Page 32 of Beauty and the Beach

“Don owes him money so he bankrolled the show I’m in. Maud, my understudy, is in the hospital.” Ana held up her hand. “They didn’t put her there. She was doing something stupid. Breathing pure oxygen before the shows so she could stay underwater longer and she’s not doing so well tonight. I’ve got to go in and do her part tonight.”

“Why didn’t she sign a contract and become a real mermaid like you?”

“Oh Makoa.” Ana closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his chest. He truly did believe she was a mythological creature.

“You don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to. Between me and Holt, Tetsuo can’t force you.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want to cause a scene. I’ve got to do this. It’s bad timing, but if I do this favor for him, maybe I can get some more time off.”

Makoa gripped her upper arms. “You don’t do favors for guys like Tetsuo Hojo.”

And older woman dressed like a gypsy fortuneteller put her hand on his shoulder. “Let her go, Makoa. She needs to do this.”

“I love you,” Ana said, and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “I’ll call you after the show and we can talk.”

Hopefully, he would still want to be with her when he found out she was as human as he was.

Chapter Twelve

The hardest thing Makoa had to do was watch Tetsuo Hojo walk away with his girl on his arm.

“I’ve got this,” Joely said to Zarafina, and hooked her arm around Makoa’s. “Come on. We’re going to say our goodbyes to Hani and Theresa and then we’re going to follow Ana and Tetsuo. I think I know where they’re going.”

“I’m not an action hero, Joely. I can’t go up against Tetsuo head to head.” He was a bellhop who thought he could swim with the mermaid, but got muscled out by the shark,

“Of course you’re not. That’s why Holt is going with us.”

Makoa brightened up. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t bring in his own shark to help out. “Roger dat.”

He felt bad about leaving the wedding reception early, but Hani and Theresa were too busy with family to even notice they were skipping out early. He hugged Theresa and slammed Hani on the back a few times and as Makoa was about to leave the reception, he turned back to look at him.

“Are you and Holt still that happy?” he asked Joely.

“Most days.”

“What about the days you’re not?”

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