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

Chapter 8

That kiss.I haven’t been so consumed by a kiss since I was in high school. I’d recklessly made out with Sullivan Hayes. As in Hayes Empire, Hayes. My boss’s boss. After a year of acquiring my dream job, knowing and being grateful for how fortunate I was to be a mermaid at Mermazing Adventures, I went and threw myself at the heir of Hayes Resorts.

In my defense, I didn’t realize he was Sullivan Hayes. We didn’t exchange names. In fact, the only thing we did exchange was spit and some heavy panting. But after only minutes, he clamped up. He got still and then… he ran off. It wasn’t until he was out of sight that Margie pulled me to the side. She told me who he was, saw that I was drunk, and told me to never make out in public, on the clock, or with a customer—or boss. I knew who Rosemary Hayes was because she was the birthday girl. We were all there for her party. Worse, it was my first big gig.

Van reminds me of Sullivan in some ways. Those piercing blue eyes and height. However, Sullivan had brown hair and wasn’t quite as tan. He wasn’t as fit as Van. Then again, I refused to look at any headlines, tabloids, or search for any recent photographs of Sullivan. As far as I know, he hasn’t been back to the resort.

A part of me knows that’s why I was drawn to Blake Doozer, which proves I need to rid myself of the silly fantasies and charming, spoiled, pretty boys. Sullivan got bored with kissing me and left me lovestruck without a backward glance. Blake belittled me and mocked me with his friends.

My prejudice could be getting the best of me. Van could be the one for me. The one to make me forget about all others and gain a positive outlook on finding love. A nice, hardworking guy with a witty sense of humor. But by the way I ran off, he might be scared of me. Alexi called me after he tackled him. That was both funny, sweet, and unnecessary but appreciated.

I didn’t work yesterday, so I haven’t seen him in two days. There’s a chance I might see him today since Margie called this morning to tell me Rosemary Hayes and her grandparents are coming. I won’t be working as Nerine but as an extra server and of any assistance needed.

Van, of course, is working as well. He seems surprised at all the extra hands on the boat today. “High-profile client?”

Maisy gasps. “You don’t know?” She stands too close to Van and brushes her lips against his ear as she whispers to him.

The thought of spilling my pitcher of water on her is tempting. But I do like Maisy. It’s not her fault that Van has been flirting shamelessly with her. I should spill my water on him.

The boat begins to pull out, which means the Hayes’ must’ve boarded. I force my back straight and keep my chin up. Van and Sullivan possibly on the same boat has my anxiety in overdrive, but I refuse to show it. Not that Sullivan remembers who I am. Clearly, I didn’t have the same effect on him.

“It’s a beautiful day! Simply beautiful!” Rosemary Hayes approaches in a skimpy one-piece with an open sheer cover-up and the highest of high heels. Her brown hair is twisted into an elaborate up-do, and giant sunglasses cover most of her face. An elderly well-dressed man and woman follow behind her.

I turn in time to see Van sneaking to the stairs that lead to the lower deck. He looks ill.

Leaving the water pitcher on the nearest table, I hurry after him. “Van?” I call, but he takes the stairs two at a time and then practically leaps down to the last step. “Van!”

What’s gotten into him? He looks around in a panic when he reaches the main deck. “Where are the life boats? A dinghy?”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s no time for that. I have to?—”

Rosemary’s laughter reaches our ears as she begins walking down the stairs.

Alexi appears with a wide grin. “Never fear, for I am here. Ready to ensure you have the most pleasurable experience.”

“What the fuck,” Van whispers.

I roll my eyes. “He says that.”

Van narrows his eyes, but then they go wide again. Before I can stop him, he’s going over the side of the boat. My heart plummets. Did he jump or fall? Without a second thought, I go to the ledge and allow myself to take a leap of faith and… leap.

The water isn’t too cold. My muscles easily push through the water to Van. Before I can speak, he holds a finger to his mouth. We swim toward where a willow tree provides a hiding place.

Water laps against our bodies as the boat powers forward. I find some footing where I somewhat stand on my very tippy-toes. Strong fingers wrap around the back of my neck and bring my face to Van’s. His lips press against mine, passion pouring out of him. Hidden behind a curtain of willow branches as the water pushes and pulls out in a dance, I allow my lips to part and welcome him. His tongue massages mine. Arousal and frustration mix together so suddenly that I’m almost lightheaded. When he pulls away from me, we don’t say anything. The only sound now is the water lapping and our heavy breaths.

