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“What?”
“I know those two pirates. One is my best friend’s boyfriend and the other is her brother.”
She gasps. “Wow.”
I ruffle her hair. “Don’t be impressed. Smuggler’s Hideaway is a small place. Soon enough you’ll know everyone on the island who’s around your age.”
She frowns. “I hope they’re not all mean.”
“Mean? Who’s being mean to you?”
She rolls her eyes. “You sound like Dad. What did she do, Nat? You should report her, Nat.” She mimics Lucas’ deep voice.
“I don’t believe in reporting bullies. I believe in getting even.”
Her eyes widen. “Getting even? How do you get even?”
“Natalia, Natalia, Natalia. Have you not been introduced to the wonderful world of pranks yet?”
Her nose wrinkles. “Pranks are bad.”
I tweak her nose. “You sound like your dad.”
She shrugs. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I just want Sheila to be nice to me.”
“Sheila? Is Sheila here today?” Natalia may think pranks are bad, but I don’t. “A bee in Sheila’s brownie will teach her.” Not a real bee. A fake bee will do the trick.
Natalia giggles. “You’re silly.”
She thinks I’m joking. I’m not. I will not allow anyone to be bullied. Bullies are the worst.
“Next!” Sloane yells.
“Stuck working today?” I ask when I reach the counter.
“The tips more than make up for working during a festival.” She nods to the overflowing tip jar. “What can I get you?”
“Four pints of Mermaid Moonshine and…” I glance down at Natalia. “What do you want?”
“Can I have moonshine?”
“Not yet. A few more years.” Natalia is twelve.
She has more than a few years before she can legally drink. Although, the drinking age isn’t strictly enforced on the island in the winter months when the cold wind is whipping off the Atlantic and the ocean is too cold to swim in.
“A lemonade, please.”
Once I’ve paid, I hand Natalia her drink before gathering the four pints.
“I can help.”
“Your dad will kill me dead if I let you help carry alcohol.”
She giggles. “Kill me and dead are the same thing.”
“Let me rephrase. Your dad will kill me and then resuscitate me so he can kill me again if I let you carry any alcohol.”
“You don’t believe in zombies, do you?”
