Fairy Tale Flirts 2! 5 Romantic Short Stories

by Scott, Lisa

  Something was caught in my throat, and I blinked back tears. They didn’t like our show anymore?

  Eric frowned. “It didn’t realize it’s been the same show for years.”

  “Wouldn’t people like the tradition of seeing it year after year?”

  “Maybe the tradition of seeing water-skiers year after year, but not the same show again and again. I’m going to have to think about this.”

  We watched a few more families pass by the amphitheater. Most of them decided to hit the beach instead or visit Side Show Row.

  “Shall we go watch?” Eric asked.

  “Sure.” I’d never had the chance to watch the show as a spectator. Well, I did when I’d faked sick. But I’d been too distracted by Eric to notice the action on the water.

  Checking out the audience as we sat down, I realized the place was only half full. I wouldn’t expect it to be packed all the time, but it was a Friday and the park was busy. As the pirates zoomed out across the water, I noticed little kids were the most entranced. The adults appeared to be amused sports, playing along.

  The music started, and my voice echoed throughout the amphitheater. People seemed impressed. “That voice,” Eric said.

  It annoyed me to no end that he hadn’t realized Jessalyn’s nasally, squeaky voice would be incapable of producing a similar sound, but British bands sounded American when they sang, so maybe he was thinking along those lines.

  “Has Jessalyn sung for you?” I asked innocently.

  “No. It seems a little presumptuous to ask, don’t you think?”

  I shook my head so hard that my red curls flew. “Not at all. If she can sing like that,” I jabbed my thumb in the direction of the speakers, “I’d think she’d love to show off her pipes. Might be a good ice breaker so you can get to know the real Jessalyn.”

  He nodded, as if considering the idea. “Maybe I’ll ask her later. We’re meeting for dinner.”

  I swallowed a growl and turned my attention back to the show. The tricks were great, but they didn’t seem current or hip enough. We’d been doing this same show for six years. But if we didn’t do the mermaid show, what would we do? There was even a big wooden mermaid sign at the entrance to the amphitheater. It had to be a mermaid show.

  When the performance ended, the applause was enthusiastic, but there was no standing ovation.

  Eric pressed his lips together. “Maybe I need to speak to the team about this.”

  “About the show?”

  “I think we need something new.” He pulled me up by the hand. “Come on. There’s lots more to do.”

  We took in a few shows along Side Show Row. Eric was not happy that the princess with the world’s longest hair was gone, leaving only a wig behind.

  “But there’s a long line of people waiting to have their picture taken with it,” I said. “People like taking their pictures so they can post it on the Internet and look like they have a super fun life.”

  Eric laughed. “You’re right. There are a lot of people here.”

  We moved on to play more games, and then slid into a photo booth, posing for silly pictures. When the strips of photos slid out of the slot on the front, he examined them, then looked at me. “We’ve got exactly the same color hair.”

  “I know. You don’t see too many redheads together, do you?”

  He blinked. “I guess you don’t.”

  We stared at each other until I looked away. “You know, the park doesn’t have any of those wooden cutouts where you can stick your face through and pose for pictures. I think people like a few freebies when they’re dropping cash left and right.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” He snapped his fingers. “We could get a mermaid cutout over by the amphitheater. Everyone wants to be a mermaid, right?”

  “Oh, I don’t think everyone does. But maybe it would get more people into the show.”

  He smiled at me, shaking his head. “You really have great ideas. Beautiful and smart. Some lucky guy’s going to scoop you up.”

  My heart fell into my stomach. Some lucky guy. Just not him. “Thanks,” I said, quietly.

  We went over to the guess your age/guess your weight game. Eric won me a small stuffed bunny when the guy incorrectly guessed him as being twenty-one when he was actually twenty-four.

  “Let him guess your weight,” Eric teased.

  I threw the stuffed bunny at him and walked on toward the midway.

  “I was kidding!” He caught up to me and handed back the bunny.

  I brushed dirt off the ears. “Now he’s a dust bunny.”

  He laughed.

