“I believe I read somewhere that it was because Irmine paid the ultimate sacrifice – losing her love to the ocean, a broken heart – that the bonds restricting on her movement between land and water were lifted. Everything has a price, you understand?” Mirra said softly.
“Ah – so if he had lived, would their life have been always that? Meeting for one night a month?”
“Essentially, yes,” Jolie said.
“That’s beautiful, and sad at the same time,” Lola said carefully.
“We all have our lot in life, our own particular struggles or limitations placed on us. One isn’t necessarily better or worse than the other – it’s all in how you handle it,” Mirra said. “Some people would say it would be horrible to only be with your lover once a month. I say it is beautiful to know a love like that, even if it is for but a brief time.”
“Others might resent not being able to walk on land, and yet humans strap tanks to their back and dive into the sea incessantly,” Jolie mused, and Mirra gently poked her.
Lola wondered if Jolie realized she’d referred to people as ‘humans,’ but decided to let it go.
“There’s Gage,” Jolie said.
Lola turned to see a beautiful sailboat leaving the harbor, a group of people on deck, heading toward the west end of the island. She could just make out Gage at the wheel, calling commands to his team. In moments, the sail rose, and Lola gasped.
“It’s a gorgeous boat.”
“Isn’t it? You should do a sunset tour with him one of these days. It’s really quite special. I’m sure he’d take you out on a private tour,” Jolie said.
“Nope. Remember? I need to focus on me,” Lola said.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to hunt down the mermaids?” Mirra asked.
“I did, yes.”
“Well, he’s got a boat that can get you to the island I was telling you about. It’s about a half-day’s worth of sailing, so you need something larger than a Zodiac to get there. Ask him. I promise it’s worth it.”
“How do you know I’ll find mermaid stuff there?”
“I don’t. But I’ve heard tell of it. And worst-case scenario? You get a lovely boat ride and your own beach for a day. Can’t be anything wrong with that, can there?”
“I suppose not. Why don’t you come with?”
“No thanks – we have more guests to prepare for this weekend.”
“Mmmhmm. I’m sure there’s other boat operators who can take me to the island,” Lola insisted, and saw the sisters exchange another one of their glances.
“Of course, but don’t you want to give your friend Gage business?”
“He won’t take my money, so that doesn’t matter, does it?”
“Don’t push her, Jolie, or she’ll never spend time with him again,” Mirra warned.
“Fine, but I would like to go on record as saying she’s a fool,” Jolie sniffed.
“Duly noted.” Lola smiled and took a swig of her beer, watching as the sailboat rounded the corner of the island and faded from sight.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Lola was all but bouncing out of her skin with nerves. Today was the day she went to sign the lease and could officially call the coconut hut her own. She’d already contacted one of the artists she’d met yesterday to commission a sign for out front.
“You ready to start your new life?” Miss Maureen called as soon as Lola walked through the door. She’d stopped by to see Prince on the way, but he hadn’t been in his garden.
“I’m beyond excited,” Lola admitted, bounding across the room to give the large woman a hug.
“You’ll do beautiful things there, that’s for sure.” Miss Maureen pointed to her desk. “You have a seat and read through that there contract carefully. No need to be stupid in business.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Lola said and plopped down in the little folding chair. She took her time going through the lease. It was fairly standard, as far as she could tell, and she noticed there was an option to lock in the current rate if she agreed to a five-year term.
“Hmmm,” Lola said, tapping the pen on her lips. Could she stay here that long? A one-year lease was one thing, but five? But the rate he was offering was amazing.
“What’s that hmmm about?”
“He has an option to lock in five years at the current rate. It seems stupid not to take it, but I don’t think I’ve ever committed to anything for five years. I haven’t even ever had a goldfish.”
“I should tell you… now, he’ll probably not be happy with me if he knows I told you this, but he likes you, so I’m going to tell you anyway. He’s considering offering you a rent-to-buy option after the first year as well. It’s rare for him to give up a property, but I think as he’s aging, he’s seeing that he’d like his buildings to go into the right hands.”
