Page 58 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
The mention of the legendary entertainment attorney who also ran an infamous PR firm sent a spurt of adrenaline through him. “Yes, I did.”
“And still, you pulled something like this.” Jennifer’s eyes dropped to the document in her hand. “Wow. That’s arrogance. It must be nice to think you can hide behind the Blackwell name.”
“Trust me,no oneis safe from that viper, Paige!“ Ethan assured Jennifer. “Paige Garland strikes fear in the most powerful people.”
“I know.” Jennifer’s eyes filled with admiration. “Harriet and I have decided Paige is our new hero.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Ethan told her, glancing past Jennifer. “Please, can you let me see Carly?” His eyes pleaded his case to her. “I’m telling the truth when I say I didn’t authorize these questions.”
“Give Carly some time, Ethan,” Jennifer advised, her tone softening as she read the sincerity in his eyes. “She’s upset. We all are and need time to process this.”
“Just give me five minutes to explain—“ Ethan started.
“No, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Jennifer gently closed the door, leaving Ethan to stand in the quiet hallway, feeling frustrated and angry at an invisible entity pulling the strings of his life.
He swiveled, deciding to find Harley and tell him what happened before someone else did. Ethan hit the button for the elevator, and it dinged within a few seconds. The door slid open to reveal Harriet looking at him in surprise.
“You’re the last person that should be showing his face around here,” Harriet advised.
“I didn’t do this, Harriet,” Ethan stated. “And I need to see Carly to tell her.”
“Really?” Harriet looked at him in disbelief. “It was your name that was signed on the document.”
“You forgot the alleged part of that sentence,” Ethan pointed out. “I allegedly signed that document.” He held it up to see. “This isnotmy signature.”
Harriet leaned forward and looked at it. “No, even I can see that’s not your terrible scrawl.”
“Thank you!” Ethan looked at her. “While not very complimentary of my penmanship, at least you can see it wasn’t mine.” He drew in a breath. “So, please, can you get me into your suite to tell Carly?” he implored, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “She thinks I betrayed her with that interview.”
Harriet’s expression softened, and she nodded slowly. “Okay. But remember, trust is delicate. Carly’s had her fair share of knocks. If you’re going into that room, you’d better carry nothing but the truth with you.”
“Thank you,” Ethan said, hugging her as the gravity of her words weighed heavily upon him.
“Come on,” Harriet said with a resignation, turning to lead the way. “You’d better not be about to ruin another friendship for me,” she warned, pulling out her keycard.
Ethan smiled at his lifelong friend. Harriet was the most loyal, albeit cutting, truthful, friend anyone could hope for. She had always been the anchor in the tumultuous sea of their industry—straightforward,no-nonsense Harriet. Back when his life was little more than a series of scenes directed by impulse, she had been there—a true friend, quick to call him out but even quicker still to lend a hand. She defended those she loved as fiercely as she loved them. Ethan knew, as did the rest of their friendship circle, how lucky they were to have Harriet in their lives.
As Harriet stood with her keycard at the ready in front of her door, she turned to look at him. Ethan smiled. She held herself like a princess, yet a person never thought she was lording her upbringing over them as she treated everyone with equal respect as long as they weren’t acting disrespectfully.
“Ready?” Harriet asked.
Ethan nodded, even though his heart hammered with the fear of what lay beyond that door. The door clicked as Harriet’s keycard ran over it and swung open. She walked in first to pave the way.
“Hey, now don’t be mad at me,” Harriet told the occupants, “but I’ve brought a visitor who’d really like to explain the part they played in today’s ambush of Stella Hart.”
“Harriet, please don’t tell me you…” Before Jennifer could finish her sentence, Ethan stepped into the suit, giving her a small wave. Her disbelieving gaze turned to Harriet. “We need to work on our communication skills.”
“Are you going to bring up me shooting you again?” Harriet asked Jennifer.
“I wasn’t!” Jennifer told her.
While they bickered, Ethan slipped past them, gently knocking on the bedroom door. His breath caught in his throat when he heard Carly.
“Come in,” Carly called, oblivious to who was on the other side.
“Carly?” Ethan began, voice steady despite the turmoil churning inside him.
“Ethan!” Carly gasped, spinning around on the stool she was sitting on at the desk. “What are you—“ She frowned. “Who let you in?”
