A Mermaid Under The Mistletoe

by Jessica L. Elliott

  Jinx hesitated. The honest answer was a definite no. She’d seen people lose money and worse out of misguided generosity. “I guess not, but that doesn’t make her stupid.”

  “It doesn’t,” Butch agreed. “It just makes her naive. In my experience, naive people become victims of crime far more often than those of us who are a little more street-savvy.”

  She wanted to argue him, but her own experience told her he was right. Jinx sighed and looked forward at the stage.

  “Look, kid, I think Leilani is a great person, and my comment wasn’t meant as an insult. I just worry that she’s going to get hurt.”

  Jinx sighed. “I get it.”

  “How about another hot cocoa for the last half of the performance?”

  “Sounds good, thanks.”

  Butch stood. “I’ll be right back. You gonna be okay alone for a few minutes?”

  Jinx nodded. She fought down the instinctive urge to start checking the exits again as Butch disappeared into the crowd. She twisted sideways to let people pass her, mentally counting how many there were. Anxiety built in her chest as she waited for Butch to return. Every moment dragged as minutes felt like hours. The loud hum of thousands of voices talking over each other frayed her nerves. Jinx stood shakily and stretched, trying to block the noise from her mind.

  “Oh, pardon me,” a man said as he brushed past her.

  Jinx froze and frantically scanned the crowd for any sign of him, but with so many people milling around it was impossible to find or identify him. Instinct forced her to begin checking her pockets, even though she didn’t have any money with her.

  As she sat down once more, she reached into the front pocket of her hoodie. Terror washed over her as her hands closed over a piece of paper. She pulled it out, feeling the blood drain from her face. In hastily scrawled letters, the note read:

  You can’t stay away forever, Jinx. I know where you are and I’m watching you. You belong to me.

  GETTING THE BOUQUET for Leilani and the promised cocoa took longer than Butch expected. The lights were dimming as he made his way back to his seat. He fully expected Jinx to give him a hard time about being slow, not to mention having flowers with him, but she didn’t say a word. She took the cocoa and faced forward with a quiet, “Thanks.”

  He sat down and studied her. Though she was pale anyway, she seemed especially pale, clutching the paper cup like a lifeline. Butch noticed her hands trembling and a sheen of tears in her eyes. “You okay, kid?”

  Jinx nodded.

  She’s lying. “You sure?”

  She nodded again.

  “Look, subtle isn’t really the way I do things, so I’m just going to cut to the chase. What happened?”

  “Nothing,” she mumbled.

  “You and I both know that’s not true, so spit it out.”

  Jinx didn’t speak, but handed him a piece of paper. He looked at it and cursed. “Where did you get this?”

  “I found it in the pocket of my hoodie while you were out.”

  “Could it have been here when we arrived?”

  Jinx shook her head. “Someone pushed past me when I was stretching. I didn’t see who it was or where they went.”

  “Are you sure it was a man?”

  “Pretty sure. Please, don’t tell Leilani.”

  “Kid, you don’t have a choice. She needs to know.”

  “No, please. I don’t want her to worry.”

  “Jinx, I appreciate that you want to protect her, but the best thing to do is tell her.” Butch sighed as an obstinate look flashed across her face. A look he was sure he could mimic in similar situations. “Seriously, she can’t keep herself or you safe if she doesn’t know what’s going on.”

  “I guess.” Jinx muttered.

  The show starting again prevented Butch from speaking further. There would be no sleeping through this half. His mind whiled with a million different possibilities and situations. If someone wanted Jinx that badly, there had to be a reason. He glanced at her out the corner of his eye. He couldn’t imagine why. Unless she was a better thief than she let on at the rec center, Jinx wouldn’t be much of an asset to a crime ring. And while she could give information to the police, she had no reason to. She’d been on the streets long enough to know not to snitch. He sighed. He couldn’t think of any good reason for the person she was running from to want her back so badly. Unless, they didn’t and she was making the situation up. His eyes narrowed. Jinx might be the type to take advantage of a friendly stranger. He’d best keep an eye on her.

