Her footsteps receded as she headed upstairs. Grant stared after her for a moment before he flicked his gaze to Julia. “Well, that went better than expected.”
“I’ll check on her later, just in case,” Julia offered.
He pulled her into a hug. “Thank you.”
“How are you?” she asked as she leaned away from him.
“I’m fine,” he answered.
Julia pressed her lips together as she stared up at him.
“What? I feel pretty much the same way Sierra does. And your sister. If I didn’t think it was crass, I’d crack open a bottle of champagne.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he answered. “Why would I be upset over the death of a woman who has terrorized this family for two years?”
“You were married to her once.”
“A fact I regret almost every day of my life. Please don’t hold it against me.”
“I’m not holding it against you,” she promised. “But you married her once upon a time. You must have felt something for her. I imagine she wasn’t always as manipulative and…bitter as she has been lately.”
He pondered the words, wondering if the red flags had always been there. Lydia had never been like Julia. She had never been understanding, helpful, concerned, or loving. He often pondered why he had married her.
Lydia’s presence in his life had been a constant battle, one that shaped him in ways he was only beginning to understand.
He rubbed her shoulders as he tried to piece together a response. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve asked myself that question over and over since we’ve met.”
She offered him a consoling half-smile. “And?”
“And the only conclusion I’ve consistently come to is that I wish we would have met a lot sooner than we did.”
The statement elicited a chuckle from her. “You’re such a flatterer.”
“I’m not,” he said with a laugh as he wrapped his hand around hers. “I’m just that much in love with you and the life we’ve made together.”
“It’s okay if you’re upset over her death. It’s a shock.”
“Julia, I’m fine. Really. It’s…surprising that she’s gone. It’s…” He flicked his eyebrows up. “Surreal, in a way. She’s been such a thorn in our sides, I can’t believe it’s finally over.”
“I know,” she answered with a sigh.
He wrapped her in his arms again, kissing the top of her head as she laid it against his chest. He supposed he had to thank Lydia for being the one to bring him and Julia together. If she hadn’t been riling up board to vote him out, Sierra never would have suggested the fake marriage, he never would have accidentally met Julia, married her, and fallen in love.
Ironic that the woman who had nearly ruined his life countless times over the past two years was also the one responsible for the happiest moments of his life.
He squeezed her tighter. “I love you.”
She tipped her chin back and stared up at him. “I love you, too.”
He rubbed a thumb against her cheek before he leaned closer to kiss her. Before their lips could meet, the doorbell rang, drawing their attention.
He grumbled a sigh. “Of course.”
Worthington pulled open the door and nodded after a second. “Yes, he is.”
“Now what?” Grant asked.
