The Detective and Her Bachelor

Chapter 12

I had clearly overestimated my abilities to blend in. To a VERY. LARGE. DEGREE. I couldn't put words together as I glared at Michale, trying my best not to hyperventilate or throw up. 

Have you ever contemplated just running away from a moment? Just bolting out the door, or crawling out a window, or even hiding under the bed? Well, I wanted to do all of them. But that was the problem with adulting. Only kids were allowed to try and make a break from awkward situations.

Supposedly, adults were demanded to handle things maturely. Psh. Totally overrated.

"Michale, put that away before I set it on fire and throw it at your face," I warned, glaring at the material with venom. 

"No need for the dramatics," Michale replied with a grin. "Honestly, you act like you've never worn one before."

"I wear LARGE COMFORTABLE clothing. Not..." I wrinkled my nose at the tiny set of fabric he held in his hand. "THAT," I finished.

Michale groaned, having already attempted to talk me into it several times. "It's just a swimsuit."

"And it covers nothing. Why can't I wear a 1940's style one? They have skirts and polka dots and cute sleeves and they are adorable. Can't we bring those back?!?" I was aware I was shouting, but I seemed unable to stop.

"Can't classy swimsuits be NORMAL! Can't covering skin be okay!?!"

"Delle!" Michale said rubbing his temples. "I have a cover for the swimsuit! I'm not sending you out there in just this! Honestly, do you think I didn't know what I was getting into with you? Do you think your sister didn't prep me? Do you not trust your sister to keep you in mind?!?"

I snapped my mouth shut but continued to glare.

Michale walked over to me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders, pushing my hair off my arms. "You need to trust me." He searched my eyes, his own full of determination. "It's the only way you are going to get through this. And you need to trust that Allie prepped me. And that I may know far more than you are giving me credit for." He shot me a pointed look, unable to say more with the microphones located around my bedroom. "And I will do everything in my power to help you survive this."

My eyes widened slightly, understanding. Allie told Michale why I was actually here. I had an ally close by, even if he was a little trigger happy with his desire to dress me up like his own doll.

I nodded. "Okay, Michale. I trust you." I reached for the swimsuit, trying not to look at it. "Just make sure the swimsuit cover actually... covers things."

Michale rolled his eyes. "Please, my dear. Don't insult the artist. I know what raw materials I'm working with."

I groaned as I walked to the bathroom, half tempted to lock the door behind me and never come back out. "Yeah, we'll see..."

The schedule for the day post breakfast disaster with Ace had been dropped off without a word of hello from Clipboard Girl. She seemed irritated that I was still alive. Clearly, I hadn't made a fan of her yet. Not that it mattered much, I wasn't a fan of her either. Clipboard Girl still had a habit of coming into a room without knocking. 

The first thing on the daily agenda was a poolside mixer with unlimited tropical drinks.

I made a mental note to keep Bianca away from the drinks. I didn't want her to fall into the pool unconscious. The image made me shudder. But the alcohol would make it easier to read people. They had a harder time lying when alcohol was involved. They felt safer. 

Shimming into the sorry excuse for a bathing suit, I yanked the green fluffy robe off the back of the bathroom door and threw it around myself before stomping back out into the bedroom to Michale's protests.