Page 27 of Off Plan

“Really?” Gloria turned to look in the mirror hanging by the door, and her pale cheeks blushed. “Why, Fenn Reardon, aren’t you just the sweetest?”

“No, ma’am. You are.” There was an unmistakable ring of truth in his voice. “Let me be the first to introduce you to Big Rafe’s newest employee! Gloria Frye, this is Dr. Mason Bloom. Loafers, this is Gloria, the woman whoreallyruns this island.”

“Oh, you!” Gloria turned an even deeper red and held out a hand for me to shake. Her palm was damp, which was no surprise given the heat of the day. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Bloom.” She hesitated. “Will you start taking patients soon? I have a few questions of a personal nature…” She licked her lips and leaned closer to me. “…about a problem with my foot? And I hate to trouble my doctor over in Sarasota. She’s always so busy.”

“See, Ms. Frye, the thing is—”

“Oh, no! You call me Gloria! People on Whispering Key don’t get real formal, do we, Fenn? You’ll get accustomed to it soon enough, Doc.” She blinked guileless blue eyes up at me, and I hesitated.

I forced a smile. “I mean, I guess I—”

“Rafe!” Fenn yelled, saving me from answering. “Get over here and greet your new employee!”

Rafe Goodman turned toward us. He frowned at Fenn, but when he saw me, he grinned.

“Hang on just a second, Marvin!Meh.” He clasped the phone to his chest, right where the wordMayorwas emblazoned in white. “Let him talk himself out, eh?”

He stepped forward with his hand outstretched and sighed with satisfaction. “Dr. Bloom. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“Mr. Goodman.” I shook his hand but didn’t return his smile. “I wish I could say the same, but we have some things to discuss.”

“Of course! Yes! Of course we do!” Rafe nodded. “I’m sure you have many questions, and I’m happy to answer every single one of them. Just let me finish this call, alright? It’s about the Whispering Key Labor Day Extravaganza.Can’t be delayed!”

Fenn plopped on the sofa next to Gloria’s seat, ignoring the way the springs protested. “We’ll wait here.”

“Nonsense.” Rafe scowled. “You’ll take Mason to my office while I finish up, Fenn. Explain the history of the island to him so he understands what makes Whispering Key so unique.”

“Me? Explain what’s unique about this place?” Fenn gave an exaggerated yawn. “Idon’t give a shit about the history of the island. Why wouldhe?”

“Gloria, show the boys out.” Rafe turned back to his conversation with a “Yes! I’m here, Marvin!” and I raked both hands through my hair, which had to lookamazingat this point, but I couldn’t find even one fuck to give.

I looked at Fenn, and he shrugged, daring me to speak up.

Fine.

“Mr. Goodman,” I demanded loudly. “Mr. Goodman!”

Rafe barely glanced in my direction. He gave me a tight smile and made a shooing motion toward the back of the house.

“But Mr. Goodman, I insist that you—”

“Fenn Reardon! Doc Bloom!” Gloria chided, like we were a pair of seven-year-olds, though she’d known me less than three minutes. “Go on now, boys, and do what Mr. Goodman says!”

It was remarkably effective. I clenched my fists at my sides as steam escaped my ears.

“Ohhhh. Now I get it,” Fenn said appreciatively. He twirled a finger in the air and pointed at my face. “Serial killer vibe. It’s scary as fuck.”

I inhaled sharply through my nose. I couldn’t say what color my aura was just then, but it was sure as hell not white. “Where’s this damn office?”

Fenn snorted. He got to his feet and stalked past me, bumping his shoulder into mine so I stumbled backward. He led me down a short hall past a bedroom and a small bathroom to a little mudroom.

“Once again, very mature,” I said, chasing after him. “Where are we going?”

Fenn pushed open a screen door. “The office. Obvs.”

“You keep the office in the backyard?” I scoffed. “Nice try.”

Fenn rolled his eyes. “You caught me, Loafers. It’s all a ploy. The gecko slipped me five bucks to get you out here alone. He’s coming back to finish the job.”