Page 19 of Battle with a Billionaire

“Well, the past’s the past. I assume you’ll do a press conference?”

“Yes, Kathryn is setting it up now. I’m not sure when yet.”

“Okay, just let me know. I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Julia. That means a lot to me.”

“Of course,” she said again, her voice warm and soothing. Her unwavering support, even now, only deepened his desire to make things right with her. He couldn’t let her down, not when she stood by him so steadfastly.

“Oh, there is one other thing.”

“Name it.”

“Kathryn wants to set up an interview with the two of us to combat this image. You know, showing that I’ve grown and changed and that our marriage is…perfect.” The word stuck in his throat.

Before he could ask for her help, she was already answering. “Okay. Whatever she thinks is needed.”

“Thanks, Julia,” he said again. “Well, that’s all the bad news on my end. I guess I should let you get back to work.”

“Well, that depends on if you want me to come home tonight or stay at the office.”

Her easy manner relaxed him once more, enough to elicit a chuckle. “I want you to come home. I’m not eating dinner with Lydia alone tonight. Or we may have another scandal to face.”

“Oh, sure, you leave me with her for breakfast but you can’t have dinner with her.”

“She came to breakfast? I thought surely she wouldn’t have bothered given how much she hates early mornings.”

“She did. She made a lovely appearance, bit my head off, and then stormed off.”

Grant slid his eyes closed as he shook his head. He really had to work on getting his ex-wife to move out of their house before she single-handedly ruined things with Julia.

“It’s been a day already.”

“Sorry to add to it.”

“Does Kathryn think it’s going to be difficult to overcome?”

Grant heaved a sigh. “She said it’s a setback but not a campaign killer.”

“Well, then it’s nothing to worry about. Leave it in her very capable hands and move on.”

He smiled at the words. Apparently, she hadn’t been too upset over it. “I will do that. See you later?”

“Yep,” she said. “Good luck with everything.”

They said their goodbyes and ended the call. His mind went over the conversation again as he wrestled with a mix of gratitude and guilt. Her easy acceptance was a soothing balm, but he couldn’t stop feeling as though he unfairly burdened her.

He considered calling her back, asking her to meet and talk it all through. He flicked on the display and found her name in his contact list. Before he could press the call button, the display dimmed.

As he was about to stow it in his pocket, though, it lit and buzzed. Max’s name flashed on the screen, bringing him a measure of concern.

“Max, everything okay?”

“More or less,” Max answered. “I have some information I figured you’d like to hear sooner rather than later.”

Grant’s heart thudded against his ribs as he sat straighter. “What is it?”

“I have Reynolds keeping an eye on Mrs. Harrington just like you asked…”

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