After Finding You

Chapter 1

“Are mermaids real?” Arthur’s voice cuts through the chatter, amplified by the speakers mounted in every corner of the restaurant, each word rippling like a wave through the air. The question hangs, quieting the room and daring diners to believe in the impossible.

I run my hands over my blue-and-green-swirled silicone tail, ensuring the fit is snug before sinking into the water.

With a deep breath, I dive under, the water muffling what Arthur says next.

“We searched all the oceans, and you’re in luck!

We managed to find a mermaid right here in Los Angeles, and after negotiating payment…

in sand dollars, of course…” He pauses for the audience’s laughter.

I use the extra seconds to sneak a breath from my oxygen mask hanging discreetly by some fake seaweed.

The rescue diver, hiding in the corner where the audience can’t see him, gives me a thumbs up to show everything is safe and ready for the performance.

I nod my thanks as Arthur wraps up his big speech.

“She’s agreed to show you some of her mermazing skills right here at The Pearl Kingdom!

Without further ado…here’s Mermaid Veronica! ”

As Arthur’s voice fades, the deep crimson curtains around the water tank part, and the warm light chases away the darkness. I inhale one last deep breath, push my oxygen mask into the seaweed, and swim toward the center of the glass.

My usual routine is swimming from one side to the other before mixing in some spins and twirls. People stop eating to watch me whirl and wave.

Children of all ages rush to press their cute faces against the glass. I smile and blow them bubble kisses and form hearts with my hands. They giggle and point at me like I’m something exotic they found in a zoo.

A man stands up from his table and takes a photo using the flash. For a moment, I’m dazed but shake it off. Blinking away the red spots. Security darts toward the man and asks him to turn off the flash. I nod my thanks and continue the show.

The cheers and applause never fail to lift my spirits. As the curtain closes, I glide to the surface, breaking through with a deep, refreshing inhale. Hauling myself onto the platform, I settle in, my tail shimmering in front of me.

Arthur walks up the stairs and steps onto the platform to join me. He cracks the knuckles in his massive hands and swipes at his nose. “You ready to meet those grubby little kids?” he asks with a smirk.

“Isn’t one of those monsters yours?” I mock, craning my neck to look up at him. His dark beard is growing back in, giving his jaw a sharper edge. His arms are toned and scarred from his days in the armed forces.

His dimples deepen as his smirk turns into a cheesy grin. Arthur raises a shoulder and drops it. “What’s a man to do?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. Arthur gently lifts me, placing his left hand behind my tail, which is actually behind my knees, and his right hand on my back. I wrap my arm around his shoulders to keep myself balanced. “You’re my favorite mer-handler, you know that?”

His hazel eyes cut me a look. “I’m the only one you got.”

I pucker my lips in an exaggerated pout and toss an overly dramatic air kiss at him. “Just makes you even more special.”

He playfully smacks my scale-covered thigh. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Do you ever want to get out of here?” The question slips through my lips as I trace the tip of the eagle wing tattoo on his neck with my finger.

It’s a bit faded from age, but it still stands out against his tanned skin.

His reply is a confused glance like I lost my mind, so I add, “You know. Start a new life. Do something different.”

He swallows, and his Adam’s apple bobs. His hold on my legs stiffens.

“I like it here. It’s peaceful, and I always feel better when my life runs like clockwork.

Plus, my wife and daughter are from here.

” As soon as he says that, we turn the corner, and ten children scream in unison, killing the conversation.

I wrinkle my nose and flick my fin. Arthur chuckles, the sound reverberating through me before he sets me down on the white inflatable seashell set up for photos. I wave to my young audience, flashing them a bright smile.

As the kids crowd around, Arthur’s sharper edges melt away. He laughs, but it’s deeper and more soulful. On the outside, Arthur might look like an intimidating bouncer, but on the inside, he’s a sweet guy who loves his family.

“Hello, everyone! I’m so happy you could come over to my shell and talk. Say hello to my friend, Arthur.” I motion to him.

The kids all say hi except his daughter, who stands and proudly boasts, “That’s my daddy!”

He bites back a laugh and steps away. I pat my lap, encouraging the children to come closer. They ooh and ahh over my tail, touching my scales and giggling. I run my fingers through my dirty blonde curls and speak in my sweetest voice. “What are your names? I’m Mermaid Veronica.”

My best friend, Alice, walks into the backroom while I’m wiggling my hips out of my silicone tail. She bites her tongue, but the corners of her mouth curl upward in a smirk.

“If you’re just going to laugh, you can leave,” I say, tugging harder on my tail. It’s always easier to slide into than to get out of. The material clings to my legs like a second skin.

