Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
“What are you wearing?”
Robyn gasped, then fell into a fit of giggles. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah,” I replied while leaning against the wall next to the elevator.
A yawn fell from my lips as I rubbed my eye.
It had been a long day but the ending was worth the journey.
After reaching my destination, I called Robyn as promised.
She left for Portland this morning and we hadn't talked since she landed this afternoon.
I assumed it was because she wanted to catch up on the rest she missed last night.
“Why are you so silly?”
“Silly is the last thing I want to be right now. Come on, Goldie. Just go with it.”
The elevator dinged and I boarded along with two other people. We pressed our respective floor numbers then moved to opposing corners.
Seconds passed before she replied, “A floral print romper with lace trimming and thin straps.”
My smile grew. “You talking about the blue one?”
I remembered her wearing it during one of our movie nights. She wore a pink robe over the romper that didn’t cover much. It was just as short as the pajamas, revealing the cuff of her ass whenever she walked.
“That’s the one.”
“I like that one. But not as much as the sports bra and yoga shorts combo.”
“I can’t stand you,” she said once her laughter subsided. I bit back a smile, seemingly consumed by her.
“When are you going to bed?”
Once I reached my floor, I stepped off the elevator then rounded the corner. A sign with the room numbers directed me to the left.
Robyn sighed. “Soon if I can stop thinking about tomorrow.”
“I can help you with that.”
Her titter was throaty and inviting. “You helped enough last night, thanks.”
“Just sayin’. I know a quick method to fall asleep.”
“I bet you do,” she cooed with a laugh. “I wish you were here.”
The warmth filling my chest spread throughout my body. My cadence slowed and my breaths quickened as I reached the door.
“Open the door.” Robyn was quiet. Seconds later, I heard shuffling in the background followed by the door opening. “Hey, you,” I said after a beat of silence.
She smiled. “Hey.”
I grabbed her chin and kissed her forehead. Her hands went to my waist, grabbing handfuls of my shirt as she pulled me closer. I dropped my bag at the door then hugged her like I hadn’t seen her in months. She sighed in my arms and I did the same while keeping my hold on her firm.
Robyn looked up at me. “I’m happy you’re here.”
I smiled. “Me too.”
We let each other go reluctantly and ventured further into her suite for the weekend.
I tore my eyes away from her and the floral romper long enough to check out her room.
The style of the hotel was eccentric. Brightly colored furniture with unique wallpaper and intricately designed carpeting ran throughout the building.
I joined Robyn on the small couch, smiling at the open bottle of wine on the table.
“I was about to order room service,” she said, holding the menu up for me. “My parents are paying for the room, so order whatever you want.”
After ordering our food, Robyn flipped through channels for something to watch.
“Tomorrow’s the big day,” she said, sans enthusiasm.
“You got this, champ.” I shook her by the shoulders, pulling an easy smile from her. Robyn’s eyes bored into mine for two long seconds before she resumed channel surfing.
“I wish there was something I could do to shake away the butterflies.”
“What part of the exam are you most nervous about?”
Robyn pondered for a moment then said, “Theory is where I had trouble last time. I failed by three points. I need to trust my instincts.”
“That's it.”
I nodded, impressed with how much she’d grown since last year.
She was down for weeks after returning from Portland.
Calls and text messages went unanswered; she stopped her restaurant renovations and postponed the grand opening.
I wish there was something I could’ve done to pull her out of that funk sooner.
“So,” she sing-songed, bumping her elbow into my arm. “What made you come?”
“Remembering how sad you were last year and how I wasn’t here to support you. I wanted to be here with you this time. No matter the outcome.”
Terrance was supposed to fly in the night before to be with her.
He’d promised to be there for her, even though they’d already broken up.
On the morning of his flight, he told her he couldn’t come.
I suspected his ill-timed call also played a role in her exam performance.
He never really supported her and choosing to not be there confirmed it for me.
This time around, when she told me her siblings and parents couldn’t make it, I decided to come.
If there was anyone who deserved my unwavering support, it was Robyn.
She smiled softly, then replied, “I thought about that too. I can’t dwell on the past. Besides, my favorite person came through for me once again. I’d rather talk about that.”
