Page 7 of The Library on Plum Island
“Nut milk?” Alex closed the door and gave Harriet a pained look. “I hope you got some good old cow’s milk?”
“No!” Harriet shook her head. “Do you know that cows’ milk is meant to turn a baby cow into a thousand-pound cow?”
“Are you saying I’m turning into a thousand-pound cow because I like milk? I was taught it was full of calcium that is good for my bones and teeth.” He opened the bottle of pills and took two with a gulp of water. “What I think the real question here is, are you calling my mother a liar?”
“What?” Harriet gaped at him. “How did you get from nut milk to me calling your mother a liar?”
“A natural progression to the subject based on the topic of cow’s milk versus nut milk.” Alex took a seat on a stool in front of the kitchen counters and opened the box of pizza. “I could argue that nut milk is created in the most violent ways.” He pulled out a piece of pizza. “At least the cow isn’t killed to get its milk. But the nut…” He widened his eyes and shook his head. “They’re crushed until the milk is squashed and squeezed out of them.” He took a bite of pizza and chewed before saying with a wide grin. “That’s why it’s probably so expensive as it’s actually nut tears.”
Harriet sighed and rolled her eyes as she folded the paper bag and put it in the holder on top of dozens of others. “You’re an idiot.” She took two plates from a cupboard and some paper napkins and put them in front of each other before taking a seat opposite Alex. “I see you managed to shower without getting the cast wet.”
“I used my sailing drawstring bag to cover it since it was the only waterproof item I had at the moment,” Alex explained. “Of course, I have my sailing gear too, but since I was about to shower, wearing a waterproof coat didn’t seem practical for getting clean.”
“No, probably not.” Harriet took a piece of pizza from each box before moving the subject back to his hand. “Daniella said you should put a pillow beside you when you sleep to put your arm on.”
“I will do that.” Alex nodded, finishing off a second slice of pizza. “This pizza is good.”
“Not bad for a gluten-free base and non-dairy cheese,” Harriet told him, making him pause with a slice halfway to his mouth.
“What was that?” Alex dumped the pizza on the plate. “Are you kidding me?” He leaned on the counter. “First, you changed my milk, and now you’re messing with my cheese?” He glanced at the pizza. “I hope that’s real pepperoni and not some tofu stuff.”
Harriet started to laugh. “Oh, that was way too easy.” She shook her head. “Relax. It’s real cheese, but the base is gluten-free becauseIcan’t eat gluten because of my stomach problems.”
“Right!” Alex nodded, picking up his slice. “It’s not that bad.”
“Carly’s chef is amazing,” Harriet told him. “That’s where I met Daniella, Harley, Brad, Dawn, and Ethan.”
“Ethan’s back?” Alex pursed his lips. “He hasn’t called.”
“He was going to when he got home, but I told him not to in case you were sleeping,” Harriet told him.
“Thanks, Mom!” Alex mocked. “Is Carly okay after our ordeal?”
“She’s fine.” Harriet got up and went to get a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “She’s worried about you and Shay.”
“That’s sweet.” Alex took another slice of pizza. “So it was at Carly’s restaurant that you discussed that you were going to move into my house and take over?”
“No, keep an eye on you while you’re in a cast,” Harriet told him, unabashed about taking over his life. “Dawn’s moving in as well.”
Alex’s jaw dropped as he stared at Harriet. “Great!” he said, putting the slice of pizza back on his plate and drinking some water. “So I’m going to have two bossy women living here?”
“This place is almost as big as the hotel,” Harriet said, looking into the kitchen. “Your kitchen is bigger than some three-bedroomed apartments. You won’t even know we’re here,” she sipped water. “Besides, you have the entire top-floor penthouse suite.”
“I like my space,” Alex said defensively.
“This is way too much space for a bachelor,” Harriet pointed out.
“Says the woman who grew up in a palace!” Alex snorted.
“It wasn’t a palace!” Harriet corrected him.
“Sorry, my mistake—a castle!” Alex rolled his eyes. “How many rooms did that have in it again?” He raised his hand. “Or should I rather ask how many wings it had?”
“You exaggerate!” Harriet shook her head. “And I know you’re grateful that Dawn and I will be staying here with you. So you’re welcome.”
Alex smiled at his long-time friend and finished the pizza. “I’m so full now.”
“Not surprising, as you ate three-quarters of the one pizza,” Harriet pointed out.
