Page 8 of Mermaid For You

Watching these two flirt is getting old. Looks like I’ll have a challenge if I plan to win her over by fishing day, or I can find someone who’s available.

Ava rolls her eyes and sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “I need to show Van around before my shift.”

Yes, you do. I bet if she knew who I was, she wouldn’t—shit. This is the exact kind of behavior I swore I didn’t do. But the petty side of me is tempted to file a complaint and slide it straight up to the top of management. I hate that I’m getting jealous over a stranger, and she’s getting under my skin.

Ava hugs what’s-his-name and nods for me to follow her. And I do, like a damn puppy.

Chapter Four

AVA

Two things I notice about Van. He doesn’t give much away, especially his last name. The second thing is that he’s prickly. This guy is either an arrogant flirt or a cold jerk. He hasn’t said a single word to me throughout the whole tour of the resort, yet now he’s chatting nonstop with lifeguard Maisy.

I stand there with my arms crossed and watch as his stupid chiseled face and golden locks make their way back to me.

“Hey, did you know Maisy is starting veterinary school this fall? Impressive. Beauty and brains.”

“Yeah, and incredible patience to tolerate all your lame jokes. Or would that be kindness?”

His eyebrows practically touch his hairline. “Put your claws away, kitten.”

“Kitten?” My vision turns red. Ever since that humiliating day in class, I despise nicknames, pet names, or any type of nauseating term such as good girl. Kitten falls into that department. First doll, now kitten. That’s it. I can’t stand this guy. He reminds of Blake Doozer. Gorgeous. Charismatic. Cocky. Dickhead.

Not falling for that mistake again. I’m not playing the part of a foolish young girl getting swept away by some sharp, sculpted, beautiful man. Did that. Never going back. I glance up to the sky for patience but find none, so I turn to him and let him have it. Hands curling into fists at my side, I allow my words to tumble out at will. “Last warning. I refuse to put up with stupid pet names from assholes like you. If I were a dude, you wouldn’t tell me to put my claws away. Or call me a puppy!”

“Ava, I’m sorry. It wasn’t meant to?—”

“They don’t pay me enough to deal with you. Let’s go.”

Honestly, I’m not sure why I’m having a meltdown. I’ve dealt with plenty of idiots, smooth talkers, and cocky men. I’ve also had experience with snooty women, drunken, rude college girls, and judgmental or indifferent snide remarks, and everything in between as far as coworkers. Through it all, I’ve remained professional and kind. The pain from my last week of the semester is still lingering. That’s the only explanation.

Van follows me to the employee housing.

I hold a hand up as I key in the code for my room. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I don’t know. But I’m up for wherever you want to lead me.” The cad. His gorgeous smirk and the gleam of mischief in his eyes is annoyingly swoonworthy.

“I have to get ready. You can wait here.”

As I go to shut the door behind me, it stops. Van’s shoe is wedged between. A part of me is tempted to pretend I don’t see it and slam the door as hard as I can. Can one break a foot this way?

“Can we please start over? Please?” Something in his voice has me opening the door. Genuineness? Tenderness? “I don’t have any friends. And I’m off to a terrible start of making any, so it would seem.” I could bring up that he was doing just fine with Maisy. But he’s trying to be the bigger person and get us on the path to a better working relationship. I can respect that.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

His eyebrow quirks up as his lips twitch. “Does that mean I can come in?”

I open the door slightly, enjoying the way he straightens with evident glee, only to say, “Nope.” After shutting the door and double locking it, I go to transform myself into a mermaid.

When I step back outside in my costume—in all but my tail, of course—I have to laugh at Van’s wide eyes and gaping mouth. “You’ve turned pale, and you’re gaping at me. You kind of look like a fish. Close your mouth. I don’t look that different, do I?”

“You’re…” His hand gestures toward my hair.

I giggle and hold out a strand of my wig. “It’s pink! Fun, huh?”

“Yeah! Fun.” He clears his throat. “How long have you worked here, again?”

“Six years. Since I was sixteen, I’ve been working here during the summers. This is my mermaid.” Feeling giddy in all my sparkles and fun makeup, I do a little bow. “Nerine.”

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