  “It’s probably time for you to go see Jessalyn, isn’t it?”

  He checked his watch. “I guess it is. I was having so much fun, I forgot the time.”

  “Well, enjoy yourself. And remember—ask her to sing. I’m going back to my room for a bit. See you tomorrow.” I marched off, grumpy.

  When I got to my room, I took another bath, because baths are awesome, and truthfully, I missed being in the water. After I dried off, I wrapped myself up in a plush white robe and flopped on the bed. I dug my cell out of my purse and called Ariel. “I’m not in, but please leave a message, and if it sounds interesting I’ll call you back!”

  I hung up. I didn’t feel like whining about my love life to my perfect older sister. Besides, she’d probably be livid I left the show before Ari was ready to take my place.

  The ringing of the room phone startled me. I answered it. “Hello?”

  “Elle? It’s Eric. Jessalyn and I are getting seated for dinner in the dining room. Can you join us and maybe help broach the topic of changing up the show a bit?”

  A grin split my face. Game on. “Absolutely. Be down in five minutes.”

  Even though it took me almost an hour to get ready for the show, I had the amazing ability to be ready to go out in minutes. I shook out my nearly dry hair. It had a beachy-wavy look. I clipped the sides away from my face, patted a bit of bronzer on my forehead and cheeks, then applied lipgloss and mascara. Then I changed into the turquoise sundress that Ari said was the hottest piece of clothing I owned, and I sauntered to the elevator. Oh, I had a few ideas for changes, all right. Like changing the star of Eric’s love life.

  Jessalyn smiled through clenched teeth when she saw me.

  “I’m not sure if you two met the other day,” Eric said. “Jessalyn, this is Elle, my new assistant. Elle, this is Jessalyn, the star of A Mermaid’s Tale.”

  I clamped my mouth shut and smiled while Jessalyn smirked. “Nice to meet you,” she said.

  “You, too. A water-skier and a singer. Not everyone can do that,” I said.

  She shrugged.

  “I think it’s so sweet how Eric has been watching you for weeks. Didn’t you say you felt a connection even before you met her the other day?” I asked him.

  Eric slipped me a brief glance. “It’s true. Your personality shines through when you’re out there. I noticed it the first time I saw you.”

  “And that was like, at the beginning of the season, right?” I clarified.

  He scrunched his eyebrows together, thinking. “Yes, like two months ago I guess.”

  We were all quiet for a moment, the classical music playing softly overhead.

  “Well, I’m so glad you decided to meet me,” Jessalyn said. She looked at me. “And now we’re together.”

  I gave myself big points for not stabbing her in the eye with my oyster fork.

  Eric put his arm around her, and she kissed him. On the lips, and I think I saw her tongue. From what I could tell it wasn’t forked, but I couldn’t be sure.

  Eric pulled back with a laugh. “Whoa, let’s save that for later.”

  She set her hand on his chest. “I just can’t help myself around you. Aren’t I lucky, Elle?”

  “Yes you are.” Lucky to still be alive, I thought, studying the menu.

  We placed our orders, and Eric got down to business. “Elle and I have been reviewing everything at the
park, looking for things that need to be tweaked.” He looked at me, and I realized he expected me to talk about changing the show.

  I cleared my throat. “We noticed that not as many people are coming to the water show like they used to. We overheard some people complaining it was the same thing year after year. We’re thinking maybe it’s time to change things.”

  Her face paled. “But the mermaid—everyone loves the mermaid. We can’t change that now. The mermaid has to stay.”

  My throat tightened. I felt the same way. “It’s been the same show for six years.”

  “You’re so talented, I’m sure you and the team can come up with something slightly different,” Eric said.

  Jessalyn and I looked at each other. Luckily, the bottle of wine arrived, and I started drinking.

  Three glasses later we’d finished dinner, and I decided to return to my room. Eric walked me to the elevators.

  Jessalyn grabbed his hand. “Goodnight,” she said to me. “So nice meeting you.”

