Page 15 of Bewitched By the Siren
“I do take care of myself,” I grumble, but there’s no heart in the words.
She’s kind of right. As much as I love her and will always take care of her, I don’t really do anything that’s just for me. I enjoy my time at the Sea Turtle Center, sure, but that’s only a few hours a week, and it’s technicallywork.
Between being here for her and my fear of being discovered, I never let loose. I never get close to anyone. I never follow my heart.
Not that having breakfast with Brendan would have anything to do with my heart, but it would probably be fun. I had fun with him last night, at least until he asked about my family. That one seemingly simple question made me freeze, then turn tail and run like a crazy person. I’m surprised he wants to spend time with me again after my odd behavior.
And now that he’s heard Mom’s voice? He’ll have questions.
My muscles relax a bit. Maybe telling Brendan about Mom wouldn’t be such a bad idea. He’ll see how important it is thatI be here and maybe even stop pressuring me to sign with his agency. I can make him see why I can’t leave. All without revealing my big secret.
Mom must see something in my expression, because she says, “Yes. Go. Have fun. And bring me back a burrito.”
She shoots me a wink with that last bit, and a chuckle bursts out of me. Pushing out of the chair, I lean over and give her a tight hug.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, honey. Now, shoo. Don’t keep the man waiting.”
“I won’t be gone long,” I say as I turn to go.
“Stay as long as you want. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here when you get back. I promise.”
“Dark, Mom. Dark,” I grumble, and she laughs.
She’s always making light of her condition and her inability to move around on her own. But it’s better than falling into a deep depression over circumstances she can’t control or change, and I’m glad her spirits remain high. And her good humor keeps me from falling over the edge, too.
I head into the kitchen to grab my phone from the counter where I left it before Brendan’s impromptu visit. Shoving it into my pocket as I walk, I slide my feet into the flip-flops I left by the back door and step outside.
“Here we go,” I murmur as I jog down the steps to the beach.
I’m going to relax and enjoy myself, just like Mom said. I deserve it. And I’m not going to let my anxiety ruin anything today.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Brendan
I looktoward Hali’s house for the seventeenth time since I came down here, and this time, I’m not disappointed. She’s coming. I’ve been sitting here, twiddling my thumbs for the last ten minutes while refusing to open the picnic basket. I didn’t want to start eating and have her show up while I have a fat burrito sticking out of my mouth.
I give her a wave and a smile as she approaches, then flip open the basket while she kicks off her sandals and plops down on the blanket next to me.
“Here you are, Milady,” I say as I hand her a foil-wrapped burrito with an exaggerated flourish.
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” she replies, making my chest warm as she plays along.
I pull out the thermos of coffee and a single-serving bottle of orange juice and hold them up. Hali nods toward the coffee while she unwraps her burrito, and I quickly grab the mug I stashed in the basket and fill it up for her.
A cool breeze blows off the ocean, hitting me in the face, and I wonder if Hali is cold. She’s wearing a pair of tiny cotton shortsand a crop top while I’m dressed in sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. Despite the afternoon heat and humidity the last couple of days, the mornings have been chilly. Like November mornings aresupposedto be. I hope she won’t use the chill in the air as an excuse to cut this little breakfast date short.
Wait. No. Notdate.
“Oh, my God, this is so good,” she says from behind her palm, breaking the silence as she chews her first bite.
“The key is scrambling the eggs in the leftover bacon grease,” I say with a grin as I pull one out for myself and begin to unwrap it.
“I always do,” she says, shaking her head. “What kind of cheese is in here?”
“Extra sharp white cheddar,” I say, and she nods at me with wide eyes.
