Page 29 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
Carly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was being paranoid just because the person was wearing a large hat, oversized sunglasses, and a coat in the middle of summer. She reasoned that the person probably had some condition that made them feel cold. Still, her hands shook, and her heart hammered erratically from the scare as Carly went to get Reef’s prescription.
Carly paid for the medication and walked toward the front door, pondering her reaction. Years of secrecy had honed Carly’s vigilance. She knew better than to ignore the prickling unease, and seeing someone behind her dressed like a spy would’ve made anyone feel followed, especially after her ordeal the previous night.
As Carly exited the store, an all too familiar voice called out.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Stella Hart.”
Carly froze, her blood turning to ice. She looked up to see Daphne Rose striding toward her, holding a large hat, oversized sunglasses, and a pale coat.
I was being followed. Carly knew her senses weren’t just on high alert.I was being followed by freakin’ Daphne Rose, of all people.
“Or do you prefer Carly these days?” Daphne smirked, stopping in front of Carly.
Carly stood rooted in shock. How had Daphne suddenly recognized her? A few days ago, they’d literally bumped into each otherat Caroline and Brad’s wedding, and Daphne hadn’t recognized her. Suspicion grew inside Carly.
Did Daphne hire the PI?The thought flashed through Carly’s mind. She cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “Hello, Daphne.”
To Carly’s surprise, Daphne’s eyes softened as she stepped closer to Carly, a reassuring smile on her face.
“I know you’re surprised to see me.” Daphne’s voice was hushed, and she glanced around them. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I came here to help you.”
Carly’s mind reeled. Daphne clearly had an agenda here. The woman was known to be mean and malicious, stooping to any means to get what she wanted. Carly should know, as she’d tried to steal many parts from her over the years.
Carly composed herself and met Daphne’s gaze with suspicion. “What do you want, Daphne? And what could you possibly offer me help with?”
A dark sedan with tinted windows drove slowly by them, seemingly slowing down as it neared them. Carly tensed as she watched the car and was shocked when Daphne pushed past her, her eyes returning to icy blocks of blue.
“I’m sorry.” Daphne’s apologetic tone belied the coldness of her look. “I need to talk to you urgently, but I’ll find you in a less publicsetting.” She glanced toward the car, turning the corner. “Please, don’t mention you saw me.”
Before a perplexed Carly could respond, Daphne shoved the hat and glasses on before walking into the store, leaving Carly gaping after her.
Well, that wasn’t strange at all!Carly shook her head to ensure she was awake and not having a weird nightmare. Any dream with Daphne Rose in it was a nightmare for Carly.
As Carly returned to the library to get her car, doubt crept in as she tried to figure out Daphne’s strange behavior. Like Ethan, the woman seemed to have a multi-faceted personality. Carly knew Daphne hadn’t been acting because Daphne wasn’t that good an actress.
While Carly drove toward the Summer Inn, she wondered if Daphne had played a role in the scandal that ended her career.Is that what she wants to talk to me about?
Carly pulled into the Summer Inn parking and realized how little she knew about the shadowy forces that took her down. “What on earth happened three years ago?” she muttered, climbing out of her car. “And how or why did I end up in the middle of it and being the one that got burned?”
Today is the day I find out!Carly squared her shoulders, gathering the new-found confidence and determination Daniella had helped her find, and walked into the elegant foyer of the five-star Summer Inn. One of her brother’s good friends, Liam Gains, also Harley’s girlfriend’s older brother, owned it.
Carly’s pulse quickened, and she steadied herself with a deep breath before walking toward the front desk to find out which conference room Blackwell Productions was set up in. Her nerves jangled as she neared the gleaming oak desk along one side of the wall. She steeled herself, gritting her teeth and forcing herself forward.
There’s no turning back, Carly. From this day on, you only go forward! It’s time to bury the past for good.
Carly knew the young woman at the front desk. She was a regular customer at Carly’s restaurant.
“Hello, Miss. Donovan,” the woman greeted her cheerily. “How can I help you today?”
“I’d like to know which conference room Blackwell Productions have set up in,” Carly told her. “I need to see Ethan.”
“Sure.” She smiled and told Carly the room’s name and which door down the long corridor of the hotel housed the rooms.
Carly thanked her, and as she walked away from the front desk, a familiar figure caught her eye across the room. Phone to his earand stalking toward the hotel entrance, she recognized Ethan’s tall, broad-shouldered silhouette. Relief washed over her, followed swiftly by a new wave of nerves.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Carly crossed the gleaming marble floor. “Ethan,” she called out, rushing toward him, mindful of her steps so she didn’t slip on the highly polished floor.
Ethan looked up. His eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed for a few seconds, making Carly hesitate and stop a few feet from him, feeling uncertain about what she was doing. She watched Ethan’s eyes widened in surprise before a smile split his handsome mouth.
