“You’re right. This place doesn’t seem that clean.”
I laugh, pushing myself from the sink and standing on my fins. “That and my legs are trapped.”
“Right.” He runs a hand along my tail. “Kinda sexy though.”
“Maybe we can try that later,” I say softly, looking up at him through my lashes.
Blood floods into his cheeks, and he coughs. “I’ll let you transform back into human form,” he says, and walks out the door.
I change into my shorts and white top with a mermaid shell bikini on the front before relieving myself in a graffiti-covered stall. When I set out with my bag over my shoulder, Sully is sitting on the hood of my car,looking at his phone. I toss my stuff into the back and grab my phone, checking to see if I missed anything since this morning.
My dad texted me an hour ago, reminding me to pick up ice cream for dinner tonight.
“Shit,” I mutter, shoving a thumb and finger into my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Sully looks at my phone and then at me.
“My dad. I forgot my parents invited me to dinner tonight. He wants me to bring ice cream. I totally spaced it.” I slam the trunk and run a hand over my neck. “I’m going to have to reschedule our dinner.”
Sully traces my collarbone with his fingers. “We can have dinner with your parents. If you don’t mind.”
“You want to meet my parents?” I squeak.
He chuckles, hooking a finger under my chin and closing my gaping mouth.
“Unless you think they’ll kill me or something.”
“No. They’re nice…” I tap my phone against my palm. “Do you really want to come?” I grab my keys and walk to the driver’s side.
“I’d love to meet your parents,” he says over the car before getting into the passenger’s seat.
Butterflies attack my stomach. But something hums in my blood. I like the idea of having someone come to dinner.
It’s going to be interesting explaining what Sully and I are to my parents, but at least it gives them something else to focus on than their daughter being a grown woman who is a mermaid for a living. All I need to hear is my mom going off on how I’m wasting my time. Dad doesn’t say anything cross, to my face at least, but he doesn’t back me up either. He’s neutral and likes to keep the peace.
“Okay, great. I’ll text Dad and tell him I’m bringing a guest. We’ll grab the ice cream and head over.”
He clears his throat and plucks at his swim trunks. “Don’t you think we should also change?”
“Yeah.” I grimace, wrinkling my nose. “That’s a good idea and maybe shower. I think there’s sand in my hair.” I shove my fingers into my hair and shake it and the sand rains down.
“No sand warning in your mermaid handbook?” he jokes, laughing.
“There are pros and cons to everything.” I blow a piece of hair from my eye.
His gaze darkens. “What are the pros?”
I bite my lip and back out of the parking spot. “I’ll have to show you later.”
His eyes blaze into me, but I don’t flinch. I may know what his reward is for helping me and it’s going to blow his mind. It’s fun having Sully around, and he’s more reliable than any guy I’ve been with, and we’re not even officially dating.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we could be a couple. Having him hold me and staring into each other’s eyes for those pictures were some of the best moments I had posing for the camera. He turned the job into a fun experience. Arthur is a good mer-handler and friend, but he’s too professional.
It would be a lie if I didn’t admit I like the idea of having a partner. A prince to my mermaid as Peter put it. But we’re nothing but friends with benefits. A mermaid and a rock star, what kind of story is that? As we drive toward Sully’s place, a voice whispers to let it go. To live in the moment, and for once, I am.
Sully turns the radio on and flips through the channels until he lands on a song he likes. He starts singing, and I can’t help but laugh and join in. We belt out the lyrics with the windows down, the salty ocean breeze tangling in our hair and making everything feel a little lighter.
This isn’t how I imagined today going—but somehow, it’s better.