  I didn’t like the way her eyes narrowed. “Hey, let’s all go to The Beach Shack,” I suggested. “That should be on our list of places to check out, Eric. Gotta see if the employees enjoy it.”

  Jessalyn pulled Eric closer. “We have plans.”

  “We do?” Eric asked. “Elle’s right. We do need to check it out, and tonight’s the perfect night. Come on.”

  ***

  The party was just getting started at the bar. A giant fish net laced with twinkle lights hung from the ceiling. One wall was covered with signatures from past employees. “I’ll get us drinks,” Eric shouted over the music.

  It was my first time alone with Jessalyn since she’d snatched my man. I lowered my voice and glared at her. “Eric is going to figure out you’re not who he thinks you are. And if he doesn’t, I’ll tell him.”

  “Then everyone’s job is at risk.” Jessalyn smiled sweetly. “You sure you want to do that? He may have noticed you at first, but he’s falling in love with me now.”

  I snorted. “No, he’s not. You just don’t give him a chance to get away.”

  “He’s a catch. Who would let him get away?” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, that’s right. You would.” She threw back her head, laughing.

  Eric returned holding three colorful drinks. “I had them create a special drink for us—The Mermaid. Coconut rum, Blue Curacao, and champagne.” He passed out the drinks. “Cheers!” he said.

  “Cheers!” I forced a big smile. Jessalyn was right. There was nothing I could do, not without jeopardizing our spot at Neverland Island. Well, everyone else’s spot. I wouldn’t be able to rejoin the show until the season was over and we moved on.

  But is that what I even wanted? I liked my bathtub. I liked working with Eric. And I liked Eric. I sighed. “I need another Mermaid.”

  I slid off my stool and got another drink just as the dancing started. Before Jessalyn could grab Eric, I took his hand and pulled him on the dance floor.

  “You’ve got some good moves,” he said, watching me shake my arms in the air. “But can you sing?”

  I blinked at him. “What?”

  “Can you sing? It’s karaoke night. We should do a duet.”

  “Why don’t you ask Jessalyn to sing?”

  He snapped his fingers and pointed at me. “That’s a great idea.”

  When we finished dancing and sat down at Jessalyn’s table, Eric crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

  A sultry smile curled her lips and she followed him, looking over her shoulder at me with the same evil look she gave me when she ran off with my surfer three years ago.

  Her smirk disappeared when Eric pulled her onstage. He went up to the microphone and tapped it. “Hey everyone, have we got a treat tonight. The water-skiing mermaid is in the house!”

  Everyone cheered and raised their beer bottles while Jessalyn did a little curtsy.

  “And you might not know it, but she is also the beautiful voice behind the magical song that brings the show to life.” He turned to her. “Jessalyn, please enchant us with a song.” He handed her the microphone and took a few steps back.

  She stood there, frozen. Then the crowd started chanting, “Jess-a-lyn, Jess-a-lyn.”

  I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Let’s hear you sing!”

  Jessalyn cleared her throat. “How about a little Beyonce?” Her eyes were wide. “It’s been a long day, and I’m not warmed up, so I can’t promise much.”

  The music started playing and she sang softly.

  “We can’t hear you,” someone shouted.

  She sang louder. She was off key, and her voice was scratchy.

  Eric looked at me. “Is she joking?”

  The crowd started mumbling. Jessalyn looked panicked and ran off the stage before the song finished. She dashed past Eric and me. “I need to go home. I’m tired. I’m too tired and drunk to sing right.” She dashed out the door.

  Eric moved to follow her, but I grabbed his arm. “Let her go. She needs her sleep and she’s embarrassed. You can talk in the morning.”

  He stood there for a moment, thinking it over. “You’re probably right.” He narrowed an eye at me. “But you owe me a duet.”

  My heart quickened, and I nodded.

  Grabbing my hand, he dragged me on stage. “We’ve got another contender. This time I’m going to help with the singing so she doesn’t run away.” He winked at me and went over to the DJ to request a song.

