“Now that we’ve cleaned the vibes, let’s talk about your wedding. Gia and George are tying the knot this week. Big G has taken them on as his pet project.”
Lana set her drink down. “Gia, do you have a dress yet?”
“Um, yes. Nothing special, though.”
“Well, I would be happy to have a Huntress gown brought in. There are some shops in Lisbon. Unfortunately, they’re only sample size.” Her gaze seemed to linger on Gabby’s tummy control panel. “I’m not sure if we’d have time to do the alterations.”
“Um… thank you.” Did Lana just call her fat or offer her a free designer gown, or both?
“You’re welcome.”
Before Lana could arrange the details, Jasmine brought out a mallet and tapped a small ceremonial gong with a dramatic flourish. When the sound faded, everyone prepared to leave. Gabby had learned two things at matcha hour: 1) No one wanted to talk about Amanda Duvall, and 2) Jasmine didn’t have any sense of perspective. Ending a conversation with friends with a gong was bonkers but also a great idea. Maybe Gabby should get one for home.
As she stood to leave, Naomi looked directly at Gabby and said, “Go grab some lunch, and I’ll see you in an hour.”
Gabby tried to recall her schedule. “Wedding planning?”
“Yep, I’m on duty.”
“Really?” Gabby had never expected someone so high up in the organization to help with wedding details.
“Naomi insisted, right, Naomi?” Jasmine said.
“Actually, G insisted.” Naomi laughed. “But I’m happy to do it.”
“Can’t wait!” Gabby was mostly excited to ask some questions without Jasmine shutting her down.
Early afternoon, Naomi’s office at the Resort
After a too-long lunch with too few Diet Cokes, it was time for wedding planning. Naomi had an office in the center of the resort. The vibe was boho glam with flowing curtains and soft fabrics with gold fixtures. The walls were decorated with pictures of Jasmine and Genesis.
The TV was on. Naomi wasn’t just watching; she was glued to it.
“And I didn’t think we got screen time at this resort.”
Naomi startled at Gabby’s voice. She placed a finger over her lips. “Shhh. We don’t. But I’m a recovering CNN junkie.”
Gabby squinted. Seeing Naomi in front of a TV reminded her. Naomi wasn’t just a news junkie; she had been on the news. “You were a reporter, weren’t you?”
“Yep. I got my ass outta that rat race when I got the chance, but I still like to see what my peeps are up to.”
Naomi seemed like an obvious candidate to be selling stories to the media. She had the connections.
Gabby filed away that information as she pulled up a chair. “What are we watching?”
“The only thing anyone on TV can talk about,” Naomi said. “A photo of Amanda with President Simon has surfaced. But it’s not like they have anything to say about it.” Naomi picked up the remote to click it off, but Gabby held up her hand.
“No, I want to see it too,” Gabby said. Trying to modulate her overeager tone, she added, “I’ve been going into screen withdrawals, and I’ve only been here for a day.”
“Fair enough. Want a coffee while you rot your brain?”
“Yes, please!” Naomi was rapidly becoming Gabby’s favorite person.
Gabby relaxed into the chair with a cup of black coffee and the TV on. “Catch me up,” Gabby said.
Naomi went into newscaster mode. “There have been two developments. Number one, the president not only knew her, but there is some speculation that there was a romantic connection between the two.”
“Based on what?”
