Page 41 of For You & No One Else (Say Everything 3)

Eleven

“This is going to be so rad!” Andi declared as she gave Eliza a hug and then leaned back to take in Eliza’s fish and chips pajamas. They were the only silly pair Eliza had—teal green and covered with swimming fish, vinegar bottles, and fries. A friend had brought them back from England as a gift last year. “Look how cute we are.” Andi turned toward the open doorway, putting her arm around Eliza’s shoulders. “Aren’t we goddamned adorable?”

Andi was in a white T-shirt with a Camp Crystal Lake counselor graphic on the front and pajama bottoms decorated with Friday the 13th Jason masks. This horror-movie ensemble was undermined by the pink bunny slippers on her feet.

“Downright enchanting.” Andi’s boyfriend, Hill, was standing inside their doorway with a bemused expression on his face. “Eliza, can I just say I’m glad it’s you taking her to this and not me? This event sounds like my personal nightmare.”

Eliza laughed. For as outgoing and enthusiastic as Andi was, Hill was her friend’s perfect counterbalance. Quiet and steady with a dry sense of humor. Also, really good-looking and could cook like a dream. Eliza was over-the-moon happy for Andi that she’d found her person. “You’re welcome. I’m glad she’ll be with me. I would say I’m sorry I only had one invite but…”

He lifted a hand. “I’m good. No bunny slippers for me. You two have fun. Just let me know if y’all need a ride afterward.”

“Oh, I’m not drinking,” Eliza said. She’d certainly had enough ofthatfor a while. “I’ll be the designated driver.”

“Unless she meets some cute guy she wants to take home,” Andi added as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Hill’s neck. She pushed up on her toes and gave him a lingering kiss. “Then I’ll give you a call.”

Eliza gave her friend a quelling look when Andi turned back around. “I’m taking no one home. Three-date rule, remember?”

Hill crossed his arms, giving Andi an indulgent look. “Either of you need anything, call me. I’ll be up late. I have a bread dough recipe I’m in complex negotiations with.”

“Sounds tense,” Eliza said.

Andi hooked her arm in Eliza’s. “You have no idea. The colorful words that were coming out of his mouth last night when he overproved the dough… Well, I think he might’ve killed the yeast with words alone.”

Hill’s expression turned grim. “I will conquer it.”

“I know you will, babe,” Andi said with full confidence. “I’m looking forward to fresh baked bread in the morning. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Y’all have fun and don’t get into too much trouble,” he said.

“Us? Never.” Andi leaned her head on Eliza’s shoulder.

Hill shook his head, chuckling. “Text me when you’re on your way home.”

“Will do.” Andi tugged Eliza. “Come on, it’s slumber-party time!”

***

Eliza listened to the formal voice of her GPS guiding her and Andi to the address Beckham had scrawled on the card, her nerves starting to creep in. “Thanks for doing this with me.”

“Happy to join,” Andi said, flipping the visor down and checking her lipstick. “I’m at a stuck point in the book I’m writing anyway, so I could use a little distraction. Maybe this will provide some inspiration. It kind of sounds like the setup for a locked-room mystery.”

Eliza put on her signal and took a left turn. “A locked-room mystery?”

“Yeah, you know, Agatha Christie’sAnd Then There Were Nonestyle,” she said brightly. “A bunch of houseguests show up to a party or a weekend away, and there’s no escape for some reason—like a storm blocks them in or it’s on an island and boats only run during the day—so no one can come in or out once the guests are there.” She snapped the visor closed. “Then, someone’s murdered, and everyone knows the murderer has to be one of the guests and now they’re stuck with one another.”

Eliza glanced her way. “Well, that sounds terrifying. Let’s hope that’s not what we’re doing. No murder, please.”

Andi grinned at her in the dark, her teeth standing out against her red lipstick. “I mean, theyaretaking our phones. That’s kind of a version of a locked door. A house full of strangers.No way to call for help.”

She’d said the last sentence in a deep, ominous voice.

“You’re not making me feel any better,” Eliza said.

Andi reached over and patted Eliza’s thigh. “I’m just messing with you. I’m wearing bunny slippers for God’s sake. What could go wrong? Ooh…bunny slippers. It’d be hard to run in these. A dead body with bunny slippers could make for a really interesting scene.”

“Andi.”

“What?” she said, no remorse in her voice. “Inspiration is inspiration. But I’ll stop talking about scary stuff. Tell me about the guy who invited you. All I know is that he’s in tech and works next door to you. What’s the story?”

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