Page 72 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Which you’re not doing a good job of,” Alex teased and then gave Ethan a reassuring smile. “You’re doing an amazing job holding things together.”
“You’re holding the truth ball, Al,” Bailey reminded him. “I think it’s time to tell him the truth.”
“Then you start,” Alex handed the ball back to Bailey through the screen. “There you go.”
“Fine!” Bailey pulled a face at Alex. “Ethan, you’re our big brother…”
“By twenty minutes,” Ethan added.
“Okay!” Bailey shrugged. “While you are the most brilliant movie director, your business acumen is not quite there.”
“Inever said it was,” Ethan clarified. He knew what his siblings were about to say. He wasn’t a fool. “So I’m going to stop you right there, Bails.” He smiled at them. “To say thank you, both of you, for helping me run the company until Princess Bailey here takes over.”
“You knew?” Alex frowned.
“While my business acumen may not be what yours and Bailey’s are, I’m not an idiot.” Ethan shook his head. “I didn’t think little elves came out each night and got things sorted out.”
“I’m glad that’s out in the open,” Bailey said, handing Ethan the truth ball. “Here, take this.”
Ethan frowned and took it, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “I thought it was still Alex’s turn.”
“I have some questions for you,” Bailey told him. Putting her phone down, she leaned on the desk, watching Ethan intently.
“Okay,” Ethan said with a sigh. “Fire away.”
“Who do you think is stalking you and Carly?” Bailey asked.
“I don’t know,” Ethan told her with a shrug.
“Rubbish!” Alex said, his eyes narrowing. “You have a suspicion, don’t you?”
“That’s all it is right now, a suspicion,” Ethan told them. “Didn’t the both of you just point out that I’m too quick to accuse without first gathering all the facts?”
“That’s not what we said,” Bailey pointed out. “Who do you think it is?”
Ethan sighed. “I have a few suspects at the moment.”
“Am I still one of them?” Alex asked him with raised brows.
“No.” Ethan shook his head. “To be honest, I always doubted you ever were.”
“You had a funny way of showing that.” Alex snorted.
“Are you in love with Carly?” Bailey’s question cut through the room, striking Ethan like a thunderbolt.
Ethan turned to his sister, his pulse racing, a lump forming in his throat as the words echoed in his mind. Memories flooded him— the voice recording, the images of Carly and Parker entwined in an intimate embrace. A sharp pang of betrayal and hurt pierced through him, leaving him breathless. He looked down at his hands, feeling the ghostly weight of his shattered heart cradled within them.
“I—“ Ethan clenched his jaw, and he took a breath. His voice was gruff as he answered, “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
“It’s a yes or no question,” Bailey instructed him.
“Why are you asking me that?” Ethan deflected.
“You are in love with her!” Alex said, his face falling in realization.
“Does it even matter?” Ethan couldn’t stop the bitterness resonating in his voice. “The evidence you brought to light proves that Carlywas leading me on three years ago, and she’s probably doing the same again.”
“Out of revenge for whatIdid to her three years ago,“ Alex spat angrily. “I’m sorry, Ethan.”