  When the show finished, Butch and Jinx walked down to the lobby where cast members were meeting with the attendees. Butch gulped as he came closer to Leilani. Her hair glistened with water and her brown eyes sparkled. The teal tail she wore glittered with rhinestones and iridescent sequins. She looked every bit the mermaid princess she portrayed with her seashell tiara and sparkling, scale makeup on her arms, face, and torso. Her laughter floated to him as she had her picture taken with a little girl. Feelings he’d long buried resurfaced as she caught his eye with a smile.

  Leilani beckoned them over as the little girl and her family walked away. “I’m so happy to see you! I hope you enjoyed the performance.”

  “It was great!” Jinx exclaimed. “I loved it.”

  “I’m so glad.” She turned again to Butch who felt as if someone had closed off his air supply.

  “I think this is the part where you give her the flowers, genius,” Jinx whispered loudly.

  Butch scowled at her. “I know that.” He held the bouquet of red roses out to Leilani. “You look great. I mean, you did great. It was a good show.”

  Leilani gave him a radiant smile. “Thank you. I’m rather partial to roses, though I’ve never seen one like this before.”

  Butch stared. “Don’t they have roses in Hawaii?”

  “Do they? I’m not sure,” Leilani replied. She winked.

  “Huh?”

  “Pretty sure she’s still in character, Butch,” Jinx said.

  “I haven’t introduced myself,” Leilani added. “I’m Talori from the ocean village of Coral Bay.”

  “You really get into this, don’t you?” Butch asked.

  “I think she’s supposed to,” Jinx giggled.

  “Right, well, Talori,” Butch said, “it was a pleasure meeting you.”

  “Hey, look Annie, that guy managed to get a mermaid under the mistletoe!” a teen called out.

  Butch and Leilani both looked up. A tiny spring of mistletoe dangled from a ball of greenery hanging above them. He watched the color rise in Leilani’s face as their eyes met again.

  “Well, go on, dummy, kiss her!” Annie taunted.

  He had never been one to back away from a challenge. But the idea of kissing someone he barely knew without knowing her feelings didn’t sit well with him, no matter how tempting a siren she appeared to be. Butch looked at Leilani. “What am I supposed to do now?”

  “They say it’s good luck to kiss a mermaid,” Leilani whispered.

  “Who says that?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, but it sounds good.”

  “Wimp isn’t going to do it,” a teen jeered.

  Watch me, Butch thought as he lowered his mouth to Leilani’s. Something sparked in him at the simple gesture. Catcalls filled his ears, but he ignored them as the kiss deepened. “I better have awesome luck now, Miss Talori,” he said huskily as he stepped back.

  A playful grin spread across her face as mirth and something else he didn’t want to identify twinkled in her eyes. “Well, you never know. You might have to try again if it isn’t.”

  Chapter 14

  Leilani couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the evening. Butch had stayed with Jinx for a while after the performance before finally saying he’d had enough crowds for one day. Since she wouldn’t be able to leave for at least another hour, Leilani asked Butch to take Jinx home. Butch agreed before nodding significantly between Leilani and Jinx. The younger woman glowered a
t him before telling Leilani again how much she’d enjoyed the show.

  Her mind wandered, trying to determine what the unspoken conversation had been about. She hoped the two had gotten along during their time together. Leilani knew it had been a long shot asking Butch to take Jinx, but she felt they needed time to get to know one another. Plus, she didn’t really know anyone else outside the cast.

  When she arrived at the complex, it was nearly midnight. To her surprise, Butch was standing outside her apartment. “You always going to be this late?” he grumbled.

  “On performance nights, yes,” she replied. “What are you doing here?”

  Butch pulled a paper from his pocket. “Keeping Jinx safe,” he said as he handed the paper to Leilani.

  Her hand went to her mouth after reading the note. “Why would someone want so badly to keep Jinx on the street?”

