Page 38 of All I Desire

Chapter Ten

MATTHEW

“Mermaids?”I’m so captivated by the way the sunlight from a nearby window is striking her bright, blue eyes that I can’t do anything but repeat her last word.

“Yeah, you know, like Ariel? Weeki Wachee? The chick on the Starbucks cup?”

“Well, sure. I guess.” I thread my fingers through Natalia’s. “Chloe did say something about wanting to go to that Weeki Wachee place.”

“Aha,” Nat says triumphantly, tugging me down the hall. “Mermosa’s closer.”

“What? You want to bring my daughter to a mermaid lounge?”

“Would you have a problem with that?”

I grin. “Depends. I’d have to know more about it.”

We’re still holding hands as we walk into the resort’s restaurant. The words GULFSIDE GRILL are painted on a surfboard that hangs just inside the entrance. The décor’s best described as minimalist surf shop, all sleek teak and white, with a few strategically positioned colorful longboards around the place. There’s a bank of windows overlooking the beach, and the place is about three-quarters full, which is impressive for the slow season. Opposite the windows on a wall, there are giant, framed, black and white photos of dogs on the beach.

Well, one dog. A rather fat pug. I think it’s the dog I saw the day of the photoshoot. Or this family really loves pugs.

“Hey Mark,” Natalia calls out to a waiter, a youngish guy with a handlebar moustache.

“Hey Nat. Table for two? Indoor or out?”

Nat turns to me. “Any preference? It’s still kinda hot out, so…”

“Indoors, definitely. I’ve been working outside all morning on a chopper.”

“Indoors,” Nat tells the waiter. We follow him to a table and slide into opposite sides of the booth. The waiter hands me a menu.

“I know what you want.” He winks at Nat, then turns to me. “Something to drink for you?”

“Iced tea, please.” The waiter saunters off.

She turns to me. “I always order the same thing when I come here.”

“Which is?”

“Blue crab bisque and a BLT salad.”

“Interesting combo.”

Her eyes light up. “You know what’s interesting? You. A chopper? Tell me more about the helicopters. You were so animated back there, talking to Max.”

There’s something about the way she engages, it just draws me in. I shrug. “I like engines and aircraft.”

“Yeah, but flying them…” The waiter returns with two iced teas.

“I’ll have what she’s having.” I point to Nat.

“Good deal,” he responds, and hustles away.

She looks at me expectantly. “Go on.”

“I love to fly, but also love the mechanics. When Delta offered a buyout, I jumped at the chance and took it, then took the plunge and bought the helicopter business here. That’s been a dream of mine, it was just a matter of where. And when.”

“And why Paradise?”

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