Page 14 of Mermaid For You

Every June eighteenth, the resort throws a grand celebration for National Go Fishing Day. All the mermaids work that day, stationed around the shore and pools. It’s not only the guests who come to fish and swim but also the locals. It’s a big event in Magnolia Bay.

“Yeah. I’ve gotten the alcohol order placed. We should be good.”

After we eat our tacos, Alexi walks me to the employee dressing area. There walks Van. My mind can’t wrap itself around why I’m attracted him.

“He thinks he’s the hottest man walking the planet,” I grumble.

“Surely not the whole planet.”

I smack Alexi’s chest with the back of my hand. I hate how Van is casually walking. Just casually trit-trotting down the sidewalk in the direction of the boats. Which means we’re working together. I’ll be staring at him as my stomach flips anxiously.

Alexi nudges my shoulder with his. “Don’t lie. You like this guy.”

“Attracted to, at most.” I can admit he’s attractive. He’s an attractive man. Anybody with eyes can see that. Like him? Never.

* * *

It’s been days of simmering tension between Van and I. Hours of me trying to avoid eye contact. Which I can’t do because he’s the stupid photographer! It’s incredibly difficult to avoid eye contact with someone when you have to be looking into the camera that they’re pointing at you. Yet sometimes I feel like he’s capturing more than I’m comfortable with. His eyes burn through the camera lens. When Liam photographs me, my stomach doesn’t tighten. My heart doesn’t quicken its pace. And I don’t find myself tightening my legs together as heat pools between my thighs.

We refuse speaking unless it’s absolute necessary or to insult each other. No matter how much I tell myself that I hate him, I look forward to each time we work together. I’m anxious for it. The worst part is, I like having his eyes on me. Being the center of focus. Those piercing blue eyes watching me. That chiseled, clenched jawline. His strong hands holding the camera firmly. That vein in his arm…

But then he speaks.

“Ready to flip-flop your way back into the water, angelfish?”

Great. A new nickname. This one might be the worst. I’m now a fish.

“Aw, angel? Does that mean you think I’m heaven sent?”

Van chuckles, and I despise how deep and smooth his voice is. “I know you can’t stand the name.”

“Call me whatever you like. It’s cute that you think I care.”

Van walks to stand over me. “When are you going to admit you want me?”

“You’re delusional.”

“The camera doesn’t lie, angelfish.”

Oh no, I’ve been completely transparent. My desire has been written all over my face. Van holds the camera up for me to see the screen. It’s a close-up of my face. I don’t look like a friendly mermaid. The woman staring back at me is a siren. I’ve never felt so sexy and confident in my life. Is that really what I look like? Is that who he sees?

Van takes the camera back and puts it into his satchel. Our eyes connect. My pulse is racing, my body’s temperature rising, and I’ve only ever felt this way once before, when I was first working here. I thought that desire was all a figment of my imagination brought on by the alcohol. I refused to ever get that drunk again.

My tongue slides out and wets my lips, begging for him to kiss me. I need him to touch me. Put all this silly bickering aside and devour me.

Van is only a breath away from my lips. “Sorry, not interested in fishy pussy.”

Chapter Seven

VAN

Margie informed us we’re having a photoshoot with some turtles. I have the camera ready. I already have a vision for how this should look and what we could do to help promote more tourism in Magnolia Bay and at Hayes Resorts. Shelly Myrtle is here, the turtle conservationist. It seems her and Ava have already hit it off. They’re laughing and talking animatedly. However, when Margie claps her hands together to get everyone’s attention, they immediately stop.

“Let’s hurry up and get this done, yeah? Everyone, this is Miss Shelly Myrtle. Thank you again for helping us. Van? You ready?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I pick up the camera and adjust the focus, then I adjust myself for a better angle with the sun’s light. After a few shots, I walk over and reposition a few of the turtles and the mermaids. “Miss Shelly, why don’t you step in?”

“Me?” Her eyes widen in shock.

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