Page 37 of Beneath the Surface

As he looked around the living area, he noticed a 360º custom gas fireplace finished in mirror-polished stainless steel in the middle of the room. The L-shaped couch was white leather with a black base. A black leather tufted ottoman sat in the middle.

To the right of the living area was a large graphic rug done in blacks and whites, with a black table sitting on top of it. There were white chairs around it. Everywhere he looked there were splashes of red in the décor. It was all very modern, sleek, and cold. It actually reminded him a lot of his apartment back home.Ex-home. My home is here now.

“Hey!” Brett suddenly walked into the living area and ambled over to where Kannon stood. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay.” Brett pulled Kannon into a hug.

“Me?” Kannon hugged Brett, stepped back, and scanned Brett’s arms, looking for any blisters. Not seeing any, he breathed easier. “Thank goodness. I don’t see any blisters. I was really worried.”

“Naw, that stuff Brooke has worked miracles. I got a few still, but nothing you can see.” Brett motioned for them to follow him into the living area. “Are we good, man?”

“I understand why you didn’t tell me, but it’s going to take me some time, Brett. I’m… there’s a lot in my head, you know. And you hurt me even though I understand. So yes, we’re good… or we will be. That’s the best I can do.”

“I understand.”

“Good,” Kannon said. “Now, the wedding?”

“Right. So, the wedding. I swear, this just snuck up on us. Have a seat, guys.”

Kannon curled into Nisha on the couch.

“We’re going to do a quick run-through later this afternoon. Brooke’s maid of honor is also a mermaid and won’t show up until later this afternoon too. She doesn’t spend much time on land.”

“What’s her name?” Kannon asked, intrigued. He never stopped to think that Brooke’s maid of honor would be anything other than human. That was a habit he was going to have to break.

“Cora,” Brett said.

“She’s very tall, with hip-length dark blue hair,” Nisha said. “Very strong-willed and quite good at hand-to-hand combat. She and Brooke have been friends for a very long time.”

“Yeah, she and Brooke are pretty tight,” Brett said. “Cora can be pretty intimidating. She wasn’t overly impressed by me in the beginning. Nisha? Do you have your clothes?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Kannon?” Brett glanced at Kannon. “You got all your stuff too? Outside of the shirt, of course.”

“All I needed was a shirt. I ironed the white pants and hung them up as soon as I knew I needed them, so they’re ready to go. Since we’re not wearing shoes, I’m pretty much ready. What time do you want us here tomorrow afternoon?”

“The ceremony starts at five o’clock,” Brett said. “It’s going to be quick and to the point since it’s only going to be us. There’ll be a small reception held by the staff for us in one of the smaller reception rooms, and I need you guys to be there. We’ll do the cake and a champagne toast at that point.”

“Oh, also bring a small duffle with your regular clothes so you have something to change into,” Brett added. “After the reception and once any well-wishers leave, we’ll head down to that cove they use to transform. The real celebration will take place below the water.”

“Again, it won’t be anything spectacular. Most of the people in my territory have already met Brett. I’ll introduce you as my mate at that time too,” said Nisha.

“Will there be a lot of your people there?” Kannon asked. His stomach rolled uneasily. Talk about jumping into the deep end.

“No,” Nisha said. “I don’t allow many people in my territory.”

“Okay, guys, that’s pretty much everything. Like I said, it’s going be really simplistic,” Brett said. “Any questions?”

“None that I can think of. It sounds like you have it all under control,” Kannon said. He wishedhefelt more in control. Not that things hadn’t seemed real before, but now theyreallyseemed real. He wasn’t sure he was ready to be thrust into the middle of all this.

Brett checked his wristwatch. “I’m supposed to meet Brooke at Sandals in about twenty minutes for a late lunch. Would you like to join us?”

“Um, I’m not really sure…? Nisha?”

“Actually, I was thinking about taking Kannon for a little swim.” Nisha clasped Kannon’s hand. “It’s time you see my world.”

“But…” Was he ready for this? “I thought you planned to introduce me after the wedding?”

“I do. I thought you might like your first time to be a little more private. It would just be you and me,” said Nisha.

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