Alice wipes her hands on the bar rag she’s holding and tosses it onto the bench beside me.

“What happened to that bubbly mermaid attitude?” She leans against the wall as her cocky grin grows.

“How will you make a career of being a professional mermaid when you can’t escape your own scales?

” Humor dances in her blue eyes as she tries and fails to suppress her laughter.

“How about I bitch slap you with my tail?” I joke, flopping my fins on the concrete floor. “But I need you to step closer so I can reach you.”

Alice ignores me and grabs the bottom of my fin, giving it a good yank.

After a few tries, it finally releases me.

I stand, pulling up my blue leggings that slipped down my hips a little during the struggle.

“Freedom at last.” My fingers massage the tight muscles in my legs to stop the tingling.

Swimming in a mermaid tail might look easy and fun, but it’s a hell of a workout on your body.

“And just an FYI. I have a business plan in motion. After I get my professional pictures taken in a few weeks, I’ll be applying to cruise lines and landing more gigs. Once I have a company sponsor to back me with some money, my options are as deep as the ocean.”

She lifts a pierced brow. “Mermaid puns? Really?”

“Can’t take the sparkly mermaid out of me even with a knife.”

“But I could try.” She flashes a wicked grin.

“How was your shift?” I don’t mind discussing my future, but Alice doesn’t always take it seriously. But at least she understands it’s what I love, unlike my mother, who thinks I’m wasting away at a dead-end job.

Alice sighs dramatically and stretches her arms out to pop her shoulder blades.

“I’m not sure if you noticed during your show, but a tall guy who eats steroids for breakfast threw up all over my bar.

Some splashed on Hannah’s heels. Damn nasty!

And they wanted me to mop it up! Me! The only bartender who knows how to mix drinks correctly and when to call a customer a rideshare.

” She unties the black apron and opens her locker, tossing it inside. “The nerve!”

My head bobs, showing I’m listening but not daring to interrupt. I did that once, and the conversation lasted three hours. Ranging from rude customers who don’t tip to problems with our healthcare. When Alice falls into a rant, anything on her mind goes, and it could take all night.

“Almost forgot, I have a surprise for you,” she says, digging into her purse and grabbing a brush, as she attempts to tame her long black mane of hair.

“Are you going to leave me in suspense or what?” I change out of my shell bra into a black, lacy one.

“Sorry. You know me and my hair.” Alice laughs and grabs her pink, blinged-out phone. She pulls something up and hands it over. “Check it out.”

I set my mermaid tail on the bench and drape the towel I was about to dry it with over my shoulder. Her phone is open to a ticket app. I read the name of the artist she has tickets to and scream.

Alice covers her ears and laughs. “Girl, you got siren lungs.” She pokes my chest with her long, pink fingernail.

“Is this for real?” I glance at the date. The show is tonight. “What the hell? It’s tonight? Why didn’t you—”

“Because I didn’t want you to somehow find a way to get out of it. You’ve been locked up in the apartment for weeks since—”

“The incident. I know.” I sigh, wishing my ex didn’t pop into my mind and rain on my parade. “This is amazing, but you’re mean for keeping it from me,” I joke, sticking my tongue out at her.

My phone buzzes with a text. The name “ASSHOLE” in all caps causes my stomach to drop. Speak of the devil, and he appears. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip to keep it from quivering, but Alice must see the panicked expression on my face because she steals my phone.

“What the hell? He who doesn’t have a name anymore is texting you? I don’t think so.”

She unlocks my phone. I curse under my breath. Why did I let her know my passcode?

“Give it back!” But it’s pointless to fight her when she’s on a mission.

Alice is five inches taller than me, and I swear she has the arms of an elegant tattooed dancer that could reach the heavens.

Where my phone currently is. The roses and skulls inked on her skin mock me, knowing I could never be brave enough to stomp on her foot to get my phone back.

She types something and gives a satisfied nod, handing me back the device. “You need to block his ass for good.”

“I know.” I slip on a gray oversized T-shirt and step into my flip-flops.

What happened between him and me is still too fresh to talk about.

Alice runs her hands over her tight black jeans. “He’s yesterday’s trash. We need to go home and change. The doors open in two hours.”

“Yes!” I allow the excitement to push away the thought of my ex and whatever Alice replied to him.

Tonight, I will see my favorite band, Scarlet Failure, live. Because Alice always finds a way, even into a sold-out concert.

She hooks her arm with mine and pulls me toward the exit. “Let’s go!”

Nothing cures a broken heart faster than a loud, head-banging concert. I can’t wait to be standing at the base of the stage right in front of their sexy bass guitarist, Sully Graham. This is the push I need to get out of my funk and finally be myself again.