Page 15 of Crocodile Tears
“Why no partner though? I thought you wanted to be with someone, just not the spicy stuff.” I furrowed my brow. “Aren’t you panromantic?”
They rolled their eyes at me. "And how many fellow panromantic asexuals am I going to meet on our little island, hm?"
“God, I feel you there,” I grumbled, swiping the strands of windswept hair out of my eyes. “How am I supposed to find anyone to date long enough to even catch feelings for them? Maybe you and I should just move to the city together. I’m sure there’d be people for us if the population of our hometown was bigger than 50.”
“I like living at the zoo. Cities seem like a sensory overwhelm nightmare.” They shrugged. "I've just accepted it's not going to happen for me. I'm going to be the fun auncle and that will be that."
"You're twenty-two,” I lamented. "You can't give up on love already.”
“You have," they pointed out.
“I’m twenty-seven years old,” I countered, putting on myPride & Prejudicevoice. “I’m the one in fun aunt territory.”
“We can be fun aunties and auncles together,” Heron replied. “The rest of our siblings will have enough kids to keep Mom busy for the foreseeable future.”
"I really,reallyhope so,” I muttered. "And Mom isnotsetting me up on a date with Deacon Harrow,” I added, unable to let it go. “That's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said. She's helping him avoid a PR crisis in exchange for him to continue filming at the zoo."
"Oof," Heron said. "He threatened to pull filming from the zoo?"
“I have no idea.” I shrugged. “I’m just guessing based on how adamant she was I come today. I wouldn't put it past him though.”
"Damn," they said. “He used to be such a nice guy."
“Did he?” I asked. “I can’t remember anymore.”
We both knew that was a lie, but Heron, being one of the most emotionally intelligent of my siblings, decided to leave it alone.
The boat pulled into the harbor, and when I got to the wharf, I saw Deacon's assistant, Luca, waiting on the end.
"I'm to escort you to your lunch," he called as I climbed the stairs up the wharf.
I looked at him like he had two heads. “Escortme?”
His smile softened. "Deacon would come himself but his reps insisted that it would draw a crowd. He has a reservation for you two at Seafarer’s Table.”
I frowned at Luca’s work attire—a tan blazer with a black T-shirt underneath, slacks, and shined black loafers. I looked between his perfectly pressed clothes and then down to my work uniform. “Seafarer’s Table? I was told we were having lunch at the pier for a photo op. As in the pier that is all food trucks, not fine dining?”
Luca shot a quick but noticeable look at my clothes that had my cheeks burning. He gave me a half-smile, half-grimace.
“This would've been great information to know before I came in wearing khakis covered in mud and bird shit,” I groused. “I thought we were just getting burgers or something. Who haslunchat Seafarer’s Table?”
Luca cringed. "I'm so sorry. I should’ve been more clear in my communication with?—”
"It's not your fault. It’s Deacon’s.” I blinked at his overly repentant expression. "I know you probably have to apologize for Deacon all the time, but you don't need to do that with me, okay? In fact, I insist.” Luca gave me a tight smile but nodded. "I should've asked for clarification on the dress code. Normally, lunch at the pier in this town means pizza, burgers, or fish and chips.”
I waved to Heron as they tore off into the midday sun. They were going to run some errands around town while I had my lunch, and then we were going to ride home together. My mom’s fridge had a running list of things we needed from town and it was the job of whoever was running into town next to grab it and do a supply run. Crane needed some WD40, Wren needed embroidery thread, Finch needed a specific brand of protein water, and Hannah had requested a giant bag of chocolate-covered pretzels.
My phone let out an ear-piercingding!but it was only a photo Hawk sent to the family chat of our tiger with her tongue sticking out. Hannah’s due date was so close now that I had my phone notifications set to extra loud and obnoxious so I didn’t miss anything. I kept getting butterflies in my stomach all throughout the day, getting excited all over again for my friend. I knew Hannah was more than ready to serve this baby an eviction notice.
Luca inclined his head, and I started following after him. I shuffled my boots a little extra when we reached the gravel road, hoping it would rub most of the muck off them before I entered the elegant restaurant.
I swung my arms as I walked. “Let’s get this photo op over with.”
“This isn’t just for an amicable pic," Luca said. "Deacon wanted to have lunch with you to ask you something.”
“Ask me to publicly apologize I'm guessing,” I replied, staring at my still mud-splattered boots as we wandered the waterfront. “Or issue a retraction or whatever it is you people do.”
“Something else.”
