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The employees were all understandably guarded and reserved. The only person who hadn’t held back when talking to him was Jayna. Maybe he should find out as much from her as he could while she still believed he was a mere backstage technician.
Sid packed the merbreather away and turned his attention to the tail hanging on the hooks near the water. He started with the glittering turquoise silicone tail and then moved on to the bionic exomuscle. He had read about the technology while researching the park and was curious to see it first-hand.
He lifted the plain dark-gray mass and was surprised at just how heavy it was. It was also warm to the touch and had a texture that reminded him of dolphin skin. He quickly finished the maintenance on the tail and packed it away just as the inner door of the changing room opened.
Sid had a decision to make. He needed to tell Jayna who he was, but he didn’t need to tell her right away. He had a golden opportunity to gain some valuable insights into the park and its employees before correcting her misperceptions about him.
Jayna emerged from the changing room, and Sid caught his breath. She had been beautiful when playing the role of Mermaid Aaramere in the show and alluring when he’d helped her out of her merbreather. But dressed in a simple fitted button down top and knee-length shorts, with her long red hair pulled back and the heavy performance makeup gone, she possessed a beauty that Sid found mesmerizing.
He had met more than his share of attractive women, but there was something about Jayna that stirred dangerous feelings in him—feelings best left unexplored. Don’t even think about it, Hayes. Your reputation score still hasn’t recovered from the Crystal debacle.
Sid attempted to regain his composure, but he could tell by the grin that spread across Jayna’s face that he hadn’t been quick enough. He blushed, and her grin grew even wider.
“You look nice,” he said, trying to recover as best he could.
“Thank you,” she replied. Then she turned to her gear and said, “Let’s see how well you did.”
Jayna gave both her tail and merbreather a thorough examination, and Sid was surprised at how anxious he was for her assessment.
But at last, she gave a satisfied nod. “Not bad. I think you’ll do well here.”
Her approval sent a surge of pride through him. “Thanks.”
“We’d better get going,” she said, and then motioned towards the exit.
As they walked towards the reception grotto, he said, “Can I ask you something?”
Jayna stiffened. “Sure. But before you do, you need to know I already have a boyfriend.”
Your boyfriend is a lucky man, he thought. The stab of disappointment Sid felt surprised him. He would have to be extremely careful around this woman.
“No, that’s not what I was going to ask.”
“What were you going to ask, then?”
“I was wondering what it’s like working here as a mermaid?”
Even in the darkness, there was no mistaking the skepticism on her face. “Why? Are you thinking about joining the merformers?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
Her skepticism remained as she gave him an appraising look. “You might be able to pull it off. If you can swim and sing.”
“Don’t forget splashing,” he added. “Splashing is important too, right?”
She grinned sheepishly, and Sid worried the comment might have given him away.
“Yes, splashing is important.” She was quiet for several steps before speaking in a soft voice. “Do you really want to know what it’s like?”
Sid felt a tingle of excitement as he realized she was about to open up to him. “I do.”
Jayna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It used to be the best job in the world. I mean, we are professional mermaids, and it doesn’t get more magical than that. Performing in the show is incredible, and Swim with the Mermaids events are the best. The kids have a great time, and I absolutely love sharing the mer-magic with them.”
“That sounds amazing. But you said it used to be the best job. What happened?”
Jayna hesitated, as if deciding whether to confide in him. After a few moments, she continued. “Three years ago, Michael Stirling, the park’s owner, passed away. His son Carter had never shown any interest in the business, so we were all surprised when he took over as general manager. But unfortunately, he didn’t have a passion for the business or the customers or the mers. He saw an opportunity to squeeze as much money out of it as he could, and things went downhill fast.”
Sid knew all about Carter and his mismanagement of the park, but he hoped to learn more about how it affected the park’s employees. “Ouch. What kind of things did he do?”
