Page 2 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“It’s Plum Island, Harry,” Gray pointed out. “How many people even read the tabloids there?”
“More than you’d think,” Harriet commented. “Besides, as you know, this town is now crawling with film crews, actors, and paparazzi.”
“Oh!” Gray responded. “So what you’re telling me is that it wasn’t the best idea to drive there in a car that stands out in a city like New York?”
“What?” The blood drained from Harriet’s face as his words sank in. “You’re here already, aren’t you?”
“I’m just about there,” Gray told her. “Dawn said you usually go to the Beach Hut for a smoothie before going back to your hotel suite. I thought I could join you. I should be pulling into the car park on the beachfront in about three minutes, according to the GPS.”
Harriet turned. Her heart pounded as she took off in a sprint toward the Beach Hut. Her mind was whirling and she wasn’t watching where she was going as she neared the cafe. Harriet rushed around the corner and ran into a solid wall of muscle.
“Oof.” The man’s tall shadow blocked out the sun as he towered over her.
Harriet bounced off him and stumbled backward as a hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her from falling onto her butt.
“Watch it,” the familiar voice said, and her eyes widened. Her head shot up to meet a pair of unamused blue eyes. “You again!”
His hand dropped from her wrist, leaving her skin tingling from his touch.
“I…” Harriet’s voice was croaky from her throat going dry, and she was out of breath from the sprint and collisions. “I…” She swallowed. “Sorry.”
Of all the people in the world to run into, why did it have to be Finn Shaw?Harriet couldn’t believe how her perfect morning had suddenly become a disaster zone.
“You know you’re not in the city anymore,” Finn told her. “You should try slowing down and enjoying small community life. You may live a bit longer.”
“I’m sorry… I…” The rumble of a powerful engine caught Harriet’s attention.
She and Finn turned toward the sound as a low-slung black Bugatti Veyron pulled into the parking lot.
“Wow!” Finn said with a low whistle as the sleek car pulled into a parking space near the Beach Hut. “Now, there’s something you don’t see every day in this little town.”
“Shoot!” Harriet groaned, closing her eyes for a second to compose herself.
Finn glanced at her curiously. “Friend of yours?”
“Not exactly,” Harriet mumbled. “Excuse me.”
She cautiously stepped around Finn and was about to rush toward the Bugatti before the person she wanted to murder got out but was stopped when another human wall stepped in front of her.
“Good grief!” Harriet fumed. “I’m caught in a giant human maze!”
“Good morning to you too, Harry,” Alex Blackwell grinned at her. “Where’s the fire?”
“That’s not funny,” Harriet told him. “Especially in light of recent events. You know, like your house being burned down and your boat going up in flames.”
“I’ve come to terms with it,” Alex told her.
His eyes moved toward where the tall, dark-haired man was climbing out of the car.
“Drat!” Harriet hissed, pushing past Alex.
This time, she looked both ways to ensure there was no more oncoming human traffic before crossing the distance from the cafe to the car park.
“Hey, wait up, Harry,” Alex called after her.
Harriet ignored him as she rushed toward her target.
“Hey, Harry.” Before Harriet could respond, she was scooped into a bear hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
