Page 11 of Mermaid For You

“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 passengers board the Mermazing Adventure boat, 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.

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