“A man ran off,” RJ says, pointing to his left.
“That was my ex. I told him to leave, and…he did.” My friends don’t need to know what just occurred. Hell, I don’t even know.
“Good riddance,” Ardsley mutters.
“Glad you’re okay. Let’s go back inside,” Tyson says.
I turn back to the dark ocean. “Um, give me a minute.”
“Reed disappeared,” Karlo says.
“He, uh, went to his car,” I reply. “So I’m gonna make sure he’s okay.”
Karlo and Ardsley share concerned looks, and I try to send them best friend telepathy to let them know I’m okay.
“You text us when you get home,” Karlo says with conviction. In moments, my buddies leave. At last, it’s just me, the ocean, and the night sky.
I walk down to a small dock with a lamplight shining above. I step on the wood and walk closer to the water “Reed!” I call. “Reed, are you here?”
Bubbles appear from the water, and a head breaches the surface. In the singular light, I can clearly see a purple version of Reed. His face is filled with discomfort and contrition.
I lean toward the water. “Reed?” I ask, breathlessly.
“Sorry,” he murmurs.
“Why are you sorry?” I sit down. “You saved me. I almost became a victim.”
Reed growls and crawls onto the dock. He sits down, and his tentacles flop into the water. I shouldn’t be surprised, considering all the research we’ve done with his nephew. But still, he never confirmed what his maritime monster form was.
And now I’m sitting here with a kraken. My crush has tentacles. That’s equal parts shocking and sexy.
“If he goes near you again, I’m taking his fingers.”
I snicker. “You’re my hero.”
He grimaces. “I’m…not. And I’m sorry again.”
“You are. And why are you apologizing?”
“Because…look at me.”
“Are you seriously apologizing for being a monster?” I laugh. “Something you can’t change? Something I find very…”
I let my voice trail off, and we glance at each other for a moment before staring at the ocean again. “I work with monsters day in and day out,” I murmur.
“Well, I’m sorry for not revealing myself to you sooner.”
“You showed me who you were when you were ready. It’s okay, Reed.”
“Truth is, I wasn’t ready. But seeing that guy touch you…”
“Hey, you rescued me.” I give his hand a squeeze; he’s just mildly slimy. Reed seems shocked by the hand contact. If only this dude knew how attractive I still find him. His smooth, purple skin has patterns of bumps, like those of cephalopods, but he retains his lean, humanoid musculature. And of course, his long appendages are tantalizing. Like several tongues I want to kiss…
“So, thanks,” I add.
“Yes, well…friends protect each other.”
“My very own maritime angel.” We both laugh softly, and I let go.Friends. Of course he still doesn’t want to cross that line. “I won’t tell anyone about your monster form if you don’t want.”
