gotten a call from Dalton saying he wouldnât be coming. No one had to figure out the reason behind that decision.
What Jules loved most about her big sister was that at no time did she try to make her feel guilty because Jaceâs brother wanted to act like an ass. Shana knew the whole story, from start to finish, and refused to take sides. In fact, she wouldnât give her opinion one way or the other, even when Jules had asked for it.
But still, Jules knew that Daltonâs refusal to come to dinner was a letdown, although Shana tried not to show it. Her sister didnât deserve that. She deserved better than having Dalton Granger as a brother-in-law.
And Jules felt that she herself deserved better than having to come here, seeking him out to talk about it. Why she was even wasting her time, she wasnât sure. History had shown on more than one occasion the man had a one-track mind. He had this entitlement complex that needed to be knocked down more than a few notches. All they ever did when they were within five feet of each other was argue. Dalton Granger brought out the worst in her. Most of the time, intentionally. But at least she could try to convince him that it wasnât about him and her, but about Jace and Shana. They didnât need their siblings on the warpath. For Jaceâs and Shanaâs sakes, they should try to at least be civil to each other. Theyâd almost succeeded during the wedding weekend. Had almost made it to the end, but of course, heâd felt the need to rattle her, piss her off big-time. And what made her even madder was that sheâd let him. Why did he have the ability to get under her skin?
She killed the ignition of her car and sat there a moment. She didnât see him or that red two-seater sports car he drove around town. But she felt something. The air surrounding her seemed to be spiked with intensity. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was invading his space. And now it seemed as if his space were invading her.
How could that indescribable masculine aura that seemed to cling to him surround her now, even when he was nowhere to be seen? But it didnât take much to remember how heâd looked at the wedding. The visual suddenly shot heat up the full length of her spine, making her hot inside.
Jules refused to believe her sudden rise in body temperature had anything to do with Dalton. After all, he was just a man. But she would admit he had this predator side that was powerful at times, almost overwhelming. Of course, she staunchly refused to let that happen, although the very idea sent a shiver through her body. That quiver prompted her to turn the carâs ignition back on to generate some heat. It was October, and there was a definite chill in the air. Everyone had begun wearing overcoats weeks ago and was anticipating the seasonâs first snowstorm before the end of the month.
She glanced at her watch. It was almost ten on a weeknight. It was too much to assume that Dalton, like most normal people who worked the next day, would have the sense to be home at this hour. But then, he had a reputation of being a party animal. Heâd definitely left his mark on the women over in Europe. Sheâd done her research and knew that he preferred older women. Heâd had no problem being their boy toy.
But to give him credit...something she didnât like doing...heâd been smart enough to capitalize on his money by investing wisely. Heâd become a billionaire without the Granger name or money. Heâd done so in his own right. If it had been any other man, she would admire him for achieving such brilliant success. But since it was Dalton, hell would freeze over before she held him in high esteem for anything.
Deciding she would leave if he didnât come home in the next ten minutes or so, she relaxed her head against the headrest and stretched out her legs as far as they could comfortably go while glancing