Mermaid For You: A Man of the Month Club Novella: Small town work place romance (Magnolia Point)

Chapter 5

It’s her.I can’t believe she’s the actress who made me come in my pants while we were making out. Of course I didn’t recognize her. When she had me orgasming harder than I ever had in my life in less than two minutes—so fucking embarrassing—she was wearing glitter and had pink hair.

Worse, I about fucking came the instant she walked out of her apartment. It was my wet dream in the flesh. For years, I’d been terrified of coming here and discovering it was all a drunken fantasy. That she wasn’t real. Just like mermaids aren’t real. I’d never been so consumed with someone as I was in that moment. I’m not an obsessive person, but she was someone I could easily find myself obsessing over.

And there she was. This entire time! I was instantly attracted to her, but now I know she tastes as good as she looks—if not better—and she’s just as beautiful without all the glamour and fantasy.

I’ll have to find someone else for the bet. It can’t be Ava. She’s too tempting. Too delicious. Too risky. Besides, I’ve already blown it with her. After my hot-and-cold mood swings yesterday, she more than likely thinks I’m a psychopath. Which further proves I need to avoid her the best I can since I can’t control my emotions around her.

The most painful part is that I don’t think she remembers me. How many guests has she made out with while working under Mermazing Adventures? I bet she gives them all a mermazing experience. I know she did me. But apparently, I wasn’t memorable. Or there’s been too many to keep track of. Maybe Alexi has made her forget everyone else. Then again, it’s for the best that she doesn’t remember. That wasn’t my finest moment, and neither was our shift together. What’s wrong with me when it comes to her?

You look better with a camera covering your face. It’s been taunting me all morning. The way she tossed her words at me and then sashayed away. I was already on edge because I had to keep kneeling for a while with that stupid camera to hide the fact I was sporting a semi-erection the entire time. I felt like a fucking pervert.

Ava was so beautiful, endearing, and carefree. She really did transform into this gentle, charismatic, sexy yet innocent… mermaid. For hours, she kept smiling and engaging with everyone. Each person that came to her was treated like the most important person in the world. I even wanted to go sit with mermaid Nerine. I wanted her to look at me that way. To give me that smile and, just for a moment, look at me like I was the only person who mattered in her world. Like she did at my sister’s party all those years ago. Which she doesn’t even remember.

I’m not pleased with myself for being jealous of every guest who got her smiles. I’ve never really experienced jealousy. This is new, and I hate it.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to erase all memories of her from my mind. Five years ago, it was lust. I was twenty years old, buzzed, and horny. I’m older now, more mature, and sober. It really is a blessing that she doesn’t remember our brief encounter. If she gave me a chance now, I could prove to her that I can last longer than a few seconds of dry humping. In fact, I’m an excellent and attentive lover.

Not that I want her to. Or do I? Surely I don’t have a freaking crush. Memories from before and now, with her being more mature, are tangling together, but I have to separate those feelings from one another. She’s a beautiful woman who once lit a fire within me, but it was all lust and raging hormones. Nothing serious. It was nothing.

Placing my hand on the door handle, I inhale a deep breath. I’m dressed in my white fitted shorts (which are out of my comfort level) and white button-up with Hayes Resorts embroidered in the left corner. As soon as I walk out this door, I leave the past behind and focus on kicking ass at this job and starting a relationship based solely on my personality and not my bank account. I’ve got this. I shake my fist in the air, psyching myself up.

Yes! I’ve got this! Here we go…

The sun is shining and there’s a cool, gentle breeze. I turn my face toward the direction of the wind and close my eyes.

“Feels great, doesn’t it?” calls a sweet and friendly voice.

“Sure does,” I respond before I open my eyes and choke.

Ava walks up to me in tiny jean shorts and a white bikini top. “What did I do to you?”

That’s a loaded question. Where to even begin. Made me feel something more than lust. Made me come in my pants and humiliate myself. Made me regret not going back for you. Made me regret even touching you, because no one has compared since. Made me fall in love with a stranger. Wait—no. Shit. Love is too strong a word. Obsess is a better word choice.

“Sorry. I’m awkward and confused with how to navigate new people and surroundings.” I’m a dumbass, is what I am.

She looks up at me through the longest lashes. “Wanna walk with me to get a coffee?”

“Yeah. Lead the way.”

We walk side by side, and she tells me all about how amazing Hayes Resorts are. She seriously loves working here as a mermaid, which blows my mind. I force down the urge to ask if she’s ever made out with customers while in costume. For Ava to be such a rule follower and dedicated employee, I know for a fact she’s broken the rules and done something she could’ve been fired for. We’re a family resort, and the mermaids aren’t supposed to behave in any scandalous manner.

