Page 16 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

“Alexis Remington.”

The girl’s mouth dropped open. “You’re Chase Remington’s sister, aren’t you?”

Alexis had to refrain from rolling her eyes. “Yes. I told you, I’m a friend.”

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Remington.”

Alexis tapped her fingers against her thigh impatiently. “Can you please check in the back for me?”

“Of course.”

Alexis took a seat while she waited. She looked around at the restaurant since she had nothing else to do. The more she took in the perfection of Owen’s restaurant, the angrier she became. He had everything tied up in a perfect little bow, didn’t he? His staff was perfectly trained, and the lighting was just low enough to create the right amount of ambiance. The greenery that grew above the tables added an appealing pop of color to contrast with the rustic wood of the polished tables. Everything was shiny and clean and new. And she knew he had all the money to keep it that way. He didn’t have to worry about bills and watching his books dip further into the red. He just had to dump more of his acting money into the establishment because Hadley’s was his pet project. He probably wouldn’t even care if the restaurant weren’t profitable. But looking around, she knew he was killing it financially. The place was packed, and it was the middle of the afternoon. He probably had people traveling from other towns to come to the famous Owen Hadley’s restaurant, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

The hostess returned. “Mr. Hadley is not here today. I’m sorry, Ms. Remington.”

“It’s fine. I can figure something out.” She had already wasted too much time trying to track Owen down. She’d assumed he’d be working. Irritation lanced through her. Where was he anyway? She pulled out her phone and called Chase.

“What’s up, little sister?”

Alexis left the restaurant and circled the building to the back parking lot. “Can you give me Owen’s number?”

“What do you want with Owen’s number?”

“Can we skip the twenty questions? I’m not in the mood.”

“I don’t think so. I’m not going to just hand out Owen’s number.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I told him you were off-limits.”

“You did what?” Alexis’s head reeled with the turn the conversation had taken. “Okay, first, you had no right to do that. And second, I’m not calling him to hit on him. This is a business call.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“I don’t have time for this,” Alexis snapped. “I’ll talk to you later.” She tossed her phone into her purse and unlocked her car.

If she wanted something done, she would have to do it herself. She knew where to find Owen. He had told her himself where he was staying. She couldn’t believe people were trying to protect him. Well, actually, she could. He was a famous movie star. But she knew the guy. He never treated her like a raving fan. Although she hadn’t been that far from the typical fangirl more than once, she wasn’t in that mode now, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever return to that place again.

Owen had declared war on her by opening a restaurant across the street from her and hiring such a phenomenal pastry chef. Her fangirl feelings had vanished. There was something about seeing her books dipping further into the red that snuffed out whatever feelings she may have had for him in the past. All she could feel now was white-hot rage.

She drove to the old Tate House and pulled into the driveway. She walked to the front door of the historic home, knocked, and waited. When no one came to the door after a few moments, she knocked again, this time harder. And for good measure, she rang the doorbell. She waited, and still, no one answered the door. Frustration sat heavy in her belly. She pulled out her phone and called Chase again.

“Do you know where Owen is today? I really need to talk to him.”

“I think he’s just at home. But listen, I know you like him, but you need to stay away from that guy. He’s no good for you.”

“I think I know what’s good for me. I’m a big girl, Chase. I can take care of myself. Hitting on Owen is the furthest thing from my mind right now.”

“Why do you want to talk to him then?”

Alexis unlocked her car, and a dog barked from the back yard of the house. “I think I just found him. Let me call you back later.” Alexis hung up the phone and put it back into her purse. She unlatched the white privacy fence and stepped into the backyard.

“Hello? Owen? Are you back here?” A beautiful pool came into view. A little dog floated on a bright pink pool float and barked shrilly at her.

“Alexis?” She saw Owen then. He stood shirtless in the pool next to the little dog on the float.

Her mouth went dry, and her words stuck in her throat. Her head spun. He was tanned and sculpted like a Greek god. A specimen of male perfection in every sense. She stood frozen. She knew she was staring like a lovesick fool, but she couldn’t help it.

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