“Oh, I will.” He narrowed his eyes at her again. “About that…”
“Yeah?” she prompted as his voice trailed off.
“You keep talking about repaying me…and it’s not necessary, but if you’re interested, I may have a way.”
Her eyebrows shot up as she studied his face. “I’d love to hear it. You were instrumental in solving our problems, it’s the least we can do.”
“Ava and I are…having a little issue on the homefront. We’d love to have your help sorting through it. And what with all your experience with investigations, your insight is likely invaluable.”
“I don’t know about that, but I would be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.”
He grinned at her. “Then consider the debt repaid. I’ll text you when I’m home. We’ll talk dates. You’re going to love the Hamptons.”
She smiled at him. “I’ll let Grant know.”
“And the whole fam. We'd love to see everyone.”
“Okay, a family vacation may be just what this family needs.”
He offered her a coy smile. “Well, vacation may be a stretch, but…we do overlook a lovely area of beach.”
“Oh, perfect. I miss the sea so much. Although, I’m certain a hotel–“
“Dut, dut, dut,” Alex said with a wag of his finger, “you are almost family. You can stay with the Stones.”
“All right. I’ll talk to Grant, and we’ll be in touch.”
Alex pushed through the door into the hall. “I look forward to it, kid. I’ll see myself out.”
She stepped into the hall with him, giving him another hug before he left her behind. With a deep inhale, she threaded through the halls in search of her sister.
She reached Alicia’s door and banged against it, but no one answered. “Ally?”
“Yeah?” Alicia answered from her side.
She twisted to find her sister approaching her. “Hey. There you are.”
“Here I am,” Alicia said as she threw her hands to the side.
Julia pulled her sister into a hug.
Alicia leaned back, crinkling her brow. “You okay?”
“I’m just…happy to see you. Happy this entire nightmare with Lydia is over.” She heaved a sigh. “I’m just…happy.”
Alicia pushed through her door, motioning for Julia to follow. “You look happy.”
“Actually, I’m almost happy.” Julia drifted into her sister’s room, her gaze sweeping over the familiar details before she collapsed into the plush embrace of an armchair, seeking comfort.
“Uh-oh.” Alicia’s eyes narrowed, a shadow of concern flickering through her eyes as she studied Julia. “What’s that mean?”
“It means that with everything over, I hope you’re not planning on leaving just yet because I’d like to spend some time with you.”
Alicia tugged a corner of her lips back into a half-smile. “You mean now that no one’s trying to kill you or your stepkids or your husband or ruin your lives?”
“Yep, that’s what I mean.”
Alicia winced as she sucked in a sharp breath. “Well, unfortunately, my vacation is coming to a swift end. I’ve got to get back to work.”
