She shakes her head. “No. I’ll send her a text. She understands when a BFF is needed.”
Alice grabs my fins, tugs my tail off my hips, and hands me my clothes. I change, despite the numbness in my limbs. She treats me to Mexican food for dinner and a slasher movie. She tries to cheer me up, but I can’t crack a smile. My face has turned to marble. My heart freezes in place. There’s a block of ice where it once was, and no one will stop the blizzard roaring in my soul.
They say the third time is the charm. But for me, there will never be a third time falling for someone. It’s too late. I’m already dead inside.
38
Twodaysfadebywithout Sully, and I’m finding my rhythm again. I perform at the restaurant and do my events on the side. At night, I’m working on my website and fulfilling a ton of online orders. I’m booked for the rest of the year. Maybe next summer, I’ll travel to Europe alone or with a group of fellow mermaids and visit all the places I wrote about in my notebook. Who says I need to go with anyone special?
Alice and Emily watch a horror movie, snuggled on the couch under one blanket. They laugh at the actors and yell at them for their dumb mistakes, like running upstairs and not out of the house.
Screams come from the TV. I’ve had enough of their movie marathon. I appreciate Alice staying here and not going out partying so I’m not home alone, but honestly, it’s better when I’m alone. Having them kiss and giggle just reminds me of what I don’t have.
I check my email, and Peter sent me copies of my last photoshoot. I flip through them, and they are vivid and breathtaking. The underwaterones are my favorite. I look like a real mermaid. I grab a few and create online posts for my social media handles. It’s hard to pick which ones should be printouts and used in my store.
A knife pierces through my chest and twists my gut. The images of Sully and me are at the end. He’s cradling me, and we’re staring into each other’s eyes. He’s holding me above his head. He’s saving me from a net. I rescue him from the water.
It’s overwhelming to see him looking at me like I’m precious and kissing me like I’m the only woman on Earth, but Insta paints another story.
I’m the other girl, and what’s worse is no one knows we were ever together. I’d sound like a crazed fan if I told anyone. These photos could be evidence to prove I’m not lying, but people would claim I faked them with Photoshop somehow, and with me being a mermaid, it’s not a great defense.
Besides, I don’t want to be involved in an online war. I can’t do anything that could damage my name or image. Mermaid Veronica is a brand, and nothing can taint her.
I email Peter back, telling him I love the pictures, thank him again, and then finish saving them to my desktop. I close my laptop and lie on my bed, preparing to read a book, but my phone buzzes. My heart sinks knowing who it’s from.
Veronica, please answer me! I need to see you. I never kissed Gigi! Those pictures are fake!
My lungs tighten, like I’ve been holding my breath too long. My eyes blur with tears I don’t want to shed. I want to believe him—God, I do—but it’s getting harder to hold onto hope whenevery day brings a new reason to let go. I’m tired. Tired of wondering if Gigi’s stealing him from me piece by piece. Tired of feeling like I’m the one he hides instead of the one he chooses.
I’m at the studio right now but after I’ll swing by your work. Will you be there?
I silence my phone and pick up my book, pretending the words on the page matter more than the ache in my chest. Tomorrow, I’ll tell Arthur and the rest of the security team at The Pearl Kingdom to keep him out. Not because I hate him—but because I need space to breathe. He’s leaving to go on tour soon anyway. Maybe it’s better if he doesn’t see me at all. Maybe that’s how I’ll finally let go.
39
Companieswithbusinessmeetingswho hire me are some of my easiest jobs, but they can also be the most awkward. I dress in my blue tail, and Arthur pulls me to the ballroom on a flatbed cart. I hug my tail to my chest to keep it from dragging on the ground. When we arrive at the event, Arthur helps set me up on a table decorated with sea shells and starfish. I have a matching crown on my head, and I wave to every guest, welcoming them and handing them a fancy gold gift bag.
Arthur wanders off to sneak some appetizers while he waits to move me to the next area.
Later, as a man in a navy-blue tux stands in front of the room talking about numbers and stats in a mic, Arthur wheels me to another table. I lie on my stomach with my tail flipped up into the air. I greet and briefly chat with anyone who comes to the dessert table.
People find me charming, asking me about my tail, and some joke, asking how the ocean is these days. I play along, and they laugh as theygrab their treats. Arthur stands a few feet away with business cards if anyone asks about my services for their next gathering.
When closing remarks are made, I’m back on the cart, waving at anyone who notices me on the move.
I change inside an empty business meeting room with a large circular table surrounded by chairs. My calf cramps from the angle it’s been held in for such a long time. I bite my hand and flex my foot, slowly easing the pain.
Arthur knocks on the door. “Everything alright in there?”
I rub the muscle in spasm, trying not to cry in pain. “Yeah,” I say, voice breaking.
My phone buzzes. I grab it and read the message.
Can u meet me 2day? I’ll send a car. It’s important.
His brief words smack into me and throw me off. I fall out of my chair.
“Ow,” I mutter, rubbing my tailbone.
