Page 13 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
She noticed he was wearing leather pants. There was a leather jacket and a helmet on the table. Carly frowned. Ethan didn’t seem like the type to ride a motorbike. She took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves, reminding herself he didn’t know who Carly was. She plastered a smile on her face as she approached the table.
“Hi, Eth—“ Carly was cut off, her breath caught in her throat, and her heart started pounding when she realized too late that it wasn’t Ethan at the table.
“No, it’s Alex,” Alex Blackwell’s eyes were cold as they assessed her, and before he said anything, Carly knew he’d figured out who she was. “I knew you looked familiar when we met at Brad and Caroline’swedding last night.” He shook his head and snorted as his eyes looked her over and sneered. “From starlight beauty to wild Orphan Annie meets Librarian look.”
“Where’s your brother?” Carly’s fists balled as she raised her chin. She would not be intimidated by a Blackwell ever again. “I was supposed to meet him.”
“My brother is probably on his way,” Alex told her. “And before you ask, he knows who you are,Stella Hart.”
Anger sped through her veins, making her eyes narrow in warning. “Keep your voice down,” Carly warned.
“Why?” Alex, unfazed, lifted an eyebrow. “Did you really think with the town crawling with celebrities, movie crew, and media that no one was going to figure it out?”
“No one had until now.” Carly raised her chin a little higher in defiance. “What are you doing here,Mr. Blackwell? Sundays get busy here, and I don’t have time to waste with bored playboys looking to ruin people’s lives.”
“I came to warn you that my sap of a brother, after getting over the shock of finding out who you were, decided it was fate and is going to offer you the new main part in the Cobble Cove Mysteries.” Alex’s words stunned her, freezing her to the spot for a few seconds before a familiar voice snapped her out of her daze.
“Carly,” Doctor Daniella Thornton, her cousin, voice came from behind her.
She turned to see Daniella walking toward her.
“Hi, Danny,” Carly greeted her, her mind reeling.
“Hi!” Daniella smiled. “I have a huge favor to ask. I have a few patients at the clinic who are in for a few nights. And I have no kitchen staff today…”
“You want to grab a few Sunday lunches?” Carly guessed, hailing Sue-Ann. “Sure. Get whatever you need on the house.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Daniella told her, but Carly could see the flash of relief in her cousin’s eyes.
The clinic didn’t turn over a profit. It was one of the reasons Daniella doubled as the town’s librarian and hosted at the restaurant a few nights a week.
“I insist,” Carly told her. “Please take a lunch for you and Em. We have her favorite today.”
“Thank you, cuz.” Daniella hugged Carly as Sue-Anne came over.
“Excuse me,” Alex called from behind Carly. “I’m still here, and we don’t have much time left before Ethan gets here.”
Carly ignored him, but Daniella looked past her, glaring at Alex. “Oh. It’s you!”
“Hi!” Alex said as Carly turned to see his smile change and his eyes warm as he looked at Daniella and rose to his six-foot-three. “Doctor Thornton. It’s nice to see you again. You disappeared last night before I could ask you to dance.”
“I had an emergency,” Daniella said before turning her attention back to Carly. “Thank you again, Carly. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Anytime,” Carly assured her.
Daniella ignored Alex as if he wasn’t there, turning to follow Sue-Ann.
“Did the doctor call you cuz?” Alex asked when Carly turned her attention to him.
“You were saying something about Ethan offering me a part in the Cobble Cove Mystery series?” Carly ignored his question.
Alex’s eyes turned cold once again as he looked at her. “Yes. He wants you to be the lead. As you know, Lucy Woods eventually took the lead role as the first lead in the series. For the second season, Lucy Woods’ character has to be written out as Lucy has taken on another role.” He glanced toward the door. “Even after your disastrous exit from acting, Brad and Ethan still wantedyouto play this role.“ Alex shrugged on his leather jacket and picked up his helmet. “I came here to tell you that while my brother can separate personal business from professional business for the sake of the business, I can’t. You nearlyruined him, and I can’t get over that.” He put the helmet on and lifted the visor. “Turn him down. Or I’ll leak who you are to the press before my brother, and Brad can do the big reveal they’re planning if you accept the part.”
“You’re threatening me?” Carly gasped, not sure if she’d heard him right. Another spurt of anger flooded her system, and her eyes blazed. “Listen here, you spoiled man-child,” she hissed, her voice low so only he could hear her. “This ismytown. You don’t want to mess with me here.”
“Oh. Look at that,” Alex mocked. “The little kitten thinks its tiny claws are talons.” He laughed at her and stepped closer. Her first instinct was to step back, but she stood her ground. “I have talons, and I’m not afraid to use them. Especially when it comes to protecting my family and friends.”
His head turned to the door as the other Blackwell brother stepped in. Alex looked at her.
