Page 113 of Bliss with a Billionaire
“What are you, afraid? Move aside, let arealHarrington do it.”
“I can’t believe you. I am never going to be nice to you again,” Kyle answered.
“What is going on here?” Julia asked as they reached them.
“We found a door. And I want to open it. But ‘Fraidy Cat Kyle is too scared to open it,” Sierra explained.
“I am not afraid to open it. I just thought we may all want to decide on this.”
“I vote no,” Grant answered.
“Daddy, you can’t keep voting no because you don’t want to do this.”
Grant slid his flashlight beam along the rusty metal door with a grimace. “I can and I will. I vote we leave it closed.”
“I vote we open it,” Julia said.
Grant clicked his tongue at her. “Julia, we’re supposed to be a team. Stop voting against me.”
“I’m voting for solving the mystery, not against you,” she answered.
“I vote we open it, so we open it,” Sierra said.
Kyle blocked her from reaching the door. “Wait, I didn’t even vote yet.”
“Your vote doesn’t count,” Sierra said.
“Uh, yes, it does. And just for that, I’m voting with Dad. Now we’re stuck.”
“OMG, you are such a child. I can’t believe you would vote against Julia.” Sierra twisted to eye her stepmother. “Now, we all know how hereallyfeels about you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kyle asked. “My vote has nothing to do with how I feel about Julia.”
“How do you feel about Julia?” Grant asked, Kyle’s words riling him.
“Enough,” Julia answered with a slice of her hands through the air. “Open the door, Sierra.”
“I’d honestly like to discuss Kyle’s current feelings now that we are a couple. Seems important to clear the air,” Grant said.
Julia clicked her tongue. “We are not having this discussion now. We all know where we stand. Let’s just keep investigating.”
“Fine,” Kyle said. “I’ll switch my vote. We should open the door. There. Happy now?”
“Yes. Daddy, you’re outvoted again.” Sierra latched onto the handle and tugged. “It’s stuck.”
“Probably rusted shut,” Kyle said. “Move.”
“That is so sexist to think you can do it because you’re a man.”
“I don’t think that. I think I can do it because I have far better upper body strength.”
“Except,” Julia said as she slid between him and the door, “you also have stitches. Grant, open the door.”
“Me? I didn’t even want to open it.”
“But you’re the only one who can, Daddy, so open it. Don’t be a poor sport. You lost the vote.”
“Did I?” He crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. “Seems like I’m holding all the cards here.”