  “I’ve been asking myself the same question without any good solutions. At first, I thought maybe it was an elaborate hoax she’d set up.”

  “Why would you think that?” Leilani asked.

  “Look, my life hasn’t been rainbows and sunshine like yours. Cut me some slack,” Butch snapped. “Anyway, there was another note, along with an unpleasant gift when we arrived. Jinx was never here to set it up.”

  Leilani’s brows furrowed. “Unpleasant gift?”

  “Better you not ask,” Butch said seriously. “I called the police, but to be honest, there’s not a whole lot they can do.”

  “So you’ve been sitting out here in the cold waiting for me to come home?”

  Butch nodded. “Jinx didn’t want me to stay at all. But I couldn’t in good conscience leave her unprotected. And wipe that smirk off your face. I’m just being neighborly.”

  “Of course you are,” Leilani replied, still smiling. “Very neighborly.”

  “By the way,” he continued, his face going redder, “I’m sorry about the kiss earlier.”

  Leilani tilted her head. “Why should you be? I thought I gave a pretty clear invitation.”

  “You did, but I meant it to just be a quick, simple kiss.” His eyes fell as he scuffed the toes of his shoes on the ground. “I got carried away in the moment.”

  She smiled. “I’m not upset, Butch. That was probably one of my most enjoyable fan moments ever.”

  He glanced back up at her, and Leilani fought not to laugh. He almost looked like a puppy who’d been told no as he said, “Just one of?”

  “Seeing a child’s eyes light up because they get to spend time with a real, live mermaid is hard to beat.” She grinned. “Do you want to come in for a minute?”

  “No thanks. I need to get some sleep. If you need anything, holler.”

  “I will. Thanks for taking care of Jinx tonight. I really appreciate it.”

  “Just don’t expect me to go to your show every night.”

  Leilani laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  There was silence for a while. Finally, Butch leaned over to kiss Leilani’s cheek. Warmth spread through her at the tender expression. “Good night, Talori,” he said, his voice low and soft.

  She grinned. “Butch, I’m not on stage right now. You don’t have to call me by my stage name any longer.”

  He brushed her cheek gently. “I know. But somehow the name just fits you so nicely.”

  Leilani smiled. “I’m glad you like it. I’m rather partial to it myself.”

  “Good night,” he said, and walked away to his apartment.

  Leilani unlocked her door and walked inside. She could hear sniffling from Jinx’s room. She knocked on the door. “Hey, are you going to be okay?” she asked quietly as she came in.

  “I would have been if Butch had just gone home,” Jinx grumbled, swiping tears from her cheeks.

  “What do you mean?” Leilani asked.

  Jinx hugged her pillow closer. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes it does,” Leilani insisted. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No, nothing like that. He just wouldn’t quit watching the door.”

  “What?”

  “He kept standing watch outside the door like somehow that’s supposed to scare Clint away. Honestly, did he really think that would work?”

  Leilani nodded. “I see. I think he was trying to keep you safe, and perhaps he didn’t do it the best way, but he is genuinely trying to help.”

  “I should never have come here,” Jinx sobbed. “As nice as it was for you to give me a chance, I can’t take this. The pressure, the anxiety, all of it is too much. It feels like a physical weight being pushed down over me.” She sniffled. “Maybe there’s no such thing as second chances.”

  “There are always second chances,” Leilani said. “Look, I know you’re scared and upset, but you can’t go back to where you were. That’s no life for you, or anyone.”

  “But I can’t stay here either. I’m endangering you, and that’s not fair.”

  Leilani leaned forward and put her hand gently on Jinx’s shoulder. “You can. I’m not afraid, and I don’t for one second regret bringing you here. Please, Jinx, give yourself a chance.”

  The young woman sighed and looked away. “I’ll try.”

  “Things will work out, I’m sure of it,” Leilani said. “You’ll see.”

  Jinx shrugged. “Whatever.”

  Sensing her friend’s need to be alone, Leilani quietly said, “I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll let you get some rest. Morning will come far too early. Do you want me to take you to work tomorrow?”

