Page 1 (1/2)
Chapter One
Daize
“I bet your favorite princess growing up was Ariel, huh?”
Turning toward the lanky security guard with the drooping blondfor his slender, oval-shaped face, Daize fought the urge to roll her eyes Since she’d joined the team at the Newport Aquarium, he’d circled her like a shark who smelled blood in the water Never mind the fact she thwarted his advances at every turn She almost felt bad for the persistent manalmost The Little Mermaid had in fact been her favorite princess, but the aquatic rebel hadn’t been the inspiration behind her career choice
It was a common misconception she’d stumbled into her career because she liked dolphins or wanted to be a et the hard work necessary to earn her four-year degree Wo strides in the workplace, but sexism continued to persist
“You got ie” Too tired to put hiht roll off her like water off a duck’s back
His grin peeled thin lips back froured as ist Girls always try to immolate their favorite characters, don’t they? I can re to be Belle, and she went on to be a librarian”
Daize nodded her head, offering a fake smile
“Your last name is odd Where did you say you were from?”
I didn’t “Recently, San Diego, but originally, Hawaii” The only child of legendary surfer, Kahle, and his self-proclaimed mermaid wife, she was practically born in the ocean Her earliest memories included the smell of the sea and the feel of the warreenery of her native home on Oahu was etched into her mind and heart forever While some looked up to the stars and dreamed, she pondered on the depths beneath the aquamarine surface of the waves
“Well, no wonder you becaist I hear they have the most beautiful beaches in the world”
“I ree with that stateenuine as the conversation shifted to a subject she was passionate about
The spark ignited when she played in tide pools as a toddler matured into a full-blown obsession with the bodies of waters scientists still knew so little about Four years and a Bachelor’s in Marine Biology later, she was no less hungry for knowledge on her favorite topic That love had guided her to this town across the country froo, California
“Any wild plans this evening?” Augie stepped closer
“If you count a hot date with my Roku as adventurous, then yes,” Daize said dryly She rolled her neck and checked her watch A day full of collecting readings on her fish friends, as well as s, had her feet barking and her heart full Every day sheon her and her tea and exhausting
“You’ve been here for over a le”
When she’d been offered the job as head Aquarist at the Newport Aquarium, it was an opportunity she couldn’t turn down So, she’d packed her things, found a replacement to take over her lease in her apartray days, with frigid rain and strong winds continued, she’d questioned her decision The scent of the ocean and the feel of the sun on her skin were becoun to carve out an empty pocket inside of her
“This job is a deotten out and about much yet”
“Well, I could always help you with that”
She pushed down the bile that threatened to flood her ed and took a step back before he could continue the conversation “I’m beat, and I still have to turn in paperwork for toie” She extracted herself with the precision of a world-renowned surgeon, spun on her heels, and briskly walked down the tunnel The watery bridge above her head was one of her favorite features With the tank on both sides, above and below, you were fully immersed in the watery environment
She adraceful ballet performed by the leopard shark The black ovals and sray skin as it cut through the water sea with the black tip reed shark with its splotch of black followed by white that bled down to gray on the dorsal fin Each was a work of art, and ths that they never allowed to exceed more than a few feet
In order to provide adequate space for roah food, they frequently monitored the size of each animal The balance was carefully kept in the hts off and everyone except the handful of security guards out of the building, it was allow She trailed her fingers over the cool glass and lingered in the Cor
al Reef section Brightly colored Tang fish darted about the display Dark blue “Dory” fish with yellow tails, black oval-shaped bodies with orange e spots, contrasted with canary yellow and powder blue fish with electric yellow dorsal and pectoral fins A beautiful turquoise blue spotted unicorn fish with a long snout swalass to say hello
A cream and brown spotted honeyco in the coarse material hat mimicked coral
“Nice of you to say hi, Flotsam Where’s your buddy Jestom?” He sucked back into his hidey-hole, and she forced her feet to propel her forward When the aniave them names It made her job more personal and helped co her to her knees Two months down, ten more until she made a choice to renew her contract or leave