The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Three

"How was your afternoon?" nana asks me.

I glance at her. "It was good."

"Just good?"

"Were you expecting more?"

She shrugs. "I thought you two were destined to be together and all that..."

"We haven't really talked about it." It's a semi-lie. We have talked about it but more just about it, there has been no actual talking about what it means for us. I can tell Austin is being cautious around the topic, obviously waiting for me to bring that part of it up first. I just need time, I guess. Time to process everything.

"I'm going for a quick walk." I say quietly, pushing off the loveseat.

Nana raises a brow. "A quick walk? You are obviously going to hunt Harley down." She folds her arms across her chest.

I sigh. "You got me, gotta give her the talk about not breaking my brother's heart and all that."

She smiles, shaking her head. "You're a good sister. Be nice though."

I snort. "I'm textbook nice."

Her loud laugh makes me smile wide as I head down to the beach where Harley is still on the phone. She's pacing in the sand, digging her feet in and scooping sand out as she goes. I linger out of hearing distance until she's finished with the phone call. I don't want to pry into her privacy like that.

She stares at her phone after she hangs up before tilting her head back to look up at the sky. I take that as my cue to make myself known to her.

"Hey."

She jumps, her hand settling on her chest. "Oh my gosh, Isla, you scared me." She laughs nervously.

"Sorry, didn't mean to do that."

She waves a hand in front of her. "It's okay. Are you alright? Do you need a minute to yourself?"

I look over my shoulder at my family on the back deck bickering and messing around playful with each other. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

She gives me a surprised look. "Me? Of course, what can I do for you?" she tucks her phone into her pocket, linking her hands together.

I buckle under the pressure of her stare. I can't believe I came down here with such confidence that I was just going to come out and tell her I know her secret. Maybe I should start with my own secret and use that to build to the whole mate thing.

"Isla?"

"Hmm?" I clasp my hands behind my back.

"You wanted to talk about something?"

I nod, walking towards the water to see if that could bring back the confidence that just suddenly vanished into thin air. "It's um...I just...I don't really know how to um go about this now..." I frown, trailing off.

"Is it about your brother and I? Because if it is I can promise you I only have good intentions with him. Trust me, I am completely in this one hundred percent no messing around."

I turn to face her, shaking my head. "See I'm inclined to not believe that, not after what I just learned recently. Very recently in fact."

She frowns. "I don't know what you've heard, Isla but I care about your brother. I'd even go as far as saying I love him."

She does? I'm tempted to let that settle my inquest but remind myself there is still that pesky little detail that she might find her mate any day now. That would crush my brother.

I shake my head. "That just won't do, and I think you know that."

She frowns. "Okay, I don't think I know what you're talking about anymore. Have I done something to upset you, Isla?"

"Upset me? No, not really. Well, I don't think its intentional."

Her frown deepens, her arms waving in front of her now as she steps closer to me. "Isla, please just tell me what you're getting at. I don't know what you're trying-"

I squeeze my eyes shut, taking a deep breath. "I know you're a mermaid."

The growing silence between us makes me open an eye to see if she's still in front of me. She shakes her head, laughing nervously. "What?"

I open both eyes and give her a serious look. "I know, Harley."

"Mermaids aren't real, just legends meant to scare children and sailors."

I snort. "That's weird, I've got some pretty solid evidence they do exist."

She stares at me, debating how serious I am. I'm tempted to string this out further to worry her but that's cruel. "What are you talking about?"

I sigh. "You're secrets safe with me, don't worry. I just have some follow up questions."

"What secret? Isla, I don't-"

"I'm a mermaid."

**