Page 12 of Mermaid For You

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.”

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