Page 30 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Carly,” he said smoothly. “What a wonderful surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.”
Carly’s pulse quickened as he held her gaze. The scent of his spicy cologne teased her senses, while his expensive suit fit him to perfection, highlighting his tall, toned frame. Carly had always admired the way Ethan wore a suit, adding to his allure and stature. But then again, he wore all his clothes like they were tailored suits.
Probably because all his clothes were tailor-made for him!She could hear Daniella’s scathing voice in her head but pushed it aside.
“I’m sorry to come here unannounced,” Carly said, forcing herself not to stammer and keeping her voice cool and calm. “But I have something I need to discuss with you.”
Ethan’s brow creased curiously before he nodded and gently took her arm. “We can talk in Liam’s office.” He steered her towards Liam’s office, making sure it was empty. He stood back for her to precede him inside. “We won’t be disturbed here.”
As Carly stepped over the threshold, she was sure she heard someone call her name, but before she could check, Ethan stepped inside and pulled the door closed.
“Please, take a seat.” Ethan smiled as he walked around the desk.
Carly took a coveted deep breath and was about to sit down when the office door flew open. She stiffened as she saw Alex. Her heart slammed into her chest as her eyes met his. Alex’s jaw was clenched tight, making the muscles at the side of it tick as his eyes moved to his brother. Carly watched in confusion as Alex’s hands balled into fists at his side.
Something suddenly didn’t feel right about the situation to Carly, and warning bells started to ring in her head.
“What the heck are you up to,Alex?“ His voice was dripping with ice. “The front desk clerk told me Carly was here to seeme!”
Carly’s head shot around as realization dawned on her to see Alex, unphased by his brother’s wrath, smirking at her. Carly’s head started to spin, and she felt sick at the thought that she had nearly confrontedthe wrong brother. She would’ve once again made a complete fool of herself in front of the Blackwells.
“You’re despicable!” Carly seethed at Alex. Her shock and humiliation turned to anger. “How dare you try to fool me when you knew I thought you were Ethan!”
Alex leaned back in the chair, an amused smile playing on his lips. “In my defense, you made it really easy for me, and I was curious to know what you wanted todiscuss—“ Carly didn’t miss the warning that flashed in his eyes or the deliberate pause, “with my brother.”
Carly felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she wondered how often she’d mistaken Alex for Ethan. It would certainly explain why Ethan would seem like he was two different people. Carly gave herself a mental shake, appalled that she hadn’t thought about this before. Her eyes traveled from Alex to Ethan, and Carly could tell the difference between them when they were together.
Ethan crossed the room in two quick strides, looming over the desk in front of Alex. His eyes ablaze with Anger. “Is it true?” he seethed. “Were you impersonating meagain?”
Alex remained indifferent to Ethan’s rage and shrugged. “It’s not my fault Carly mistook me for you.” His eyes shone as he taunted Carly, glancing toward her. “I’m the handsome one.”
“This isn’t a game, Alex!” Ethan’s voice rose in anger. “You had no right to deceive Carly like that or pry into my business.”
“She came here of her own volition,” Alex shot back. “I simply...indulged her assumptions.” He gave Carly a smug look. “I didn’t want to embarrass her by pointing out she had the wrong brother. That would’ve been rude, considering how close the two of you were a few years ago. People would’ve expected her to know the difference between us.”
Carly stood frozen, her pulse racing. This was not at all how she had envisioned this confrontation going. Her mind was still reeling with the fact that she’d almost poured her heart out to the wrong brother.
Ethan turned to her, his eyes softening. “Carly, I’m so sorry about my idiot brother pulling a twin switch on you. I can assure you I’venevercondoned it or even realized he was still doing it.”
Alex let out a derisive laugh. “Seriously?” He stood up and pushed the chair back as he leaned toward his brother, his eyes flashing angrily. “You should thank me for all the times I stepped in and saved your broody hide!”
Ethan looked ready to explode. Carly placed a hand on his arm, willing him to stay calm. Her mind and emotions were in turmoil, unsure what to make of this heated brotherly clash unfolding before her eyes. She needed time to process the undercurrents and implications ofwhat they were saying as Carly had a nagging feeling it had something to do with three years ago.
“I should go,” Carly said, suddenly feeling the large, luxurious office walls start to close in on her.
Without waiting for a response, she slipped out of the office, more conflicted than ever about the secrets of her past.
CHAPTER 8
The color drained from Ethan’s face as Alex’s words echoed in his mind. His body went rigid, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Confusion and anger warred within him, twisting his gut.
“Why the heck, Alex?” Ethan’s voice was a quiet storm, laced with a dangerous undercurrent. “What could possibly motivate you to do this?”
Alex shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Just going along with Carly’s assumption. No harm done.”
“No harm?” Ethan seethed. “You lied to Carly. Pretended to be me. Do you have morals?”
Ethan’s attention was drawn away from Alex when he heard the office door slam shut and turned to see Carly had left the room. Ethan’s chest ached, thinking of how this must’ve affected her. He took a stepto follow her, needing to explain and fix the mess his meddling brother had created.