  “No, I’ll walk,” Jinx replied, still looking out the window.

  “Okay then. Good night.” Leilani walked out of the room and shut the door behind herself. When she arrived at her own room, she flopped onto her bed, physically and emotionally exhausted. Her heart yo-yoed back and forth between hurting for Jinx’s troubles, and swelling at the memory of Butch’s kiss. She blushed. Her grandmother would certainly have lectured her for not only allowing him to kiss her, but encouraging him. She’d never been so forward in all her life. But she also couldn’t bring herself to feel the least bit remorseful. Something magical had happened and curiosity made her wonder what might happen if she kissed him again.

  She pushed her thoughts aside, knowing that if Butch had his way, that would probably never happen again. Allowing her mind to relax and wander, Leilani imagined perfect sandy beaches, and swimming through the ocean with her teal mermaid tail glistening in the sun. She dreamed of swimming from one small island to the next, her sun kissed by the sun and waves as she laughed. A passing boat slowed to see her, and she gave them her best princess wave. Time slowed down as a man on the boat beckoned to her, his green eyes sparkling and a smile dancing on his lips. “Butch!” she called, swimming with all her might toward the boat. Just as she’d almost reached it, she awoke suddenly.

  Leilani sat slowly up and looked around herself. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She stood and walked to the window, moving the curtain just enough to peek outside. Nothing. She sighed as she moved back to her bed. Whatever was going on in the real world, disappointment clung to her that her imaginary world had been so abruptly stolen. A grin tugged at her lips as the details of the dream clung to her memory. Butch would look good in a jaunty sailor outfit.

  Chapter 15

  Over the next few days, Butch kept a close watch over Leilani’s apartment when she was away. The idea of someone targeting her for taking Jinx in didn’t sit well with him. It must have bothered Jinx too because he saw her often hesitate at Leilani’s door. He recognized her stance and would come into view to talk with her. Despite himself, he wanted the young woman to be safe, to have a chance to really start fresh. But he also knew it would be hard for her to do if she stayed where she was.

  Seeing Leilani return late one evening, Butch stepped out of his apartment.

  “You again, huh?” she asked.

  Butch scowled. “Please, I get enough of that from others.”

/>   “Officer Good?”

  “Among other people. Look, until something convinces me that you’re not in danger, you’re going to have to deal with me hanging around.”

  Leilani sighed. “I wouldn’t mind you hanging around if you weren’t skulking in shadows.”

  “I don’t skulk.”

  “You do actually, and you need to stop,” she retorted. “What’s going to happen if someone else happens by and you panic? Trouble, that’s what. Now, why are you waiting for me tonight?”

  Butch took a deep breath. “I’m worried about you, and Jinx. I think you should leave.”

  “Leave?”

  “Yes.”

  Leilani seemed amused by the suggestion. “Just where would you propose I go? Jinx is very low income and I’m an artist. I don’t think I need to explain what that means about my own income. This is the cheapest complex that is also centrally located with the venues I’m performing at. Where do you think we could go where we would be safer?”

  “Go home.”

  “Believe me, I’d love to. But I’m under contract here. I can’t leave until the show is done. It won’t matter how many times I tell Jinx my family is great, she’s not going to fly to Hawaii by herself. So again, where should we go?”

  Butch shuffled his feet. “I don’t know. I guess I hadn’t thought much of it. I just don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

  Leilani smiled. “Knew you were a teddy bear.”

  “The heck I am,” he growled, watching his language since a lady was present.

  “You can deny it all you want, but I won’t believe it,” Leilani replied with a giggle.

  “Maybe not, but I’m sticking to my story.” He looked at her for a long moment. Her sparkling makeup glinted in the harsh lights outside the complex. “When’s your next evening off?”

  “Me? Tomorrow night.”

  “How about I treat you to dinner out?”

  Leilani hesitated. “That sounds great, but I wouldn’t want to leave Jinx on her own. She’s been more withdrawn than normal these last couple days.”