Page 12 of A Line in the Sand

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“The aquarium is struggling financially. I suspected as much, but I had no idea it was this bad.” Molly dropped her head on the counter. She could now add an ice cream headache to her list of current problems.

Caroline flicked the blender to the on position, poured the latte for Violet’s dad, and secured the top of the cup with a to-go lid. “Does he have any idea how much you do for the aquarium?”

“Our conversation wasn’t exactly a two-way street,” Molly said. “What am I going to do? There’s not exactly a huge demand for out-of-work mermaids, especially on an island this small. I have dog treats to buy and rent to pay.”

Granted, the rent went to her parents since she was their unofficial permanent tenant in what was formerly the family summer home. But now that Molly thought about it, the unofficial part of that arrangement meant that her mom and dad could change their minds at any time.

They couldevicther.

“I have to find another job.” Molly reached for her latte again. Her hand shook so hard she could no longer aim the straw at her mouth with any sort of accuracy, so she slammed the drink back down on the counter. Ursula gave a little start. “Like, today.”

“It’s going to be okay, Molls.” Caroline shot her a sympathetic glance.

“My parents can’t find out I’ve been fired, especially my dad. You know he always has a lot to say about my life choices, especially since my breakup with The Tourist.” Molly pulled a face. “Really, though, he never understood why I came back here after I graduated from Vanderbilt. After five years, you’d think he would have gotten used to the idea.”

While Molly had been away at school in Tennessee, her mother and father had made their move to Pennsylvania. Her dad, a lifelong academic, gave up his job at the university in nearby Wilmington and signed on to be the head of the history department at a fancy private college in Philadelphia. Her mother had outfitted their new guest house for Molly as a surprise graduation gift. Mom and Dad had just assumed she’d move back home, even though “home” was in a strange place. Dad couldn’t understand why Molly hadn’t wanted to come earn her PhD at his college or start teaching in a classroom like her mother. Instead, she’d taken her shiny new education degree back to their summer home in Turtle Beach and signed on for mermaid duty at the brand-new aquarium. Every summer, he made a case for her to quit, but this year, the pressure had been relentless. If Dad knew she’d been fired, she’d never hear the end of it.

“You could always help out here while you try to find something else.” Caroline waved her arms to encompass the entirety of the bookshop. “You know how crazy the store gets during the summer, especially in the late afternoons once the tourists are finished soaking up the sun for the day.”

“You know I love you, but that sounds like a pity offer,” Molly said.

Although at this point, she couldn’t afford to turn down anyone’s pity. Literally.

“Caroline’s right.” Violet slid her gaze over to Molly. “You do so much for the aquarium. Max needs a stern talking to. He probably has no idea.”

Zero. He had no clue whatsoever.

Molly twirled the straw in her drink. Ursula watched it go round and round. “If the aquarium is really in serious trouble, I’m not sure I want to kick him while he’s down.”

Who was she kidding, though? The thought of kicking Max Miller while he was down wasn’t without merit. Besides, if anyone was down right now, it was Molly. Not that it was a contest, but if it were, she would totally win.

Caroline crossed her arms. “Did Max bother asking you about any of those fundraising ideas you’ve been working on?”

No, actually. He hadn’t.

Molly shook her head.

“Did he get any input from you at all, or did he just fire you on the spot?” Violet asked.

Molly blew out a breath. “Definitely the latter, and he sort of fired Ursula too.”

How had he so succinctly put it?

An aquarium is no place for a dog.

Tourists loved Ursula’s little lobster costume. And bonus: she didn’t frighten the children like the sharks in the shark tank did.

“That settles it—he’s a monster,” Caroline said and slipped Ursula another bite of cheese biscuit.

“Maybe you should simply fight back,” Violet said, as if waging war on an infuriating scientist was a viable possibility.

Come to think of it, though, Violet had done just that against the island’s fire marshal recently and things had definitely turned out in her favor. As in, she and Sam Nash, the fire marshal in question, were currently involved in a whirlwind summer romance. The Charlie’s Angels had already started one of those gambling grids for their pending engagement.

Not that Molly wanted to marry Wilson…er, Max. Honestly, why did she keep calling him that? It had to stop, even in her head.

“Fight back?” Caroline’s gaze narrowed.

No. Fighting back was the last thing Molly needed to do. Even if she managed to get un-fired, Max clearly wasn’t going anywhere. He was the new director of the aquarium. She couldn’t work for him. Not after today, even if the sight of him fully dressed and soaking wet yesterday evening had made her feel all fluttery inside.