Lola just shook her head, still trying to wrap her head around the idea of Prince as a savvy landlord.
“That’s also an amazing option.”
“I would go with the five-year option if I were you. That rent is a damn steal.”
“That’s the truth of it,” Lola agreed, and she initialed the box, her heart skipping a beat as she did. Then with a flourish she signed the lease. “Phew, what have I done?”
“Started an amazing new career on a fantastic island?”
“Seems like it,” Lola laughed.
“Here’s your keys, darling. I’d go with you, but I have an appointment for my nails in just a bit. Oh… also, I wanted to show you these. Since you said you might want some of my art in your place and all.” Miss Maureen opened a box on the counter and pulled out several items.
“Are these clutches? Oh, they are really beautiful. Just look at that beadwork,” Lola exclaimed, marveling over the lovely purses and how they shimmered with color and joy. “I’ll take them all. What do you sell them for? And why don’t you sell these here?”
Miss Maureen waved that away. “Now I can’t be standing right here while someone picks apart my art. You can sell them for me. Pay me after they’re sold. We’ll work out a price. I really do have to run now.”
Lola gathered the bags and tucked them carefully into her knapsack, before dancing her way out of the shop, Miss Maureen chuckling after her. Lola breezed to her new shop on her scooter, and her heart jumped into her throat when she pulled up and found Prince standing outside.
“I stopped by to see you this morning,” Lola said, parking her scooter and getting off. “I wanted to thank you for this opportunity.”
“You have the right energy for this space. I don’t rent to just nobody,” Prince said, smiling at her and accepting the hug she offered him. “I know you’ll make something beautiful out of it. Places like this, they need love. And it can’t just be any old shop that goes in there. Naw, naw. It’s why I’ve said no to so many people. It’s been waiting for you, that’s for sure.”
“I promise to make you proud,” Lola said, surprised to find tears spiking her eyes.
“That’s the best you can do, then. Now, go on, open it up,” Prince chuckled as Lola bounced to the door, sliding the key into the door of her very own space. Swinging it open, she stepped inside and cheered. “I love it so much.”
“Let’s get these shutters open and some air moving through,” Prince said, walking around and popping the shutters open. “I have a screen guy coming tomorrow, by the way, if you don’t mind. He’s going to measure out and get some nice bug screens on the windows.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Sure I do. I’m the landlord, and you can’t have birds and bugs coming in while people are browsing this fine art. Now, I’d like to be the first to welcome you to this here space with a gift.”
“Prince. You did not have to get me a gift.” Lola put her hands on her hips. “You’ve already done enough.”
“It’s customary to give a gift. Please, let me,” Prince said, and handed her a small package wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with butcher�
�s string.
“Well, if it’s customary, I accept,” Lola said. She carefully unwrapped the paper to find a pile of beautiful shells, polished until they shone in the soft light that filtered through the windows. They were strung together on a knotted leather cord. “Prince, these are lovely – did you make this?”
* * *
“I did. See, it’s kind of like those spirit flags the Indians have,” Prince said, and it took Lola a second to realize he meant people from India. “But it’s shells for you, since it’s a mermaid shop. You hang it over your door and I promise it will protect you from any bad energy entering. Here, I’ll show you. I already put up the nails for you.”
Tears did come this time, as Prince carefully hung his pretty spirit shells over her door, where they looked absolutely perfect.
“It’s like they’re meant to be there,” Lola sighed, wiping her eyes. “Look what you’ve done. Gone and made me cry.”
“Happy tears, I hope,” Prince said, ducking his head, and she could tell he felt a little shy about his gift.
“The best kind of tears. Will you make me more of these? To sell? I can just see them, with a lovely card attached explaining how they’re meant to keep bad energy from a home. I imagine they’d be really popular.”
