Page 22 of Mermaid For You

“Ava was protecting herself,” I say. “Charges should be pressed against these men. Please call the authorities. I want them escorted off the property, and I’ll meet them at the station immediately.”

A pen could drop. Even the wind has stilled.

Ava hisses, “What are you doing? That’s Rosemary Hayes. You can’t make demands.”

Rosemary’s eyes come bright with excitement. “Oh em gee! Sullivan! Shut up! It really is you! This is where you’ve been? Also, the blond is working for you.”

Ava’s gasp is all I need to know I’ve lost her. I can practically hear hers trust in me shattering. I should’ve told her that night in my room, when she remembered kissing me. Told her that I didn’t kiss her and leave. I mean, I did. But that I was embarrassed. That I still think about her, and I, too, have been comparing everyone to her. Another tidbit I learned is that she was a minor at the time, so that’s another shameful stain on my history.

Rosemary turns to Ava and smiles. “Well, if Sullivan, or Van, says you were in the right, I trust his judgment. You will need some form of punishment, but we’ll work that out later. Which, what the hell, Sullivan? Why didn’t you stop it before it got to that point?”

“I have my reasons,” I tell Rosemary asAva removes her tail and begins storming off. I chase after her. “Ava, wait!”

She spins around and her words are harsh. “Sure thing… boss.”

“I know I lied to you. You can’t understand why I lied.”

“Try me.”

“Ava… Ava, there was a bet.”

Unshed tears make her eyes glassy, and she chokes on a sob. “I was a bet? This keeps getting worse. I confessed everything to you. I confided in you. Do you have any idea how stupid I feel? This whole time, it was you! I was telling you about yourself! How I lusted after you for years. How I swooned over a different jerk because he reminded me of you. Then I went and fell for you again while you were in disguise!” She sniffles and whimpers. “I think I’m going to be sick. I have to go.”

I grab her arm and drop to my knees. “I love you. I love you, Ava. I love you more than… than… there are grains of sand.” I take a handful of sand and let it slip through my fingers.

“Funny,” she says, her voice void of emotion. “See how that sand slips through your fingers? I’m doing that now. Let me go.”

“What? No. That was a bad analogy then. I love you a lot, okay?”

“You’ve hurt me, and I’m not going to let you keep doing it.”

I know everyone is listening, but I don’t care. It’s time to come clean before I lose her again. “I came in my pants that night.”

“What?” That makes her stand still.

“I ran off because I was embarrassed that I came while we were making out. You’re the only person who that’s happened with. I was shocked. Humiliated. I couldn’t… I couldn’t admit it and I didn’t want anyone to see it, so I ran. Then I never saw you again. And I didn’t come back for a long time because I knew you would be the one who could ruin me. To bring me to my knees, which you have, in fact, done.”

I kiss her knuckles and squeeze her hand. “I love you. Though you hate to admit it, you were made for me, and I was made for you. That’s why we never got over each other. That’s why we’re being pulled together again.” I rise to my feet and cup her cheek. “I don’t want to go through life comparing everyone to you. Dreaming and reliving our moments together. I want to only have you. I want to dream with you. I want to live all future moments with you.”

Ava leans into my palm. Tears stream down her face. “I really don’t like you.”

“I think you’re the most perfect person.”

“I hate you so much,” she says through a smile.

“I know. I love you, too, angelfish.”

She smacks my chest, and I can see I’ve entered back into safe waters. I pull her to me and hug her tightly, hoping she can feel my sincerity and love. I hate that she thinks I ditched her, that I was using her for a bet, but dammit, I don’t regret this moment here, right now. Holding Ava in my arms has made everything else in my life seem insignificant.

Chapter Eleven

AVA

Alexi was ready to pick up the pieces and leave Van—or Sullivan—in pieces. I assured him that Sullivan has picked up all the pieces. We’ve grown so much from that first time together. We’ve learned and healed, and hopefully will continue to do so.

Today is Go Fishing Day. The resort is pulling out all the stops. People are everywhere. Sullivan is pulling out his wallet while talking to two other guys at the bar. I ask Rosemary who they are.

“Oh. That’s Teddy and Ben.” She makes a gagging sound.

---