Page 9 of Mermaid For You

My smile falls when I realize that Van is… glowering. What the hell? I place my glittering hands on my hips and glower right back. His jaw is rigid, and his eyes are icy glaciers staring me down.

“Great gimmick for the guests. Guess we need to get to the boat.” He turns around and storms off.

Gimmick. He’s hitting all my insecurities and sore spots on his first day.

* * *

I do my best to ignore Van for the majority of my shift. When I can’t stand any more of feeling his eyes burning into me, I release a huff. “What is your problem? I get it. You think I look ridiculous. That you’re above fun and make believe. Children’s happiness is beneath you.” Then I grumble, “I bet you prefer their tears. Probably feed on their fears.”

Van stretches out on the large rock he’s sitting on and crosses his ankles. “Stop being so dramatic.”

“Stop being a dick.”

“That’s not the type of language Nerine would use. Are you breaking character? Is that allowed?”

“Shut up! The boat’s coming back.”

“You started it.”

“No, I believe you did.”

“Ha. You also believe you’re a mermaid.”

“And you believe you’re witty.”

“You know what. I can see why you like thinking you’re a mermaid. You look better as a fish.”

A fish! Before I can slide my tail off to go hurl sand at him, I hear Maisy’s voice.

“Let’s remain quiet. We don’t want to startle her. If we’re lucky, we’ll spot her in her lagoon. The beautiful mermaid, Nerine.”

Van leans forward and loudly whispers, “They do lay it on thick, don’t they?”

“Which part?” I speak through gritted teeth while maintaining a full smile in case someone pops through the bushes that are decorated in twinkling lights.

“All of it.”

I suppose that’s a dig about me being beautiful. That’s fine. I don’t need him to find me attractive. I feel beautiful as Nerine. The soft sound of giggles and delight filter through the air. Maisy appears in her sailor uniform with a camera. She surprises me by going straight to Van and offering him the camera.

She goes back to our guests and helps the other sailor get them to form a line. I wave and engage with some of the children in the crowd. Van comes to kneel in front of me. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, there’s something in the air between us. His lips part, and I can’t help but zero in on them. My tongue darts out to wet mine. Van’s nostrils flare, desire evident in his eyes. He brings the camera with the long lens to his eyes, breaking our connection. Or so I would’ve thought. As he clicks, I can still feel his eyes penetrating through me. It’s never felt like this with any of the other photographers.

“Nerine!”

I turn to the little girl approaching me while holding the illustrated book about my character.

“You’re my favorite mermaid.” She’s wearing a costume that resembles mine and a pink wig.

I grab my special pink pen to autograph her book, then I bring the pen to tap my cheek in thought. “What’s your name, little mermaid?”

“Avery.”

“Avery. What a beautiful name! I love your tail and pink hair.”

“It’s like yours.” She gives me a toothy grin.

“You’re missing something, though.”

Her blue eyes go wide. “I am?”

---