Page 56 of Seduced By the Mermen
“I didn’t know that,” Annabelle says. “You’re dating an architect.” She laughs.
“I’m not...” But I guess I am. I’m dating seven––no, six guys and a tall grump. I glance ahead of me at Nico.
Castor clears his throat. “Why does that matter?”
“Oh, no reason.” Annabelle laughs, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I remember the exact reason. Marlee and Annabelle sitting at the farmhouse table. Reading a long list of professions out loud. I didn’t know why. I thought they were planning for the future, but turns out it was a list of the sexiest professions a man could have. Architect was number two, right under firefighter. Marine biologist was number five.
Holter maneuvers us into the airlock and to the dock.
It’s crowded. But walking down the dock with Annabelle and her mates, the crowd parts for us. I hear more than one father scolding a child not to point. And I wonder if that’s directed at me or at Nico. Annabelle and her guys are famous, and it’s taken me a while to figure out just how famous they all are.
We’re met at the door by a male with a tablet clutched to his chest. “Oh good, the Portsmouth pod. We’ve saved special seats for you. Thank you so much for coming. The podlets are soexcited to have you here today. I just hope they don’t forget any of their lines.”
“I’m sure they will do wonderfully.” Annabelle smiles at the male.
“And Blair Portsmouth, I’m Gonic Turin, headmaster here. We are honored to have you. I know someone is really looking forward to seeing you today! Right this way.” He pivots and takes us down a long, full corridor and into what looks like a back hallway. Remarkably, he doesn’t say anything about Marlee being missing. He leads us to a cluster of seats roped off. There are signs saying something in Dorian. I really need to up my studying. It’s amazing that everyone here speaks so many languages.
“Here Aunt Blair, sit on the end so you can see better,” Annabelle says.
“Neither of you are sitting on the end,” a voice growls.
I expect it to be Nico, but it’s the normally jovial Eros who’s growling.
“I can see from here.” I lean forward a bit.
“I don’t like the way those males over there are leering at you.” Eros cocks his head.
“There’s no one leering,” I say, just as the lights blink and those standing rapidly take their seats. Holter sits on the end, followed by Annabelle, and then me. Nico sits behind Annabelle, and Eros is in front of us, Castor’s next to me. “We’re surrounded.” I elbow Annabelle, lightly.
“True. But there’s a plethora of males leering at you,” Annabelle whispers. “The Driftwood pod is over there, to your right. And the Mason pod is behind us.”
I turn so fast you would think someone saidbuy one, get one freeat the local market. They’re all smiles. Alexei, Clark, Zion, Forrest, and Grayson are sitting together. Clark waves, and I smile and wave back. A large shadow in the back of theroom next to some art display boards catches my eye, and I stop waving. Sterling. I turn back around with a jerk.
“Are you okay?” Annabelle asks.
“Sterling—he’s being his normally grumpy self.”
“I’m sure you can win him over,” Annabelle says.
“I’m kind of done trying to change men. If he doesn’t like me for who I am...” The stage lights come on as the auditorium lights dim and the stage opens. I should have asked for more information. I don’t have any idea what this is going to be, but it’s children. So, cute and too long is what I’m going with.
Chapter 24
Delmar
“Thank you for coming.” I’m trying to control my smile.Don’t look like a piranha with so many teeth, I can hear my grandmother say.
“Of course. I love the Fourth of July,” Blair says.
“Oh yes. It’s a nice day.” I clear my throat. The eyes of my students and their parents are all on my back. Petra even asked me when we were going to mate and have podlets. For a brief moment, it caught me off-guard—though I know it wasn’t Petra’s question but one she heard from her parents around their supper table.
“It’s the American’s version of Feast of Liberisca, sort of,” Alexei says, moving closer to Blair.
“Ah, yes. I remember that now. I’m not an expert in human culture. Not like Alexei.”
“Nice job with the five years.” A father slaps my back. It takes me a moment to recognize him as a father of one of my former students.
