“The product, I mean.”
Markus wrapped his arm around Gabby’s waist protectively as they approached.
Genesis locked eyes with her. “Gia, it’s so good to see you again,” he said, taking one of her hands. He held it an uncomfortably long time. “I can see why George fell for you. You have a glow that comes from deep within.” He said “deep” in an actual deeper voice. And gestured to her lower belly.
She laughed uncomfortably. Was he trying to point out her uterus? Because she knew for sure that’s not where the glow came from. Just cramps. And a small fibroid, according to her gyno.
“Any glow I have tonight, I owe to your wife,” Gabby said. She turned to Jasmine. “Thank you so much. I was wondering, though, is this redness normal?”
“I’m sure you’re fi—” Jasmine started to say before doing a double-take. “Don’t use whatever you used tonight again.”
That would have been everything.
Genesis said, “Maybe you should start testing that stuff on animals. Speaking of animals”—Genesis pointed to some tuna poke canapes—“Jasmine let me have some meat tonight.”
Jasmine patted his arm. “Genesis is such a typical man.”
… If reclining in his personal wave pool with his extra-large D out for the world to see was typical.
“How did the wedding planning go today? Naomi mentioned that you looked at places for the ceremony.” He looked at them intensely. This man was as invested in her love for Markus as much as her mother was in her relationship with Phil.
“Yes, I’m thinking the beach,” Gabby said because she was a good girl, “I want to be connected to nature when we say our vows.”
Markus squeezed her hand, either because she was doing such a good job schmoozing the cult leader or because he was having feelings.
“Jasmine and I got married on this property before we bought the resort,” Genesis said with a faraway look like he was reliving the moment. “A fox appeared to me that morning.”
Was that good or bad?
“We’ll take any tips you have,” Markus said. “About marriage.”
Not about wildlife. Gabby got the impression Genesis didn’t know much.
“I got you, Lil’ G.” Genesis clapped Markus on the back.
Gabby almost choked on her molecules at “Lil’ G.” Maybe Valentina was right. Was Markus his sidekick?
G put an arm around each of them. And with more intensity than felt manageable to Gabby, he said, “Having you say your vows at the retreat, marrying into Inner-G—I am grateful for the trust you have placed in Jasmine and me. Especially you, Gia. This is a leap of faith for you.”
Gabby smiled, an actress playing the part of a peaceful bride, but G left her feeling anything but peaceful. His presence was unsettling on a molecular level.
Like inspiration just struck, G said, “You know, how would you like to get married on the yacht?”
Gabby gasped. “Really?”
“Surrounded by the ocean on all sides. You can tap into your Inner-G as a couple and begin your journey into oneness in connection with the life-giving force of our planet.” He was not using an inside voice. G was always preaching, it seemed. “It would promote abundance and fertility.”
Gabby choked. Fertility?
Markus did anaww yeahhead nod, totally fine with the concept of knocking someone up. Gabby tried to remember his stance on children. If he wanted more than an eight-year-old and a fourteen-year-old, they might have issues.
“We’d love to get married on the yacht, but only if you perform the ceremony,” Gabby improvised. “It would mean so much to George and me.”
Genesis swelled with importance. “I would be honored.”
“Would you like to meet some of our inner circle?” Genesis asked, taking Gabby’s arm and steering her toward a group of old white guys who looked like they could be congressmen, even if they weren’t.
Gabby nodded. “I would love to meet the Inner-Gs, but first, could you point me toward the restroom?”