“I’ll always come through for you, Goldie.”
“I know.”
We left the conversation at that and turned our attention to the television.
Whenever Robyn needed it, whether as a friend or lover, I’d be there.
Her willingness to trust me with her body was something I wouldn’t take lightly.
I knew she needed a deep connection beyond common interests.
She didn’t realize just how deeply invested I was in her.
Any problem she came to me with, I would find a solution.
If it guaranteed a smile from her, I would do it.
I loved her like my kin, but I couldn’t continue to ignore my romantic feelings.
Were we ready for anything other than friendship? I wasn’t sure. Robyn had every right to put her all into her career. Our conversation last night was enough for me to understand where she stood.
Early in the morning as we lay in my bed, I asked her the question plaguing my mind.
“What made you want to do this again?”
She shifted beneath me until she was on her stomach, peering up at me through heavy lidded eyes. Darkness surrounded the room, minus the scented candle she’d lit hours ago when she first arrived. The soft light from the fire danced across her face. I noticed a half-smile on her lips.
“I trust that you won’t misunderstand what’s happening between us.” She sat up, holding the comforter to her chest. Her gaze met mine. “I don’t want it to sound like I just want you for sex because that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
I laid still, allowing her space to vent. Robyn had never been willing to address the complexity of our relationship.
“I used to think we weren’t meant to be anything other than friends.
Our vibe was so easy-going that I didn’t want to risk ruining a good thing.
But something about us just clicks on all levels.
I’ve never had this connection or level of vulnerability with anyone.
It’s a little scary. I’m not ready to face what’s next for us, but I like how this current space feels. ”
She returned to her spot on my chest. We didn’t say anything else as the weight of her confession and the sounds of spring showers lulled us to sleep.
Robyn’s ringtone resounded throughout the hotel suite. Our gazes moved from the television to the coffee table where her phone rested. After glancing at the screen, Robyn offered me a wry smile.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, hurrying to her bedroom. The door was cracked so I overheard her greeting. “Hey, Joseph.” Her tone was pleasant, not giving any indication of how she felt about him calling.
I unlocked my phone, trying my hardest not to eavesdrop.
“No, I’m glad you called,” she said after a moment. My heart raced at her admission.
I thought she’d put him on ice.
The flirty intonation in her voice and giggles did little to help my agitation.
There was a knock at the door, prompting me to stop scrolling Instagram.
I opened the door for the room service attendant and directed him where to set up the food.
After tipping him for his service, I returned to my spot on the couch.
I uncovered dishes; a salmon Caesar salad for Robyn and a cheeseburger and fries for me.
Robyn glanced out of her room and mouthed, “one second”, to me. “Yeah, I think our communication could be a little better too,” she said in a quieter tone.
Was she afraid of me overhearing their conversation?
I grabbed the remote from the table and looked through the guide for something to watch.
The more I heard her responses, the more irritated I became.
After settling for reruns of Law & Order, I started eating.
Minutes later, Robyn returned with reddened cheeks.
She sat next to me, holding her salad bowl in her hands while eating.
“Sorry about that.”
I popped a fry into my mouth then shrugged. “It's cool. After we finish eating, I’m gonna head to my room so you can get some sleep.”
“You booked a separate room?” Her eyebrows shot up.
“Surprising you is one thing, expecting you to share your space with me after popping up is invasive.”
She laughed. “You’re right. I just assumed you would stay with me.”
“Nah. Not this time.”
Robyn faced the TV, seemingly in deep thought. “When are you leaving?”
“Sunday morning.”
“Two nights off from work? I’m proud of you.”
“Sunny was on me about taking time off. I finally listened.”
It was taking everything in me not to call Summer to see how the opening duties were going. Our Open Mic Nights were guaranteed to draw a packed house. But I trusted Summer to lead the crew tonight. Everyone was capable of handling themselves while the boss was away.
“Good. Tomorrow after my exam, I want to go to dinner and find a bar or something. I’ll get recs from Starling. He has friends out here.”
“Sounds good. Whatever you wanna do is cool with me.”
She smiled then continued eating.