Gabe releases his glass of water and reaches a hand out toward me. I take it without a second thought.

“Why did you invite me?” I ask.

“I couldn’t not,” he says. “It’s not a good enough reason but it is the reason.”

“I couldn’t not go,” I say.

“I—” he says.

“Well, it looks like neither of you have killed the other,” Ollie says.

He sits down, oblivious to the moment he just interrupted. My hand has already returned to my lap. Gabe’s is flat on the table.

“No,” Gabe says.

“No murders committed,” I say.

Neither of us is looking at the other.

“Great,” Ollie says. “Glad I can trust the two of you with steak knives. Let’s eat.”

TIME OUT NEW YORK

Bond on Broadway
[EXCERPT]

By Nina Wood

THIS WEEKEND, GABE PARKER RETURNS to his roots.

“It’s a bit like being back in college,” he tells me. “And I’m just as nervous as I was then.”

He’s taking time in between the Saturday matinee and evening previews to talk about his Broadway debut as Karl Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun.

The part is not the one you’d expect a big-name star like Parker to take, but he says he’s always loved the play and jumped at the chance to be involved, in any way possible.

“I’m not completely naïve,” he says. “I know there will be plenty of people coming to see if I mess up my lines or get lost onstage or something like that. But you know, if it gets people to buy tickets and come to the theatre, they can cheer for my failure all they want.”

He says it with a smile, likely knowing, as well as I do, that he seems to do his best work when he’s considered the underdog.

“The lower the expectations the better,” he jokes.

I ask about his family—if they’re looking forward to his Broadway debut.

“My mom’s my date for opening night,” he says. “She’s very excited.”

And his wife, former model and Bond girl Jacinda Lockwood? Rumors are that she’s still in London, unable to see her hubby’s debut.

“She’s always cheering me on, in spirit, if not in person,” Parker says.

Chapter 18

Chapter
18

“I’LL CHECK OUT THE SITE tomorrow,” Gabe says to Ollie as we cross the parking lot.

“We could go right now,” he says. “It’s not too late.”

Gabe looks at me. This trip has a distinct third-wheel vibe, but the truth is, I’m not entirely sure if I’m the third wheel or if Ollie is.

“I’m pretty tired,” I say.

Gabe looks at Ollie. Something wordless passes between them and Ollie shrugs.

“Yeah,” Gabe says. “It’s been a long day.”