Page 93 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“Whoa!” Brad stood up and stopped him. “You were the one that put Vanessa on the top three list.”
“No!” Alex shook his head and pointed at Brad. “You did that. Your father and I just endorsed your decision as you’re running this show.”
“Can I see your phone?” Harriet asked him, holding her hand out, but he pulled it away.
“No way!” Alex shook his head, eyeing her mistrustfully.
“Oh, for heck’s sake,” Harriet breathed, pulling out her phone and messaging Alex.
Nothing happened, and a few minutes later, she got a reply.
Looking to dump me in the water again? Luckily, the contamination scare was just that, or you’d be hearing from my legal team.
“I did not write that!” Alex looked at Brad and held up his hands.
“We know you dope!” Harriet shook her head in dismay. “I can’t believe you’re a genius at times.”
“I can’t believe you’re a p…” Harriet shot off her seat and shoved a hand over his mouth. “Seriously, if you say that word…”
“Sorry, I forgot!” Alex held up his hands. “I’m going to get a cab.”
“Here, you can use Harriet’s phone,” Brad took it out of her hands and handed it to Alex.
“Hey!” Harriet glared at Brad.
Alex walked back toward them, handing Harriet her phone as something dawned on him. “Oh!” Alex nodded, looking at Brad. “Carrie Lines is the mousy librarian Brad’s in love with.”
A gasp had them turning to where Caroline stood, gaping at Alex from the hallway.
“This is why people push you off boats,” Harriet told him through gritted teeth as she started to drag him out of the clinic.
“What? She’s hot now!” Alex looked at Harriet innocently.
“Shut up, Alex,” Harriet hissed and yanked him out of the clinic.
And awkward silence descended over Caroline, Brad, and Jennifer.
“You know, I’m going to make sure that Harriet doesn’t end up in jail for pushing Alex into the traffic.” She stood. “Or anywhere that isn’t here.”
“How is Blue Beard?” Brad asked, his mind grappling for something to say that would smooth over the tension between them.
“The vet is still busy with his wing,” Caroline said, sitting beside Brad and letting Melton climb onto her lap.
“Caroline, about what Alex said,” Brad decided to get it out in the open, so he dove right in. “He’s not always an idiot; deep down, he’s actually a nice guy.”
“I can only go on what I’ve seen,” Caroline told him.
“Well, hopefully, you’ll get to know him during filming and socializing over the next few months,” Brad suggested.
“That’s if there is going to be a series now that I’ve been accused of plagiarism.” Caroline pinched the bridge of her nose. Brad could see this rollercoaster ride was taking its toll on her. She leaned back and folded her arms. “I’ve worked so hard foreverything I have.” She looked at him, her eyes flashing with anger. “How dare someone try and steal that from me!” She shook her head, and tears misted her eyes. “Why would someone try and steal that from me?” She sniffed, and a tear rolled over her eyelid.
Brad leaned over and wiped it away with his thumb. “We’re going to sort this out,” he promised, hoping he’d be able to keep it. He didn’t know how they got to this but hoped Vanessa came through for them.
“What am I doing, Brad?” Caroline drew in a shaky breath. “Look what happened today. Blue Beard got hurt and could’ve died.”
“That’s not your fault,” Brad pointed out. He put his arm around her and drew her to him. Caroline snuggled into him, and he kissed her head.
“What if that had been Jules, Connor, you, or someone else I loved?” She sucked in another shaky breath, not feeling the slight stiffening of Brad’s shoulders upon hearing her words.
