CHAPTER 31
“Oh.” Oh. “Yes, he did say that,” she said after a moment. There was no reason to deny it.
“You didn’t say no.”
“He didn’t want to listen to no, and I thought—”
“It’s okay,” he said, cutting her off.
“Hey, I don’t plan on saying yes to him.”
“No? But isn’t a human better than a mermaid?”
“Says who?” she practically chastised. “Whose hands are on my waist right now? Certainly not his.”
“But—”
“But nothing. What would make you think I want him when I so clearly want you?”
That got him to be both shocked and blushing. “How can you say that? I’m a failed mermaid, too scared to even go where I belong and he—”
“Maybe you belonged right here,” she suggested firmly. “Maybe that part at least was fate so we would meet.”
“But he’s your kind,” he insisted. “Isn’t that better to you?”
“Are you trying to convince me of it?”
“No!” he practically exclaimed, far too loud for someone right next to him. “No,” he said again, quieter now. “I just…I just want whatever is best for you. Whatever makes you happy, and if that’s not me…” He didn’t seem to be able to finish that thought.
“And if it is you?” she asked, finally getting him to look up.
“Is it me?”
“It’s looking like you,” she said and kissed him.