Chapter 18 #2
She didn’t have time to sort through and analyze the data in the office, so she was copying the entire hard drive. With the USB inserted, the download bar popped up on the screen. Estimated time: ten minutes.
What was she going to do for ten minutes? Wordle? A quick nap?
She spoke into her watch. “Ten minutes to download.” Just to let Markus know how long she needed. “If I’m not back in ten minutes, come looking.”
Maybe she should go to the bathroom. After tapping her foot, she decided, why not. Might as well pee. It would be weird if, after spending fifteen minutes “in the bathroom,” she had to leave to pee again. Jasmine would probably prescribe her some herbs for a UTI.
After peeing, washing her hands, and inspecting the skin on her nose, she walked back to the computer. Inner Beauty hadn’t shrunk her pores yet, and there were still eight minutes remaining.
Before she started yoga, the doorknob jiggled. Gabby made for the closet and threw herself in. Her fingernails dug into her palms. If they were coming in to do something with the computer, they’d know what she was up to. She’d have to use that taser in her purse.
Please, please, please.
A couple spilled into the room, all giggles and rustling of fabric and frantic hands. Someone plopped on the desk, and a woman said, “You are driving me wild in that dress.”
Gabby couldn’t place the voice.
“The way it’s riding up.”
There were more giggling-kissing noises.
“We need to talk, though. I moan—”
“Stop talking.”
I moan? Gabby couldn’t follow this. Were they using “moan” like a verb? I moan. You grunt. He gasps. It was probably some kind of cult-speak.
They moved closer to the closet. “What do you think of Gia and George? Who gets an invite to dinner this fast?”
“G loooves him some George.”
“Hmm. I don’t get it. Seems suspicious.”
“Agreed.”
Hmmm. Guess they weren’t totally in the clear. Gabby couldn’t get a glimpse of whoever was talking. She’d only heard one voice and giggling and nonverbal sounds from the other, but both sounded feminine. Was there a lesbian couple? Gabby couldn’t recall.
“Gia!” Someone called her name from down the hall.
“Oh shit.” Gabby heard the couple scrambling to put themselves together.
Someone else opened the door and said, “We’re looking for Gia. Genesis won’t start dinner without her.”
“Oh, she’s not in here,” the woman said, cheekily.
With their stolen moment interrupted, the couple left the room, and Gabby snuck out of the closet. She breathed a sigh of relief. The download was complete. She grabbed the USB drive, tucked in the desk chair, and made for the door.
Halfway there, footsteps padded down the hall. “Gia!” someone called.
Oh fuck. She was found out. She moved toward the closet, but the person was just outside the door. They would see her getting into the closet, which would be even weirder than lurking in the office.
“It’s dinner!” Jasmine called, her Australian accent giving her away. Gabby froze in fear for a moment. Fuck, fuck, fuck. What was she going to do? Markus wasn’t here—no kissing in a closet excuse. No…
In a flash of brilliance, it came to her. She did a deep squat in the too-tight pants, and the sound of splitting seams and rending fabric met her ears. She had done it.
She owed this excuse to frozen pizza, boxed wine, Starbucks, and the Taco Bell drive-thru. Taco Bell had officially just saved her life.
A second after Gabby’s pants completely split, Jasmine opened the door. “Gia, what are you doing in here?” She scanned the room as if to see what was stolen, clearly sure that Gabby was up to something.
Gabby felt herself blush and said, “I was seeing if there was anything I could do with these.” She turned to show Jasmine the split ass of her pants.
Jasmine blurted out a laugh. “Ohmygod. Really?” She shook her head. “Come with me.”
Gabby relaxed. Bumbling ineptitude was on her side once again, and the USB was tucked safely in her pocket.
When they sat down to dinner, Markus squeezed Gabby’s leg and whispered in her ear, his breath tickling the nape of her neck, “Nice work, Agent.”
His hot breath and the whisper of a kiss momentarily transported Gabby.
She glowed with happiness at the praise from Markus and the anticipation.
She wouldn’t mind sharing that bed tonight, as long as he never found out that she was spying on him.
Or maybe that was just the business? It was only her second mission.
With a questioning look, he asked, “Is that outfit—?”
Jasmine saw the look on his face and said, “Do you like? I was dying to have Gia try out my refined loungewear collection.”
Sweatpants. She was wearing sweatpants, and they felt so good. “I love them so much, Jasmine. I’ve never felt more at home in a pair of elegant pants.” This might be the one souvenir she would bring back.
“You don’t find them too casual?”
“Not at all.” Gabby smiled. For the first time since she’d been on the island, she felt like herself.
After dinner and dessert, Naomi called across the table, “Sheridan, when are you going to do readings for everyone here?”
G said, “Naomi’s a genius. You know it was her idea to bring Sheridan to the resort?”
That was news to Gabby. She glanced at Naomi, who was taking a sip of her mocktail.
“I’m such a big fan of Uncommon Sense. How about a reading, Sheridan?” Naomi asked again.
Sheridan politely declined, but G stepped in. “I can do you one better. I have something special for you all.”
Gabby’s heart sank. Couldn’t they all just go to bed?
She and Markus exchanged an annoyed look. But if the guy you’re spying on invites you to stay “for something special,” you can’t say no.