Page 35 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Sorry,” Daniella said. “Let me quickly change those hats,” she sprouted sarcastically before leaning forward and squeezing Carly’s hand reassuringly again. “I did have a feeling this might happen. You and Ethan left a lot of unresolved feelings between you three years ago after your abrupt ending.”
“It couldn’t have been an ending when things had barely started,” Carly pointed out. “Three years ago, I wondered what it would feel like to be held in his arms and kissed by him.”
“This was the first time the two of you kissed?” Daniella looked at her in amazement.
“Yes!” Carly’s face crumpled in exasperation. “I told you. We were moving slowly and drifting towards a deeper friendship back then.”
“Oh!” Daniella’s brows lifted. “I just always assumed you left the more intimate details of your relationship with Ethan out when we talked because…” She swallowed, and a haunted look crossed her cousin’s eyes.
“To be honest, I used to worry about telling you about my romantic encounters,” Carly admitted. “But no, I wasn’t holding back any information.”
“How do you feel about what happened?” Daniella asked.
“I don’t know.” Carly’s voice wavered slightly. “It’s not just about the kiss.” She shrugged, fidgeting with her hands. “It’s about Ethan still holding back on me and not telling me the truth after admitting he knows more than he was letting on about three years ago.’
Daniella sighed sympathetically. “It’s never easy navigating complex emotions, especially with someone who played a significant role in your past. You need to be honest about what you truly want and whether you’re ready to risk opening up those old wounds.”
Carly nodded and gave Daniella a tight smile. “You’re right. I just wish I knew what the right choice was. Seeing him again has stirred up so many memories and unresolved feelings. I thought I had moved on, but now I’m unsure.”
She touched her lips again as Daniella looked toward the kitchen and pushed herself to her feet.
“Why don’t I make a pot of coffee?” Daniella suggested.
“I’d rather I made one.” Carly stood next to her cousin.
“I can make it,” Daniella told her. “You sit back and relax.”
“No, no,” Carly insisted. “I need to keep busy.”
Daniella’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You know, I’m beginning to think you don’t trust me with your fancy coffee-making machine.”
She followed Carly into the kitchen, a quarter the size of her Bel Air mansion kitchen and half the size of the New York apartment kitchens that Carly once owned. But the bungalow’s kitchen was modern and practical—it had everything a chef needed in their house, including an oven and hob capable of making test dishes and confectionery.
Carly also ensured she had a mini barista machine to create fancy coffees, teas, and lattes for her restaurant—a machine that her cousin and brother had yet to master. As a result, the coffee or tea they made on it was not the best—or really drinkable. However, Uncle Sam was a master with the machine, and his beverages were better than Carly’s. To be fair, Carly bought Uncle Sam the same machine that he loved and learned how to operate.
A lot better than Uncle Sam operates putting a call on hold!Carly had a mental sigh as she quickly got to work making coffee.
“Carly!” Daniella snapped her fingers, making Carly jump as she was yanked from her thoughts. “Where did you go?”
“Sorry, I was thinking about how Uncle Sam has mastered the barista machine I gave him, but he still struggles to put a call on hold to answer another one.” Carly snorted.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one he does that to,” Daniella said, leaning against a kitchen counter. “I’ve been a little offended about abruptly being cut off by him when he gets another call.”
“No. Uncle Sam does it to all of us,” Carly assured her. “Reef and Emily have tried to show him what to do numerous times, but Uncle Sam says his fingers just do what they want.”
“To be fair,” Daniella said, pulling an oops face, “I’ve done it many times myself.”
“Not to your patients, I hope.” Carly laughed, getting some coffee mugs out.
“One or two…” Daniella grimaced. “When you’re busy trying to talk to a patient, and another call comes in… I want to try to help everyone and make sure I take as many of my patients’ calls as possible, but things get confusing, and you push the wrong button.”
“I hope you at least call them back.” Carly got the honey from the cupboard. “Not like Uncle Sam, who never calls back once he’s cut you off.”
“I think he just forgets who he was talking to.” Daniella grinned. “He is seventy-seven.”
“No wonder my ears were ringing!” Sam’s voice made Carly and Daniella yelp as they jumped in fright.
“Good grief, Uncle Sam!” Daniella admonished. “You nearly scared us to death.”