When we walk into the café that’s located inside the main building of the resort, I groan. Alexi. I thought she said he bartended. He beams at Ava. “Your usual?”

“Yup!” She grins and plops her elbows onto the counter. “Jenna called in?”

“She has a headache.”

“When are you going to quit covering for her? She’s using you!”

Alexi smirks and leans toward Ava. “Maybe I’m okay with beautiful women using me.” He notices my existence and nods. “What can I get you, man?”

“Same as Ava.”

He chuckles, which grates on my nerves. “You sure?”

She’s getting a coffee; how bad could it be? “Yes, I’m sure.” My voice comes out harsher than I intended, but this guy is a major douche.

He keeps snickering, but I ignore him and turn to smile at Ava. She seems concerned he’s being taken advantage of, but it’s evident he’s interested in her. The espresso machine steams and whistles while we continue to smile at each other. He places the to-go cups onto the counter and asks Ava if she’s going to charge hers.

I scoff and pull out my credit card. “Put both of them on this.”

“No. Van, you don’t have to.”

“Nonsense. I don’t mind buying pretty ladies their drinks.” I give her a wink.

Alexi snickers again. He’s just full of giggles this morning. He taps a few buttons on the screen and then takes my card. His head tilts, and he swipes the card again. “Um, you wanna just charge this to your employee account? Start a tab?”

“What? Why would I do that?”

Alexi motions for me to come closer using two fingers. “Your card was rejected, bro.”

“No, that’s—” Then I remember. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Fuck,” I whisper. This is so embarrassing. I press my lips together and nod.

“Actually”—Ava pulls out a twenty and slaps it onto the counter—“I’ve got this.”

I’ve never had a woman buy my drink. This is new. Kind of like my bank account at the moment. For the first time in my life, I lack the funds to pay for something. I turn to Ava and hold up my hands. “I appreciate that, I really do. But no. I offered to pay and I meant to. I insist. Put it on my account.”

“We’re going to be late.” Ava smiles at Alexi and gives him a wave. She takes both cups and hands me one. “Besides”—she lowers her voice—“I don’t mind buying pretty men their drinks.”

A feeling of shock and a freaking massive wave of embarrassment comes over me. That couldn’t have gone worse. I’ve never not been able to buy someone a drink. That’s absurd. But I’ve never had everything stripped away before. As soon as I get my paycheck, I’m buying her a whole bottle of the finest wine. Feeling defeated, I take a sip of the coffee and immediately gasp. “What is this? Straight espresso? Jet fuel? Crack?”

Alexi leans one arm on the counter. “Extra shots. One sugar. After you drink that whole thing, you’ll be able to see sounds.”

I believe it. I give Alexi a nod and go outside to see where I need to be for the beginning of my shift.

* * *

As the passengersboard the Mermazing Adventureboat, I tip my hat. Children chatter with excitement. I catch bits and pieces of schedules, plans, gossip, and complaints about being hot. It’s summer in South Carolina… what did anyone expect? But it is freaking hot.

The entire day moves like a hamster wheel. Pick up guests, who are different people yet all the same, ship them to the lagoon, guide them off the boat, grab my camera, go to take photos, click, click, click, and then after a few minutes of them enjoying the lagoon, herd them back to the boat. Repeat the whole cycle over and over.

That is, until lunch.

The guests deboard, but before I can exit, Maisy grabs my arm. “Don’t hurry off. Some of us our going to take the boat out for lunch. Go for a swim.”

“I didn’t bring any lunch.”

“Don’t worry. They’re bringing some from the onsite restaurant. Picnic!”

Her eyes rake over me in appreciation. I’m not too proud to admit that I needed this. This might work. I get lunch and Maisy might be the lucky woman to be my girlfriend for the next couple of weeks. I puff my chest out and swagger toward her. That’s when I see thick, toned thighs leading up to an ass that could ruin a man. Shit! A throbbing begins in my toe as I stumble and blindingly reach out for something to grab on to and steady my balance.

“Don’t hurt yourself.” Ava gives me a knowing smirk as she prances past me in a white bikini and white-rimmed sunglasses, her hair shining bright and silvery while her lips are red as sin.

Maybe I should jump off the side of the boat now and save myself from any more suffering. My toe could very well be broken, along with my ego.

Maisy runs over and gently touches my arm. “Are you alright?”

Physically? Maybe. Emotionally? It’s not looking good. Rather than tell her of my internal whining, I put on a brave face and nod.

The boat is loaded up with several of the crew from earlier, and the crew up is working the next shift. A few employees from other departments come to join. I’m surprised I don’t spot Alexi.

