Partners In Crime

8• Small pockets of life

=3 days left=

The two then headed back down to Tranquility's restaurant. Alex, with the notion that Miles, his family, or anyone in Solana's family could see them together not acting like a couple enough, began inching closer and closer, his hands finding any excuses to touch her, be it a hand on her back, or prodding her side teasingly. Sometimes he calibrated to that aggravating simpering voice. She threatened to slap him multiple times but of course, she never meant it.

By the time they'd sat down and ordered drinks, they still got there before Erin and her date. The last light of day escaped down the horizon of the wide windows in the conservatory, and waiters began to light the candle in the middle of people's tables. A single red rose sat in a little glass vase beside it.

"Perfect setting for an awkward first date," said Marina, bemused, her fingers playing with the little fire. She couldn't find the courage to look at Alex who was currently fixed on her every move. "Do you know where they're sitting?"

"Not exactly."

"Well that's helpful," she chuckled cynically.

"Ain't my fault, is it?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"Wh-no?"

"Hmph. Interesting."

"She don't even know herself."

She snuffed.

'Rini? Rini, look at me."

Marina dragged her gaze to his, her fingers hovering over the flame. God, it was so intense, she could hardly contain herself.

"Why are you talking like that?"

"Like what?"

"C'mon now, I'm not stupid. You're acting like summat's wrong."

A sharp pang flicked inside her. "Nothing's wrong, Alex."

He went to speak, but just at the cusp of his tongue the waitress came and placed two margaritas on the table. And just as he tried again after she'd left did Erin and Nick walk through.

"Look, there they are!"

Alex turned around, noticing they were there. Nick's face reddened, cursing Alex behind Erin's back.

"This should be intriguing." Alex's camera-ready grin found itself. Always looking like he was up to something, and he usually was. Marina lingered on his face for an extended period of time, his profile angled towards Nick and Erin.

Finally paying attention to the main event, she saw Erin done up flawlessly. Her flaxen hair was in loose waves and she'd put on a dark pink cocktail dress. Marina herself couldn't even look away, feeling sick imagining Alex the same way. And across from her, Nick was less dressed up, but still with a sweet face, his hair combed just nicely.

"So cute, look, he combed his hair," Alex teased. "He don't even do that for award evenings."

Marina took a silent breath.

"You know what? I did notice he gives off the look of a sewer rat sometimes," Marina joined in, still fiddling around with the flame.

"Wow, you've got a bite on you when you want it, don't you?"

Alex stared at her wide-eyed, but not without a chuckle.

"You clearly don't know me very well, sweet darling honeypie," she said, wincing a moment when the candle burned too strong.

A few metres away, Erin's light laughter travelled over the low hum of conversation in the restaurant. Nick had gifted her the rose that sat in the vase on all the tables. She accepted it graciously, bringing it to her nose. Because she was facing the opposite direction to Alex and Marina, they couldn't see her visible reaction, but even they could tell, by the aura she'd emitted, she was beaming from cheek to cheek.