key and note from the table.

Grant pressed his lips together, struggling not to lash out at his son.

“I’m sure you’ll survive,” Julia said with a chuckle, the comment not seeming to bother her.

They passed their request for snacks along to Worthington before returning to Sierra’s room.

“Oh good, I was beginning to think everyone ditched me now that I’m not really family,” she said.

The comment struck at his heart despite the levity in her voice when she said it. He opened his mouth to respond when Kyle crossed to the bed and tossed himself on it. “Even without the DNA, you’re still more family than me, Sierra. Although, you should let me pick the movie.”

He swiped the remote.

Sierra puckered her lips as she glanced at her brother. “You’re probably right. Even with the DNA test, you’re still only half-family. And no, you can’t pick the movie. It’s my night.”

“You have been forcing me to watch awful movies since I got home from the hospital.”

“And I’m going to force you to watch one more. I had terrible news today. I have it coming to me.”

“Mmm, sorry, sis, not going to let you use that as an excuse. Just because you found out you’re family by choice, not by blood, doesn’t mean you have free rein.”

Grant narrowed his eyes at the scene playing out, a mix of surprise and cautious optimism filling him. The man who had once twisted the knife at any opportunity with his sharp words now held his tongue, a testament to the changes woven through him in the span of two short years.

The soft smile Julia gave him suggested she was pleased with his efforts, efforts she had likely had a hand in. He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head before they settled in the armchairs he’d dragged closer to the bed.

“We can’t watch that movie, I’ll have nightmares,” Sierra argued as he selected a horror film.

“You’re being a baby. It’s not that bad.”

“Itis. I don’t want to watch people get eaten alive.”

Kyle wrinkled his nose as she fought to grab the remote. “No one gets eaten.”

“Give me that. This is my room, and that’s my television.”

He lifted it away from her. “You’re going to make me pop a stitch.”

“I’m going to pop the stitch myself if you put that movie on,” she warned.

“Fine,” he answered, a twinge of defeat in his voice, “watch your stupid, boring movie. I just won’t pay attention.”

Sierra ripped the remote from his hands and backtracked to her pick. “You can’t stare at Julia all night, you know. She’s your stepmom, and it’s weird.”

Kyle shook his head. “I’m not. I’ve got something important.”

The opening credits rolled, and Grant threaded his fingers through Julia’s, perfectly happy to watch the sappy movie now that he’d gotten his happily ever after.

“What is that?” Sierra asked, overshadowing the opening scene.

“Nothing,” Kyle answered.

“It’s something,” she answered. “Let me see it.”

Kyle shifted away from her.

“I demand to know what that is,” Sierra said, unable to mask the sharpness in her voice. “Spill it, Kyle.”