Epilogue
Robin
Seven months later…
***
STEAM from the shower drifts into the bedroom, offering warmth to my tanned cheeks. I lay on my belly in an oversized t-shirt, the king sized bed has a permanent Robin sized shape indented into the mattress—this being the longest stay in a city we’ve spent on my book tour.
The start of spring has been magical, exploring Europe together and meeting Detective Featherton fans at each signing.
Nothing weird has happened, no one has brought up my near escape from death and so far everyone wants more of Thistle's crazy antics. I can ignore security following me everywhere, especially when he’s with me all the time too.
I’ve found inspiration for my next novel whilst out here and the entire trip has been a beautiful distraction from reality.
The sounds of Milan reach my ears from the open balcony above the canal, restaurants and bars below fully packed with laughter and chatter.
We’re getting ready to go out for the evening to find a specific seafood restaurant I found on socials, but I wanted to write down a couple of ideas I had before they escaped my mind for the night.
It’s staying lighter for longer now, but the sun touches the horizon, leaving a pink hue to the dying light and turning the entire sky violet.
It’s beautiful out here and has to be one of my favourite cities we’ve visited.
To think I had little interest in traveling before, I could do this forever if my mind would allow me to stay in an ignorant state.
The stream of water stops and the shower door slides open, the clatter of items on the sink no longer distracting me like they first did when we started this trip. Rooming with another person was daunting originally, but now we’re both in a relaxed routine, and a most needed escape we both craved.
The lights are dim, bathing the room is a soft warm glow as I finish up my work, tucking the notebook into my bedside table shelf and smoothing out the white sheets where I’d crumpled them with my body.
I stretch out like a cat, waking up my limbs and preparing them for the walk across the city which hopefully will wake me up.
After a couple more moments the door to the bathroom opens and his bare feet pad across the room, a towel slung around his waist and leaving nothing to the imagination.
His entire body is toned to perfection, but I’d never tell him that out loud.
“Forgot your clothes in there again?” I ask, smirking as I lean up, placing both my palms behind me on the bed.
“The city would be lucky to see all this.” He gestures to his body, his humour coming out the more time we’re away. For some reason he only lets me see this side of him.
Rolling my eyes, I watch him grab his clothes from the back of the chair and move across the spacious hotel room to my side of the bed. Leaning down, Cardinal plants a light kiss on my head and squeezes my shoulder.
“I won’t be long Drew, then we can swap.” He says in his low gruff voice.
Smiling up at him I nod and finally remove myself from the bed as he slips back into the bathroom.
I planned my outfit earlier so all I need to do is physically put the dress on and maybe take a cardigan, but even if I decide not to wear it, Cardy usually ends up carrying it for me.
Or my bag, the man likes to help a girl out when I normally end up chomping on some form of street food as we walk around.
Heading towards the balcony, I lean against the iron railing as I soak in the city and try to memorise every detail of our last night here.
The buzz from downstairs is addictive to imagining a life here in Italy.
A girl could dream. I was living in a bubble, so what was one more delusion to add to my fantasy?
To be continued…