She and Markus and her ex–Red Lobster date sat down with Jasmine, who couldn’t seem to focus on conversation. G didn’t sit down at all. He was circulating, clapping people on backs, but obviously distracted, scanning the crowd instead of actively listening to anyone. He was looking for someone.
As Gabby dug into her sushi, Phil said, “The finances on this place just don’t make sense. The coastal property, luxury everything. And is it just me, or does this All You Can Eat Seafood spread remind anyone of—”
He didn’t even have to say it.
“God, I miss those biscuits,” Gabby said, with true feeling.
Phil caught her eye and said, “Me too.” For a second, they were both back in 2010 when things hadn’t sucked.
The boxed make-at-home version had never turned out as well. Same went for their marriage, it turned out.
Phil gestured to the table of seafood. “All you can eat shrimp—that’s how Red Lobster went down.”
Markus said, “They declared bankruptcy, but they’re still around. They weathered the storm.”
Phil nodded meaningfully, like that could be them, and Gabby quickly said, “I’m sure it’s not as good as before. Sometimes you have to know when to call it.” She was looking right at Phil.
Phil was right back to finances, though. “What does it cost to stay here? Are the guests payingthatmuch?”
Phil wouldn’t know. The EOD was picking up his tab.
“I don’t know the international tax situation. Maybe they’ve found some loopholes.” Phil popped a shrimp in his mouth. Just like the old days.
G stalked toward them, nothing casual about him. “Have you seen Sheridan today?”
Gabby shook her head. “No. Is something wrong?”
“She hasn’t shown up for anything.” He glanced around. “Where is she?”
“I’m sure she’s at her cottage,” Jasmine said.
“Her stuff is all there. She’s gone.”
“You need to drop it, G,” Jasmine said. She walked off as if to get another cocktail, but it was really just because she couldn’t deal with her husband. Gabby could read the signs.
She and Markus exchanged a glance. Two things: 1) G seemed legitimately upset, which was a point in his favor regarding the attempted murder-slash-break-in that had happened earlier. 2) Gabby lost her train of thought. It’d come back to her.
A few minutes later, Genesis sat down. He dropped his head between his knees and rubbed his hands through his hair until it was super messed up. “Fuuuuuuuck.”
Phil was seated next to him and looked over while eating a shrimp. “You know, I loved you in that movie.”
“Power Couple?”
“No.”
“G-Force, that was so fucking cool.”
“Wasn’t that the one about guinea pigs?” Gabby asked. She was sure she’d watched aG-Forcemovie with the kids.
Phil shook his head with disdain. “No. It’s the one with Genesis where he’s jumping out of planes from extra-high altitude into danger zones.”
Gabby held up a hand before they went on a plot deep-dive that was even weirder than the one she was experiencing. “I’m sure she’s okay, G.”
“Where the fuck is she? It’s not like she went to the mall.”
“I heard she went into San Juan de Miguel to meet a friend,” Gabby said.
“Really?” He scanned the group again. “People were already upset that I brought her down here. Jasmine accused me of kidnapping her. She loves it though. I thought so, at least.”