Everybody is mingling and going from group to group. I spend most of my time with Maisy, eating sandwiches, laughing, playing around, and swimming. It’s weird that I find myself having fun. Legitimate fun. No hidden agendas. No networking goals. No pressure. Nobody trying to outshine the other. No competition. No pretense or social obligations. We’re all just being goofy and enjoying the moment. I search for a memory of ever having such a good time.

I’m actually disappointed when break time is over. Maisy slides closer to me. By the way her eyes are eating me up, she’s ready for me to make the next move.

“Hey, Van! Can you work the next shift for me?” Liam asks. He didn’t work through lunch. What could he possibly need off for? He came here to party but isn’t able to work his shift in ten minutes. Bullshit.

Annoyance runs through me. I just finished working. “No.” I turn to Maisy, ready to ask her if she wants to go have a drink.

“Van,” Ava starts, “why can’t you work for Liam? We cover one another here. Have one another’s back.”

Gritting my teeth, I turn to Ava. “Maybe I have plans. I worked my shift. I did my part.”

Ava’s eyebrows pull together. “Liam just got a call that his mom fell off her back porch and is in the hospital. She might’ve broken a leg or her hip. He was fully planning to work, but stuff comes up.”

Way to make me feel guilty. Shit. I turn back to Maisy. “Maybe after my shift we grab a drink?”

Ava leans over to me and whispers, “Does she know she’s buying?”

Irritation eats at me that she’s right and I, in fact, do not have any money. Not a problem. I can charge it to my tab.

Maisy blushes. She actually blushes, as in her cheeks turn pink. This is going great. She smiles and nods. “I’d really like that, Van.”

“Great. Want me to swing by your room and we can walk together?”

“Oh! I can meet you at the bar. No worries.” Maisy’s watch dings and she looks down. “We do need to get this boat back. We don’t want to get into trouble. You’re new, but they don’t tolerate much since they have a waitlist of people to be hired.”

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so surprised! Weren’t you freaking out when you got hired?”

Anxiety prickles along the back of my neck. “Yeah, I mean… but I didn’t know—I guess I didn’t realize?—”

Ava snickers. “Wow. Could you be any more out of touch with reality?”

I’ve never been so rudely spoken to. She’s been downright vicious. I don’t feel I warrant her hostility. First I can’t pay for anything, and now I’m delusional. Wow. Okay. “I beg your pardon? Did I do something to you?”

“No, I’m simply pointing out that you act like getting hired at Hayes Resorts is nothing.”

To be fair, it wasn’t a challenge. Is it supposed to be? Evidently. Before I can respond, the boat docks. Everyone scatters except us—me, Maisy, and Ava.

“I’ll see you tonight, Van,” Maisy tells me.

Inhaling a calming breath, I turn to one of the most frustrating women I’ve ever met. “I hope you’re satisfied with trying to sabotage my relationship with Maisy.”

She has the nerve to laugh in my face. “Hardly. No worries there, my friend. Maisy will literally date anyone.”

A smug smile spreads across my face. “I see.”

“Oh, prey tell. What do you see?”

“You were jealous. I get it. Yeah, you wanted me to work the next shift because it would be with you instead of me going with Maisy. Clever, albeit a little sneaky. But I did try to befriend you and see if there could be something. Clearly not.”

Ava’s mouth pops open. She alternates from laughing to gasping. “Let’s get to work. Try not to trip over your ego while getting off the boat.”

“Sure thing… toots.”

She halts in her steps, and I’m pretty sure her teeth are cracking. She looks over her shoulder and gives me the most go to hell look.

For the next couple of hours, Ava practically snarls at me between beaming at customers. It’s eerie how quickly she can turn on the charm and then immediately transfer into a she-devil. Margie appears and Ava becomes an angel in her presence.

“Kids, I have some exciting news. We got a new bubble machine. Van, you’ll have to load it and start it because Ava has her tail on.”

“Fun!” Ava beams.

“That’s going to make the pictures even better.”

“That’s the plan. Alright, I’ll leave you two to it. Wait. Y’all having a good time together?”

“The best!” Ava grins yet somehow manages to still side-eye me another go to hell.

I opt for a thumbs-up, to which she rolls her eyes.

Margie looks to us and slowly nods. “I had a feeling about you two. I knew y’all would work great together.”

Some intuition. Margie leaves, so I walk over to turn on the bubble machine. Bubbles immediately fly out, spraying me in the face. I cough and swat as I escape the iridescent soap attack.

“I hope you choke on bubbles.”

I turn quickly at Ava’s sour mumble, but she only gives me a sickly sweet smile. Alright. So this is how it’s going to be.

Bring it, angelfish.