Page 128 of Bliss with a Billionaire

A sharp pang squeezed Julia’s heart, each word from Alicia echoing in the hollow space of her chest. She wondered how much longer she’d have with her sister before she left. While she loved her family, she’d miss Alicia. Maybe they could stop by Harbor Cove before or after their trip to the Hamptons.

She pressed her lips together, putting on a brave face for her sister. She couldn’t blame Alicia for going home. When she hadn’t been home in over a year, Alicia had expressed the same sadness.

She now knew what her sister had gone through while they were separated. With a forced smile, she raised her eyes to her sister. “Yeah, I get it. Especially with that mean boss you have. How are things with Ethan, anyway?”

Alicia shrugged as she settled back in her chair. “Okay. I need to have a talk with him about how we’re going to move forward, but Ethan’s not the reason I need to get back to work.”

“Back to policing garden gnome heights?”

Alicia’s soft laughter filled the room as she leaned into her palm, the warmth in her eyes lighting the space between them. “No, I’m actually quitting HCPD. Ethan’s not going to be happy, but…”

Julia’s jaw dropped open. “Ally! Are you serious? I thought you loved that job.”

“I do. I did. I…come on, Juju. I left the FBI, and I went back home. I love Harbor Cove, but…I love my sister more. My bond with you–it’s stronger than any attachment to a place. You’re my true north.”

Julia blew out a surprised breath. “Wow. I mean, I love you, too, but leaving Harbor Cove is a big step.” Julia winced,shooting her sister a consoling glance. “It also means leaving Ethan.”

“Maybe, maybe not. That’s what I want to talk to him about.”

“Wow, Ally, that’s…” Julia heaved a sigh as she curled her legs under her. “It’s a big step. I love you for it, too, but…”

“But you don’t want me to stay?” Alicia asked.

Julia shook her head. “I would love for you to stay. That’s why I’m here. I wanted you to stay for at least a little bit so we could spend time together. But…moving here is a huge change. I don’t want you to be unhappy just to stay close to me.”

“I won’t be,” Alicia promised. “How could I ever be unhappy this close to my baby sister?”

Julia opened her mouth to respond, her features pinching.

“Juju, I stayed in Harbor Cove because I always thought you’d come back there. I figured you’d marry Luke, and we’d all live out our days in that little town. And I was fine with that, but it all hinged on us being together. And we’re not.”

“I hate that, too, but…we’ll see each other more than we did when I first moved. I just…I was avoiding Luke and…” The weight of the unspoken emotions that she was still processing pressed down on her.

“We’ll see each other a lot more now,” Alicia said with a smile. “Unless you really don’t want me to stay which is kinda of sounds like you don’t.”

“I do!” Julia exclaimed, her words brimming with a glowing excitement as she reached across the space, clasping Alicia’s hand with a grip that conveyed more than words ever could. “I just…I’m surprised.”

“Happily, I hope.”

“Very happily,” Julia answered. “So, I guess you’ll be job-hunting, huh? Do you think Ethan will give you any problems with recommending you?”

Alicia offered her a tentative grin. “I actually already found one.”

“Wow, that was quick. I didn’t even realize you were looking. What did Ethan say?”

“I haven’t told him yet. I just accepted the position, actually.”

Julia’s heart skipped a beat, excitement for her sister coursing through her. “Ally! Congratulations. That’s so exciting. What’s the job?”

“Head of security for some crazy billionaire and his family. They’re coming off a really bad two years, but I’m hoping it’s settled down so it’s an easy gig.”

Julia’s jaw unhinged as she stared at her sister. “Are you kidding?”

Alicia cocked her head with a shrug. “Unless you have any objections, Grant just offered the job to me. He said I could hire Ethan so…you may have both of us sticking around.”

“Ally,” Julia said with a wide grin. “This is amazing.”

“So, you don’t object?”