“Well, now, isn’t that something?” Prince rocked back on his heels and laughed, pushing his cap up. “I never thought myself to be no artist.”
“You are. This is really lovely. Just look how pretty it is up there.”
“Sure does look nice, don’t it? I’ll think about it, that’s kind of you to ask,” Prince said, heading to the door. “But now it’s time for me to go. I promised my granddaughter I’d play cards with her at lunch. Enjoy your space, Miss Lola. It’s meant for you.”
Lola turned a full circle in the shop, elated to be in the space by herself for a moment. She walked in circles several times before finally choosing a spot. Then she sat on the floor, her back against the wall, and began to sketch various layouts that made sense to her. So lost in her designs was she that it wasn’t until someone cleared his throat that she realized she wasn’t alone.
“Gage!” Lola gasped, bringing her hand to her heart. “You startled me.”
“I knocked, but you were very intensely absorbed there. It sure is nice to watch you concentrate, though. You look very sexy. Did you know you nibble on your bottom lip? It makes me want to kiss the spot you’re biting.”
Heat shot straight through her, so sharp that she actively ached for his touch. So, naturally, she glared at him.
“That’s not a very friendly thing to say.”
“I thought it sounded extra-friendly, no? Compliments and everything.”
“What do you want, Gage?” Lola asked, pushing a curl from her forehead.
“I wanted to stop by and see your new digs, plus I brought you lunch.”
“You did?” Lola hadn’t even thought of lunch, but her stomach growled loudly in response.
“See? You can’t turn me down,” Gage laughed, hearing her stomach. Turning, he walked across the empty space to the front door and hefted a picnic basket he’d placed at the stoop. Opening it, he pulled out a large woven blanket shot through with reds and blues and made a show of flapping it open and laying it gently on the middle of the floor. Next, he sat the basket down and began to unpack the food. Lola goggled at the spread he laid out before them.
“All that in just that little basket?”
“I’m hungry too, you know,” Gage said, and offered her a can of sparkling water.
“Thank you, this is really nice of you,” Lola admitted, settling onto the blanket next to him and stretching her legs out. Gage took out a plate and took the liberty of loading it for her with fruit, cheese, and a nice crispy loaf of bread.
“I thought a picnic for our third date would be nice. I so enjoyed our first picnic.”
“This is not a date, Gage.” Lola rolled her eyes.
“I don’t know, Lola; seems pretty date-like to me. Look, I even have flowers,” Gage said. He pulled out a sweet bouquet of flowers tucked in a small bottle, and put them next to her. Lola closed her eyes and let out a sigh, lecturing herself to be nice.
“Thank you for the flowers and the food. This was a very nice and friendly gesture.”
“I know,” Gage said, and Lola laughed at him.
“I really am excited about this. Everyone has been so nice, it’s just… god, I signed a five-year lease,” Lola admitted, taking a bite of the cheese. “That’s a huge step for me.”
“I heard you’re renting James’ place too. That’s a great spot.”
“How’d you hear that?”
“Coconut telegraph. You’ll get used to it,” Gage laughed.
“Yeah, I’m going to finish up my stay at the Laughing Mermaid and then move over there. I haven’t even thought about shipping my stuff, or going to Immigration for residency. And here I’ve gone and opened a shop.”
“Details. You’ll figure them out. Remember, there’s nothing worth doing that doesn’t come with a little hard work. I’ll help you with the shipping company and the immigration stuff. The key? Don’t call them. Just go there and ask for what you need. They’ll deal with you in person, but push you off over the phone. Oh, and don’t go to any office between about noon to two in the afternoon. More or less siesta time.”
“Is that a thing here?”
“Sure is. Everything moves a bit slower. No rush to get things done,” Gage said, stretching his legs out as he looked around the space. “Tell me what you’re thinking for in here.”
