“Merle told you he forgot to lock up? I'm pretty sure when I went to the bathroom before bed, he told me he was going to check if the hotel was locked up for the night.”
“So he did leave your room? How long was he gone for?”
“I'm not sure. I ran the shower but zoned out and sat on the floor for a while. He was already in bed when I was done, so I just assumed he locked up and went to sleep early.” he shrugs and looks down at his hands in his lap, cradling the bottle of juice.
My mind stores the information for later and I do feel like a terrible friend for questioning his whereabouts. I'd known Merle as Bran's brother before he'd even met my best friend and I couldn't have sang his praises any higher to him, but I didn'tknow him very well. They spent a lot of time by themselves, but I assume that's what happens when you’re in a relationship. Merle was his first serious boyfriend.
I stand from the bed and gesture for him to follow, grabbing the sketchpad from the desk. Ripping blank pages out, I lay them on the floor in one large rectangle that will need taping.
Phin stands above me and lets out a long whistle. “You have it baddddd.”He sings.
I look up to find him holding one of the many drawings of Robin’s eyes; obviously her own best friend would recognise them as clearly as my mind can now too. “This is very stalker-esque behaviour Wrennie.”
“Don’t even go there.” I warn, but the idea of knowing everything about her, sends little tingles down my body and shamelessly straight to my balls.
Well hello new kink.
It’s probably for the best to keep that little revelation to myself.
Phin schools me with a flat look. “You’ve got a really intense look in your eye and if it continues, I will steal my best friend away and never tell you her location.”
“Ouch. One, I’m your best friend. Two, I’d be really good for her and I’ll be offended if you don't agree.”
“Of course I agree, why do you think I tried setting you both up together? I’m rethinking it now, I’d never see either of you.” I wave my hand in the air to disable any conversation about my stubborn rejections of meeting her, but he continues. “I think you didn't want to meet Robin because you actually listened to everything I told you about her, knew she'd be really good for you, got scared of that possibility and let being terrified of something different ruin your chance.”
I kneel to grab a red Sharpie from the edge of the table and point it up at him. I’m dying to come up with a rebuttal, but he knows he's won when he shimmies his hips and I just endup glaring harder. Aggressively tearing the pen lid off with my teeth, I start writing all the guests names, each person to one sheet of paper. I then tediously write the four titles:Relation, Motive, WhereaboutsandSecret. It takes me a little while, but finally I rest back on the balls of my feet, looking at my progress. She is going to love this and then we can be friends again, until I convince her to be my undying lover for the rest of our lives.
Phin peers over my shoulder and I outstretch my arms, fluttering my fingers. “There we go. Let’s write where everyone was, who they are and what possible reason they could have. I don’t really believe it was one of us, so maybe this can prove it. If they think she has something to do with it, we can show them they’re wrong. Maybe prove none of us did either. I think it’s smart if we find the rest of the secrets too. It could have something to do with why someone would attack him.” I’m cautious of being insensitive with Phin, but I'm starting to wonder about things I don’t want to voice. What was the murder weapon? Where did it go? Did we need to search the property? The pool house? I couldn’t ask that of him.
Like invisible strings tether us together, the smallest knock echoes on the door and I just know it’s her. After a brief pause, Robin steps into the room, still in that little sundress which is down right sinful over her gentle hips. She looks adorable but makes my mouth water all the same imagining getting my lips on her. The stress line creasing her brow stops my insane thoughts, she rings her hands together in tight movements. Her warm but panicked eyes bounce from me, to the room, until locating Phin which seems to ease her shoulders.
Springing to my feet as she closes the door, I had wanted to give her my surprise in a more romantic sense, but as I pull out the bag of chocolates from my suitcase, I'm able to relax a little at how bright her eyes spark. They practically glaze over and I hope to god this is a happy gift and she's not going to cry.
“I’m sorry.” Is what decides to fall out of my mouth, even though I'm pretty sure her distance isn't directed at something I've done to her.
She laughs. “Hey, I don't know what you're sorry for but if random apologies come with chocolate, I’m not complaining.”
“Cute. Mum and Dads first fight.” Phin chimes, leaning one arm against the desk.
Rolling her eyes at him, she takes the chocolate from me and wastes no time ripping into the packet. “Shut up you tyrant. No one's fighting.”
No we're not, but the way she shut me out last night scared me more than it should have. I’m not delusional, I knowit’s alarming how fast these feelings are growing for her. I’ve never felt this for anyone, even at a reasonable pace. She’s all consuming and I’m her willing victim. It suddenly hits me that she’s not outward like him, so how I live might terrify her. I couldn’t blame her for not wanting that level of attention.
Looking past me, she notices the papers on the floor. “What's this?”
“Ah. Seeing as I didn’t get my lovely wife a wedding gift, I thought I'd make you one. Your very own murder board.” I extend my hand out to the floor and move to the side so she can step closer to see. Her cinnamon scent enchants me, warming the room. It's like she turns on the lights inside me, wafts the dusty sheets from the furniture and settles in. Without thinking I step behind her and lean my head on top of hers, the height difference adorable.
“You smell delicious.”
“Alright Hannibal.”
I snort and her head whips around. “DidtheWren Hastings just snort?”
This time I roll my eyes, tugging lightly on a strand of her hair. “Unknown to the population, I’m an incredibly funny guy.”
It’s Phin’s turn to snort,“Yeah right.”
“Don't lie. I’m the funniest person you know. Agree or remove yourself.” I point my finger at him and playfully he pretends to bite it, before announcing his departure to go find his boyfriend and organise dinner. I hadn't even thought about feeding myself, but I already crave another coffee and Robin has started to devour the bag of chocolate. A satisfied feeling lingers in my chest.
