Page 55 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“That’s right, run away, like you did before,” Trinity goaded, making Carly’s shoulders stiffen. “It makes no difference to me and will only confirm what the public already knows. When things get too tough for her, Stella Hart runs away and hides.”
“Jennifer, I’d like you to call Paige Garland,” Carly said. Trinity’s words washed over her like a bucket of ice, stilling the hurricanethreatening to explode around them. “Tell her about the situation. She’ll know what to do from there.”
Jennifer and Trinity both gasped the moment Carly mentioned Paige’s name.
“Did you… uh…” Jennifer stammered. “Did you say Paige Garland?”
Carly turned to look at Jennifer. “Did I not make myself clear?”
“I…” Jennifer gaped at Carly. “Car.. Stella. Paige doesn’t take on new clients.”
“I’mnota new client.“ Carly felt deeply satisfied as she watched Trinity’s face pale at Carly’s words.
“Nicely played,” Trinity surprised Carly by saying, her eyes filled with admiration. “But I’m not afraid of Paige. Other PR firms and their slick attorneys have come for me.”
“It’s your funeral,” Carly warned Trinity. “So I’m going to warn you one last time to return to the original questions.”
“Now, where would the fun be in that?” Trinity shrugged.
They were ushered back into their seats before Carly could ask after Ethan.
The thought of Ethan and his betrayal slammed through her.Why would he ambush me like this? Was everything he said to me a lie? Or was this the world of Alex!Carly shook the thought away, surely Alexwouldn’t dare to do this to his brother? Her mind was a jumble of confusion while her heart beat with the pain of betrayal.
As they came back on air, Trinity made light of the note the show ended on before the break and turned to Carly.
“Stella, as we ended with the question of yours and Ethan’s relationship hanging, I have to say that I’m curious to know if your relationship has moved to another level lately,” Trinity’s words hit another nerve. “While we were on a break, a fan, thrilled to have spotted you, sent us this recent photo of you.”
A picture of Carly and Ethan kissing earlier that day during their picnic appeared on the screen.
Carly felt her cheeks heat as the prickles of shock stung her nervous system. She shouldn’t have been surprised, not with everything that had happened over the past few days. Right now, she has two choices. Neither was preferred, but she’d been put on the spot, and Trinity’s fans were waiting for her response.
Carly’s eyes met Trinity’s, and she looked more smug than before. Carly wasn’t going to run away again. She had to take option two. It wasn’t in her wheelhouse to use her talent to deceive during an interview, but this woman had backed her into a corner. There was only one way out to put on a performance. After all, Stella Hart was also a part she played daily as an actress.
Her eyes went to Ethan’s empty seat, and a sense of betrayal cut through her like a knife through the heart. He’d put her on the spot. Carly wasn’t vindictive, but Ethan had put her here, and it was payback time.
“Pictures can be deceiving,” Carly’s voice didn’t falter. “The photographer didn’t get the script in my hand in the picture. Ethan,” she looked at the camera, amused, “the dear man who, as everyone knows, is also a perfectionist when it comes to his movies, was helping with my part.” She blushed prettily and on cue. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” She looked at Trinity. “Kissing and making out scenes I’ve always struggled with.”
“Really?” Trinity’s eyes lit with more admiration as she turned and looked at the picture. “That was an act?” She pursed her lips, turned to Carly, and nodded. “If so, then I have to applaud you.” She clapped. “Because I’d say you nailed that intimate scene.” She laughed. “And if Ethan Hart gives you grief about it during filming, I think he’ll have most of America against him in support of you.”
“Thank you,” Carly said.
After that, she saw Trinity frown slightly as she read the teleprompter, and Carly turned to see what she was reading.
Pull the new questions and go back to the first one immediately. Network Director’s orders.
Carly smiled inwardly, knowing Paige had a hand in that, and made a mental note to call her friend and thank her.
While Trinity tamed her endless questions after that, she still tried to throw in a controversial one, which Carly would deflect. By the time the show finished, Carly’s nerves were frayed, and her anger at Ethan had escalated.
“That’s all for today,” Trinity addressed the camera. “Be sure to tune in tomorrow. I’ll still be in this small New England town and bring you big newsworthy stories as we hear from some of Stella’s close friends and family.” She turned to Carly. “Thank you for being on the show. I wish you all the best with the series. Despite the media backlash of three years ago, Stella, I have to say, you have demonstrated grace, resilience, and strength under pressure. You are a true legend to me.”
Carly was stunned by Trinity’s words. The woman was an enigma. Carly wasn’t sure if Trinity despised or admired Stella Hart.
As the red light atop the camera blinked off, Carly’s confusion gave way to a creeping sense of betrayal. Despite Ethan’s roses and reassuring smiles, she couldn’t help but wonder who, if anyone, was indeed on her side. Her eyes met Jennifer’s. She gave Carly a triumphant smile and thumbs up. Carly was struck by guilt about how she’d treated Jennifer and was about to apologize, rising from the chair when Trinity touched her arm.
“That was fantastic,” Trinity said to Carly before being called away. “I hope we can do this again.”
Carly gaped at the woman’s retreating back.Is she serious? I would never do another of Trinity’s shows.She shook her head, suppressing a shudder, before walking to Jennifer.
