Page 24 of Mermaid For You

It’s my turn to laugh. “What? That sounds a little possessive.”

“I am possessive.”

And why do I like this? I can’t help but blush. “Well, nobody else can take photos of you.”

“Deal.”

“This feels like we’re planning a future together.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“No, not at all.”

“Speaking of the future, what do you have planned for the next twenty minutes?”

“Considering that nothing is biting, I guess my schedule is clear.”

“Well, there’s our spot.” He nods toward the willow tree. “And I can guarantee there will be biting over there.”

Kinky. I like it. But I’m more nervous about something else biting me than him. “Can we stay in the boat this time?”

“Yeah. Might be a lot of rocking.”

“I sure hope so.”

His blue eyes gleam with mischief, and he begins rowing us toward the willow tree. Sullivan ties our boat to one of the lower branches, then crawls over to me and whispers against my forehead. “You know what this is? The start of us planning a future together.”

This is definitely off to a good start.

Epilogue

VAN

Three months later…

Since June eighteenth, Ava and I have moved in together in one of the family’s estates right off the resort. I’ve fully embraced my role as the heir of Hayes Resorts. Ava still buys my drink every now and then.

Rosemary is now taking an interest in the family legacy too. I believe she’s always had an interest, but the family hasn’t always taken her seriously, me included. Someone who’s taking an interest in my baby sister is Alexi.

Every time I slowly try warming up to Alexi, he does something to piss me off. I don’t understand why I despise him so, but I recruited him to help with the Christmas season. Mostly to make Ava happy. Plus, he did live in a Christmas town all his life.

The doorbell rings and I jump up to go answer. “Rosemary!”

“I’m here!”

I wrap my arms around her and swing her around. “I need your help. This event we’re planning—I want to start a new tradition here. Like how we go big for Fishing Day. But for the winter months.”

“And you want to go big?”

“Special. I’m not good with this stuff.”

“You’re more clever than you realize. But no worries. I’ll take care of everything. You can count on me.”

Ava enters the room, and my heart soars at the sight of her. “Hello, angelfish.”

I love that she’s moved past the whole nickname thing—not for me, but for her. That idiot plays no part in her life whatsoever, and he ‘ll never show his face at another one of our resorts.

“Hello, sulli-fin.”

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