Never Ever by Sara Saedi

sure it was just a fight,” Micah jumped in. “She had too much to drink. She’s probably sent you a million apology texts by now.”
    â€œWell, then she’s gonna be even more pissed that I’m not responding to any of them. And maybe she was drunk, but alcohol just makes everyone more honest. She told me last night she didn’t want to wait for me. I never asked her to. I never thought I had to—she just always said she would.”
    Abigail and Wylie had grown to be good friends, butAbigail had never mentioned wanting to end things with Joshua. Then again, Wylie was his sister. She wasn’t exactly the ideal person to confide in about that topic.
    â€œAbigail loves you,” she told her brother. “She just needs time, that’s all.”
    Tinka entered the room without knocking, bringing their conversation to a halt. She now sported a form-fitting camouflage-print dress and wore her short hair slicked back. Micah practically had to wipe the drool from his mouth.
    â€œIt’s time for dinner. Follow me.”
    The dining room was only a short walk away from the bungalow, but Tinka took the scenic route: back down the stairs and past the lagoon. Kerosene lamps, paper lanterns, and tealight candles lit up the grounds. The stars were magnificent. They seemed to cover every inch of the black sky above them. The ones they’d flown below in Manhattan looked dull in comparison. The dining room was filled with kids cleaning their plates, but Tinka took them to a private room off to the side of the common area, which was currently quiet and empty.
    The table was decorated with small centerpieces filled with burro’s tail and dandelions. The fish Lola had been preparing was now grilled and laid out on a large platter. The seasoning and marinade gave it a lavender finish, a hue none of the Daltons had ever associated with seafood. The fish was surrounded by sautéed vegetables, some of which Wylie couldn’t identify. On both ends of the table, oysters on the half shell rested on ice. Each place setting also had its very own shrimp cocktail with a thick green dipping sauce. Wylie thought about how she could hone her cooking skillsby helping Lola out in the kitchen, but even if that never happened and they left for home tomorrow, she knew this meal alone would make their journey worth it.
    Eight empty chairs surrounded the table. Tinka pointed out their seats. Wylie and Joshua sat across from each other, both next to the head of the table. Wylie assumed the seat at the head was reserved for Phinn. Micah took the seat next to Wylie, and Tinka sat across from him.
    After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Maz and Bandit, the two boys who had left the lagoon with Phinn, walked in and sat down. Lola, showered and changed from when they’d first met her in the kitchen, followed closely behind. She had her wet hair tied into a tight bun at the top of her head. With all the cooking and gardening, she probably didn’t have time to fuss over her appearance—not that she needed to anyway. She grabbed the seat next to Maz, and they exchanged a quick kiss with the casualness of a couple who’d been together for a long time.
    Bandit was the first of the group to speak up. “I hope you guys realize you’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime by being here. Phinn’s very selective about who he brings to the island.”
    Wylie was sick of all the veiled statements and mystery. She wished someone would just tell them why they were here, but she didn’t expect any answers until Phinn arrived. They waited for him in relative silence, the giant platters of food taunting them. At one point, Micah reached across the table for a carafe of white wine, but Maz stopped him.
    â€œWe don’t eat or drink until Phinn arrives,” he said sternly.
    â€œMy mistake.” Micah was so embarrassed, he barely got the words out.
    â€œIt’s okay. You