“Well, I’m thinking this long wall here with no windows will be perfect for prints and art. So I’ll want to get the right lighting on that wall. Plus, I’d like to paint in here, maybe an accent wall over there.” Lola went on to explain all her thoughts while Gage just watched her. By the time she’d run down, she smiled sheepishly at him. “I know, I have a lot of ideas.”
Gage bent, capturing her mouth with his before she could stop him. And in all honesty, she didn’t really want to stop him. She had been trying to stay strong and ignore her attraction to him, but it was impossible once his lips were on hers.
He tasted like the sea.
Lola sighed against his lips and he took that as invitation to deepen the kiss, sliding his tongue past her lips for a taste, a delicate dance that pulled her in. Lola had to touch him, had to feel – she reached out, wrapping her arms around him as he pulled her into his lap to straddle him like she weighed nothing at all. Lola ran her hands up his shoulders, feeling the muscles that bunched there, as he expertly seduced her with his lips. Dying to feel his hair beneath her hands, Lola tugged the leather cord that held it back and ran her hands through his hair, loving the feel of it.
Her body moved of its own accord, her hips beginning the age-old dance as she rubbed against his hard length, moaning into his mouth as his hands trailed up her back and settled back down at her hips. Her breasts felt heavy, aching for his touch, and she arched her back in invitation. When he pulled away, both of them were breathing heavy, their eyes locked on each other’s.
“Your eyes do change color,” Lola said, entranced to see that the green had deepened to an almost turquoise blue.
“So do yours. You’ve gone almost yellow, like a cat,” Gage said, lazily stroking a hand up and down her back. And like a cat, Lola wanted to arch into his hand, and beg to be stroked.
“Gage…” Lola began, but he put a finger over her lips.
“Don’t say it. Just leave this moment as is. We’ve been having such a nice time – don’t let your thoughts get in the way,” Gage said, and Lola sighed, easing herself gently off of him, though her body screamed in protest.
“I just –”
“Need to trust your feelings and not try to control or label this?” Gage suggested.
“I like knowing where things stand. Murky waters worry me.”
“There’s nothing murky here. I’ve been very clear about my intention
to court you.”
“Court me.” Lola laughed at the old-fashioned word. “And I’ve been very clear that I’m not open for courting.”
“Those swollen lips and bedroom eyes say differently,” Gage said, running a finger over her lips. She almost bit it just to prove him wrong.
“That’s lust. It happens,” Lola said, pulling her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, feeling like a stubborn child.
“It’s more than lust, but I’ll let you think that for now. So, tell me, what color are you thinking about painting your accent wall?”
“You want to talk paint colors after that kiss?”
“Sure, why not? Decorating really turns me on,” Gage said, and Lola laughed.
“It does not.”
“Sure it does. Put on the HGTV channel and it’s like porn for me.”
Lola couldn’t help laughing as she punched him lightly in the shoulder, amazed at how easily he navigated them past sticky moments, and yet still seemed to get exactly his way.
“Thanks for the floor picnic, Gage. This was nice.”
“I wonder what date number four will look like,” Gage mused as he stood and began packing the picnic.
“There is not going to be a date number four,” Lola insisted, but she was speaking to his back as he left her space.
“Yes there will be,” he called over his shoulder, and this time Lola did stomp her foot like a child.
But she couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the day.
Chapter 24
Lola spent the next two days in a flurry of design and research, broken by constant interruptions from curious islanders. It seemed that once the word was out that a new store would be opening, everyone needed to come by and see what was happening. In some respects, it was frustrating to be interrupted so much; in others, it was very helpful – because instead of Lola having to track down contractors, they just showed up. Within a day she had workers contracted for painting, lighting install, and two potential designers for building out a small kitchenette area as well as an outdoor studio in the back. The more she’d thought about having her own studio – for painting, mosaics, and photography – the more the idea had stuck. It would be nice to lead classes there, Lola thought, eyeing the breezy back garden surrounded by palm and plumeria trees. She could even get local artists to teach their own arts there, maybe have a rotating schedule each week.
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