Page 9 of Sharkbait
And time itself seems to slow way, way down.
This must be what love at first sight feels like.
If I believed in such a thing.
I lift my palm to touch the glass, and I almost can’t believe it, but she places her flipper right against mine.
My eyes well with tears.
How magnificent can one creature be?
“You coming?” Brendan’s voice is suddenly right in my ear.
I startle, but my eyes stay glued to the sea lion. “Yes, in a minute, I’m just—”
“She likes you,” a female voice says. I turn to see a silver-haired woman approaching with a smile.
“Oh. Hi. Dana, right?” I give her my full attention and reach out my hand. “Sorry, I’ve been volunteering for a few months, but there are still plenty of people—and animals—I haven’t officially met.”
She takes my hand and gives it a friendly squeeze. “No problem. Big place. Takes a while to get to know everyone. I started as a volunteer too. Many years ago.” She chuckles. “But now I’m Head Aquarist, so it’s sort of my job to know everyone.”
My cheeks heat. “Oh. I didn’t realize—I mean, my interview was with Andre, so—”
She waves off my embarrassment. “Recent development. Andre retired last week. I got promoted.”
“Congratulations! So you’re my new—”
“Hey! Lady! Try to keep up, will ya?” Brendan bellows from where he’s pacing by the exit sign.
“Boss, yes,” Dana finishes my sentence for me. “I’m your new boss.” She jerks her head in Brendan’s direction. “His too. Whether he wants to accept it or not.” She keeps her back to him when she asks, “How’s the tour going?”
“Great,” I say, a plastic smile in place.
She places a warm hand on my shoulder. “Say no more. I’ll take care of this.”
“Dana, he’s fine,” I whisper. “I don’t want to cause any—”
“Brendan?” Dana tosses her voice toward the exit. “Carry on. I’ll take Louise on the rest of her tour.”
“But,” he sputters.
“Carry. On,” she repeats in a tone that brooks no argument.
“Whatever,” he murmurs, then pushes through the door without another word.
“Ah, Brendan.” Dana sighs. “Amazing with penguins. People? Not so much. Come on. Let me show you the ropes.”
Chapter Two
James
"Hi. I’m James, and I’m an alcoholic.”
“Hi, James.” A chorus of voices rumbles off the white plaster walls of the community center. It’s one of my favorite sounds on the planet. Those two words spoken by a few dozen people—some I know well, others not at all—translate to “we’ve been there, man” and “we’re listening.”
It’s a relief every damn time I hear them.
I wipe a smudge of algae off my forearm. Normally, I’d shower right after my volunteer shift at the aquarium, but after the surprise of seeing Cold Brew there this morning, I skipped the suds and hauled ass to this meeting as fast as I could.