What are we doing? Do I trust him? Am I even capable? Why did he jump, and if he didn’t, why was he running and so worked up that he fell off the boat? What’s his last name? Nobody knows and Margie won’t tell.

His hand moves from behind my neck, allowing his arms to encircle me, pressing my body closer to his. “Hug me back, please.”

The please almost breaks me. He sounds so incredibly sincere and desperate. I do as he asks. My cheek falls against his shoulder, and I inhale the scent of nearby flowers and his, mixed with a hint of coconut. Must be his sunscreen. Forcing my mind to turn off for a moment, I relax and fall into his embrace. Our bodies mold together perfectly, as if made for each other. It reminds me of the best friend charms. Two jagged halves of a heart forming seamlessly together to make a whole one.

His body stills and his grip tightens. “Don’t move.”

“What is it?”

“There’s something in the water. I think it’s a reptile.”

A snake? An Alligator? Oh no, no, no. I struggle to control my breathing. I’ve been in these waters hundreds—no, thousands—of times swimming as a mermaid for boat tours and shows, but I’ve never come to the secluded parts. Now that I glance around, it is thick and overgrown. It’s the perfect place for scaley predators to be lurking. I’ve come right into their lair. This is what I get for following my needy, lustful vagina. She wanted to play with a one-eyed snake, not anything with fangs!

“Ava,” Van whispers, and I look into his wide eyes. “Are you okay? I was just saying we need to ease to land. I’m not sure what I’m seeing, but it’s coming toward us.”

I can’t stand the not knowing. I quickly spin around as Van yells out. Slowly, I look over my shoulder back at Van. “I almost went into cardiac arrest over a turtle!”

This man is going to either make me stroke out or go insane—possibly both. I use all my arm strength to splash him in the face with water, then I climb out, leaving him with the “dangerous” reptile, who again, I hope bites his dick off. Should be an easy target now that it’s at full attention. Meanwhile, I walk away only more frustrated and confused than when I jumped off the damn boat.

* * *

I goin search of Alexi. The boat should have returned by now. He’s laughing with a woman but immediately halts midlaugh when he sees me.

“What happened to you? Did you go for a swim in your clothes?”

“I dived off the deep end. Literally. Figuratively. Emotionally.” I turn to the woman sitting on the barstool as I slide onto the one next to her. “Ava. Nice to meet you.”

Alexi quickly apologizes. “Sorry. Daphne, this is Ava. Ava, this is Daphne. She’s from Candy Cane Key as well.”

“Nice! Are you here visiting Alexi?”

She smiles kindly at me as she shakes her head. “No. I came here on business. I have a small business specializing in wedding dresses. Which reminds me, I need to get going. Great seeing a friendly face and meeting a new friendly face.”

“Bye, Daphne!” Alexi tells her. “Good luck.”

When she’s gone, I burst out, “I have feelings for Van! Real feelings. Which is beyond crazy because I barely know him, and what I do know, I don’t even like!”

Alexi wipes the bar and listens to me ramble about the boat incident.

Then I scowl. “You didn’t even notice I was gone.”

“Yeah, I’m a horrible friend.”

“You don’t even feel guilty.”

“No, not one bit. I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not. Ava”—Alexi leans toward me—“Rosemary Hayes is into me.”

As if ice water had been dumped on me, I still and my body goes into shock. My poor friend. Rosemary Hayes will use him. He’ll only be seen as a toy, a convenient plaything. “No, no, no. She’s not like us.”

“You’ve got that right. She’s incredible.”

“I mean, she’s going to use you and break your heart.”

“This is why I didn’t want to say anything. You’re such a downer about relationships, or even trying. I’m okay with being used! Gladly. She can chew me up and spit me out, but you know what? At least I’ll have had the experiences. For one day, the most gorgeous, charming, and fun woman, who I never would have thought would even notice my existence, sat down and had a conversation with me. Laughed with me. Hell, she might even like me. I’ll take whatever crumbs she throws my way. And if I’m lucky enough to share a night with her, dammit, I’m taking it.”

“Alexi—”

“No, Ava. I don’t live in fear. If Van hurts you, then I’ll be there to pick up your pieces and break him into pieces.”

Guilt riddles through me. I only want to protect him, but once again, I’m allowing my one bad experience to influence my reaction for my friend. “And if Rosemary hurts you, then I’ll be there to pick up your pieces and break her into pieces.”