“Will you still be here on Friday?” he asks, and I can tell how hard he’s trying to seem okay in this moment. “You all could come to the private preview for the new mermaid display.”
“And your exhibit? Melville and theEssex?”
He nods, his mouth lifting on just one side. “It’s not going to be highlighted in the program, but yeah, that’s the goal.”
I don’t know if I’ll be any closer to figuring out my heart in four days, or everything else he’s offering, but I’ll have to.
Because Mom may not be in her normal rush to pack, but our ferry tickets for Saturday have already been bought.
Thirty-Eight
Wren
Dad had insisted we both dress for the occasion, and I’d agreed. The difference being my suit didn’t come with a fake chest plate and crown like his did.
I didn’t comment on his choice of clothing tonight though, and he didn’t once suggest I wear so much as a single seashell-encrusted accessory. Not that Tate had left me any. He’s playing the part of the real-life Nereus for the evening, and so far, he doesn’t seem to mind the extra attention. If he isn’t careful, my dad will have him in a tail before long.
“Hey, Nereus?”
Tate looks up from the group of kids he’s regaling with stories of wrestling sharks, then wraps up his story before making his way over to me.
“So, what do you think?” He gestures at his chest plate and stretches out his harpoon that was made to look like whale bone with intricate scrimshaw designs carved into it. “Do I look like a prince of the sea or what?”
“You look like something,” I agree, muffling a laugh.
Tate ignores my sarcasm. “Do you think your dad will let me have a say in who he hires to play the new Nerissa now that Eryn’s officially hanging up her fins?”
“I don’t know, maybe.” I still feel hollow remembering that Eryn isn’t going to be a part of things around here anymore.
I’ve seen her outside the café a couple of times since that last night by the lighthouse, and while she’d given me a tight-lipped smile and even returned the somewhat awkward hand I’d raised in greeting, we hadn’t said anything to each other. I hope it won’t always be that way between us, but I understand why it needs to be for now.
After a moment I ask, “Did Eryn say if she’s going to come tonight?”
Tate stops admiring his weapon and slowly shakes his head. “She’s hanging out with some of her coworkers from the café.” He hesitates then adds, “Including that Elliot guy.”
I won’t lie and say I don’t feel anything hearing that, but it’s more like expecting pain rather than actually being hurt, like tensing for a shot before realizing the nurse already gave it to you. “She’s doing okay then?”
He nods. “She is.”
And hearing that doesn’t hurt at all.
Tate shifts his weight, clearly sensing a change in my mood. “What about your special guest, she here yet?”
That question does cause a reaction in me, not pain, but something close to it. I haven’t seen Lili yet and I don’t want to even think about her not showing up.
Tate doesn’t need me to say anything. My gaze boring a hole through the front doors is answer enough. “She’ll be here. Trust, my friend.”
Every time I hear the door open, I try to convince myself that she’ll be standing there, smiling at the sight of me, but she’s not. Other people arrive, and I know I should be glad that I recognize so many of our neighbors who showed up to support us, but there’s only one face I need to see tonight.
And then, suddenly, I do.
I make my way toward Lili, stopping only to say a quick hello to Mrs. Mayhew and Goldie, who’s all but yanking the older woman forward to see the mermaid skeleton couple in the center of the museum.
“What a fine job you’ve done here tonight,” Mrs. Mayhew says, leaning in to press her cheek to mine. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Thank you for coming,” I reply, unable to keep my gaze from drifting past her shoulder to see Lili. “I’m working on another exhibit that includes some of your late husband’s collection. If you want to come by sometime this week, I can give you more details on the progress.”
Mrs. Mayhew nods, her eyes following mine. “Oh, yes, I do want to hear all about yourprogress.” She squeezes my hand. “Go on now. It seems like you’ve been waiting long enough already.”
