Page 33 of Ensnaring the Siren

So Reid put stiff middle school dance distance between them.

It was effective. He’d dumped a bucket of cold water on the moment, and she quickly lost interest, disengaging, and returning to their table.

It was also confusing. Losing her heat and the feel of her curves beneath his palms hollowed out a hole in his chest, like he’d given up something he shouldn’t have.

Back at the table, he ordered another beer and asked the server to take away the one they’d left unattended, all the while struggling with what to say. He was afraid to ask Nireed what she thought of dancing after he’d made it spectacularly awkward.

A wave of humid air rushed in as the bar door opened, followed by a surprised, but cheery, “Kruetz?”

Well, shit.

Perez and Hatcher headed their way. Neither had seen Nireed up close before, so maybe the mermaid could pass as a townie, but would that be fucked up to ask her to lie about who and what she was?

Nireed tensed, leaning across the table. “What is it?”

“Friends. Fellow, uh, Coast Warriors. They don’t know you can walk on land.”

“Do they know what I look like?”

“Don’t think so. Not from the helicopter. It’s too far away.”

Rather than match his panic, she perked up, seemingly interested, but offered no helpful ideas on how to play this off. Great. He was up shit creek without a paddle.

“Hey, guys,” he trailed awkwardly, standing up to give Perez a quick one-armed hug. “It’s like we live in a small town or something.”

“So much for work-life balance,” Hatcher joked, clapping him on the shoulder. “Mind if we join you? Or is this a date or something?”

Reid looked to Nireed for help, but she was too busy observing his friends with rapt fascination. Had he told them the mermaid’s name? They’d put two and two together right away, if he had. “No, um, I was just showing…her…around.”

“Her?” Perez pinned him with an unimpressed, did-you-just-fucking-dare glare. Even Hatcher gave him a funny look. Great, now they thought he was a player.

“Sorry.” He swiped a hand over his face and weakly said, “This is Nireed. Nireed this is Alejandra Perez and Jake Hatcher. Both are friends and coworkers of mine.”

Then he braced himself.

But their expressions softened, no hint of recognition or outrage. He hadn’t told them the mermaid’s name, then. They had no idea this was her.

The relief was only temporary. Hiding the truth from them felt like shit, but he couldn’t out her, especially not in public. That was a recipe for disaster. Perez might take it well, but Hatcher was more of a wild card.

“Nice to meet you, Nireed.” Perez extended her hand.

The mermaid must have observed enough human behavior because she didn’t miss a beat taking Perez’s hand and shaking it. Hatcher’s too.

Both pulled out chairs and sat down. “How’d you two meet?” Perez asked.

When Nireed met his eyes, he noticed a subtle shift in her demeanor. Curiosity had morphed into uncertainty. “Swimming,” she trailed, and he nodded eagerly, like it was exactly what he’d just been about to say.

Perez began to ask another question, but Hatcher flagged down the waitress, bringing conversation to a pause. As a new round of drink orders was placed, Reid noticed Nireed staring at something over his shoulder, her complexion paling.

She stood slowly. The movement was so careful, so measured, neither of his friends batted an eye. It easily could’ve been mistaken for getting up to go to the bathroom, but Reid sensed something was wrong. Bending down, she whispered into his ear, “I need to go. Now. And maybe you should too.”

Before he could ask why, she strode out of the bar without another word. No hurried goodbye or even a glance back. He looked over his shoulder, trying to figure out what had spooked her. It couldn’t be the dancers, the live band, or the waitstaff slinging drinks.

And then he saw it.

On one of the overhead TVs was a local breaking news report.

Break-in at Nautic warehouse.

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