  The five or so drinks I’d had left me swaying on my feet. Should I disguise my voice? Sing badly on purpose? But when the music started—“Summer Loving” from Grease—my heart swelled and my lungs filled with air, and I started singing. Loudly. Passionately. I couldn’t see the crowd. I couldn’t even see Eric. I got lost in the music. I’d never sung live in front of an audience before. Their energy fed mine.

  When the song finished, I opened my eyes. Eric was staring at me, his lips parted like he wanted to say something, but what? The audience cheered and demanded an encore. Before I could say no, the DJ was playing another song, so I kept singing. After three songs, I needed water, so I left the stage and saw a line of people waiting to sing. Another girl hopped up on stage and started belting out a tune.

  Eric crossed his arms and looked at me. “You’re the one who sings the mermaid song.”

  I nodded.

  He rubbed his chin, opening and closing his mouth a few times before finally asking, “Are you the mermaid? Are you the one I was watching for weeks?”

  I hugged my arms around me and looked at my feet. I had no idea what the truth would do to all of us, but I couldn’t lie anymore. “Yes. Jessalyn was doing the show for me.”

  “Why?”

  “I asked her to fill in for me once…” I looked into his perfect eyes. “Because I wanted a day off to meet you.”

  “Seriously?”

  I nodded. “And then it all got into this tangled lie because you went and met Jessalyn. And I didn’t want you to know I’d skipped the show then end up firing us all. Please don’t fire us. You can fire me, but not my family, or the Chesters, or the Canterberrys. They love what they do.”

  “And you don’t?”

  “I do. I did. But I want something more now.” I stared at him, unable to look away.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. “So all along it was you? You let me go out with Jessalyn and believe it was you?”

  His hands slipped around my waist, and my breathing hitched. “You think it was fun for me watching you swoon over her?”

  “I wasn’t swooning. I was trying to figure out why the spark wasn’t there with her, but it was whenever I was with you.” He trailed his fingers up my arms and rested them on my shoulders.

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “But I was so convinced I was in love with the mermaid, I was desperate to make it work with Jessalyn.”

  I gulped. “Do you forgive me?”

  He twisted his lips, looking deep in thought. Then, he bent his head
and brought his lips to mine. I grabbed his shoulders and kissed him back. If everyone’s lips had a match out there somewhere, I’d just found mine. The kiss was soft and sweet and perfect.

  He pulled away, breathless. “Yeah, I forgive you.” Then he raised an eyebrow. “But what are we going to do about the show?”

  My stomach fell. But then the answer hit me. “Give me two days and I’ll show you something brand new and exciting.”

  ***

  The next morning, I went to Jessalyn’s boat. She looked as if she felt even lousier than I did—and I’d thrown up twice, so that was saying something. “What do you want?” she barked.

  “He knows.”

  She nodded. “So that means you’re taking back your role in the show?”

  “Not exactly. Get everybody together. We’ve got work to do.”

  ***

  There was some grumbling at first, but when I explained that Eric thought the show needed some tweaking because the seats weren’t getting filled, everyone was willing to try a few new things. I stayed up all night working on the changes and typing out instructions for all the new roles and props we’d need. Everyone practiced endlessly.

  The night before the debut of our new show, I was too tired to sleep, so I went out onto the deck and stared up at the moon.

  A few moments later, someone startled me. “Can’t sleep?” It was my dad.

  “I’m just thinking about things.”

  “Your new ideas are great. It’ll be good to have fresh material for our other shows once we leave Neverland.”

  I opened my mouth, then closed it. But I had to say it. I had to tell him what I was thinking. “What if I don’t want to leave?”

  He sighed. “You want to stay here?”

  I nodded. “I really like Eric. And I really like working with him.” The hurt look on my father’s face forced me to look away. He’d lost his wife at such a young age. Then his oldest daughter. Now I was going to leave him, too. His beard probably wouldn’t shake in anger, it would tremble from sadness.

  He said nothing.

  “But I don’t have to stay here. I can come with you guys to the Bahamas. I probably should, especially with all these new changes. It’ll be fun. I’m not ready to leave yet.”