Page 96 of Bliss with a Billionaire
Julia slid a lock of hair over Sierra’s shoulder. “Do you want to spend some time alone?”
“No,” Sierra said as she grabbed Julia’s hand. “No, we’re family. All of us.”
“Yes, we are,” Grant said. “Although, I’d love to schedule some father-daughter time if you can fit it into your busy scheduled with Julia.”
Sierra grinned at him. “I think I can. I’m really good at managing my time because my daddy taught me how to do that.”
He smiled at her before he kissed her forehead. “Yes, he did.”
Julia rubbed her back as Sierra leaned closer to her, settling her head onto Julia’s shoulder.
“Julia, I really feel like it’s important for you to adopt me now. I’m vulnerable after this blow.”
Julia chuckled. “I would like nothing more than to do that, Sierra. Although, this isn’t a blow because it’s really meaningless. We are your family, no matter what.”
“Let’s just make it official, okay?”
“Okay,” Julia said, stroking Sierra’s hair. “Now, how about a little father-daughter movie night? It might be a nice way to relax after everything.”
Sierra lifted her red-rimmed eyes to Julia and nodded. “Can I pick the movie?”
“Under the circumstances, I’ll let you,” Grant said, “but this is theonlytime.”
She offered her father a fragile smile. “But, Julia, you’ll join us, right?”
“Of course,” she answered as she rose and pulled Sierra with her. “I just need to check on Kyle first.”
“Oh,” Sierra said with a frown, “do we have to invite him?”
“No,” Grant said. “We don’t. This is our time.”
“But–”
“He’ll understand,” Julia said with a nod. “And besides, I’m pretty certain he hates your taste in movies, so he’ll see it as a win.”
Sierra hesitated for a second before she threw her arms around Julia’s neck. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Sierra. Now, let’s go up and get you settled.”
Sierra slid her arm around Julia’s waist as Julia pulled her closer. Grant wrapped his arm around his daughter as they made their way up to Sierra’s bedroom. She disappeared into the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.
“Julia…” Grant said, his voice still tentative and raw with emotion.
“I’ll be back. Enjoy the alone time with your daughter,” she said with a smile.
“Wait,” he said as he grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. We’re a family. This is what we do.”
“Yeah, well, I’m really glad you’re my family.” He tugged her closer and gave her a soft kiss.
“I’m glad we’re a family, too. Now, let me go check in with Kyle and I’ll be back. Unless you’d prefer to spend some time with Sierra alone.”
“As much as I love spending time with Sierra, we both need you right now. Neither of us is okay, and you always make things better.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, then.” She gave him a peck on the lips before she left him behind.
As she stepped into the hall, she blew out a long sigh. The emotional encounter with Grant had been draining enough, but the follow-up with Sierra was another gut punch.
