Page 6 of Triton

I tilted my head to the side. I’d met plenty of disabled vets at the Paralympics. I’d always found their stories so inspiring, and their successes seemed to evoke more emotion in them than I had seen in the competitors in my own events. “I’d love to meet him. He sounds like a greatguy.”

“He is. I’m lucky.” Her face glowed when she talked about him—clearly, she was head over heels in love with the guy. I’d never been in love or even had a serious boyfriend. No time for romance since I had devoted my life to my sport. My personal life had consisted of drunken celebratory hookups after competitions. “Hey, we’re having a party next week if you want tocome.”

I pursed my lips. I wasn’t much of a party girl—I always felt so awkward with groups of people I didn’t know. But Isa seemed so nice, so I was willing to try to attempt to come out of my shell. “I’d love that. You’re the only person I know in San Diego.”

“Oh. Well, I’m happy to show you around. Let start by giving you a tour of the resort.”

The sight of the beautiful hotel wowed me. Like me, the Del was a redhead, and she was known as The Grand Lady of the Sea. Her glorious Victorian architecture was world famous. The crimson steeply pitched roof contrasted with the white wooden shingles. Set on the backdrop of one of the best beaches in the world, the Del was simply breathtaking.

Isa led me down the steps to the pool which overlooked the beach bordering the Naval Special Warfare base. My eyes scanned the miles of sand, towering palm trees, brick beach paths, and the ocean break, hoping to glimpse some BUD/S recruits training, but I was out of luck. I made a silent wish to see some SEALs today. I figured if I spent some time studying their training regiment, it would give me an advantage. Instead, my view consisted of classy tourists with wide brimmed hats, dark sunglasses, and couture swimwear. I definitely didn’t fit inhere.

Isa caught my gaze, forcing me to focus. “So, mermaid fitness is taught every Friday and Saturday at eight a.m., but the guests arrive at seven thirty. Basically, it’s water aerobics and Pilates with tails and pool noodles. I used to teach Aqua Zumba, so it’s a bit like that, but we can’t use our legs obviously. Have you swum with a tail before?”

“I did an exhibition years ago with a tail, and sometimes my coach would bind my legs to focus on my arm movements.”

“Awesome. Let’s hop in, and I’ll go through the routine.” Isa flashed a smile and then changed out of her sweat clothes into a cute bikini, revealing her enviable swimsuit body—tan skin, huge breasts, wide hips, round booty, and a flat tummy. Sure, I was in shape, but my physique was more athletic and less bombshell. I was as pale as the San Francisco fog, had a flat chest, narrow hips, a muscular bottom, and a six-pack. As much as I had always tried to view my body as a tool to my craft and not as eye-candy, I couldn’t help but be jealous of her curves. I’d love to say that I didn’t care if men found me attractive or not, but that would be a lie. After years of being teased as the freckled-faced sporty redhead, I’d taken myself out of the dating game to focus on my career.

I slipped off my own pants, kept my solid black one-piece swimsuit on, stepped into the tail and pulled it up over my waist. Then I dove deep into the pool. The tight fabric constricted my legs which felt odd, but I knew I’d adjust. I could hold my breath for up to three minutes, so I glided around underwater, doing butterfly kicks. Then I hoisted my torso above the water and did a bit of my Olympic routine, not to show off, but just because I missed performing.

When I finished, Isa was clapping. “Wow, you are amazing! I could watch you all day. Maybe you could do a show at the end of class for our guests?”

“I’d love that.” This would be the first summer of my life that I wouldn’t be training in the pool eight hours a day. The water was my home and being paid to be a mermaid was the perfect summerjob.

“Ok. We check in the guests at quarter ‘til eight. Then we issue them each a tail, a pool noodle and a towel. Once the guests put on their tails, they swim around the pool. This is much harder than it seems and the fins make big splashes, so everyone gets drenched.” She splashed her own tail, creating a hugewave.

I splashed her back. “I can’t wait. It sounds so muchfun.”

“It is. Everyone loves it. We then stand in a line and do arm exercises before we get everyone out of the pool to do ab work. We keep the music blasting to distract the students from the hard work they are doing.”

I laughed. “Good strategy.”

She smiled. “Then we have free swim. Of course, most of the guests use this time to take selfies or post Instagram videos. I’m sure they will want to pose with you, too. So that’s about it. Do you have any questions?”

Yes. Do you know what time the SEALs train on the beach?“No. But I’m sure some will come up tomorrow.”

“Cool.” She squinted at the sun. “Just let me know. You will be great. Can you show me some synchro moves?”

“Sure.”

We took off our tails, and I showed her some underwater split techniques. When we came up for air, I saw two bearded, ripped men in the distance run toward us dressed in cammies and tight shirts. But they weren’t just any men . . . I could tell a mile away they were SEALs, storming up the beach. My wish had cometrue!

Isa rolled her eyes. “Ignore them. They run by here every day since they train just down the beach. Occasionally they will come over at the end of class and make the guests swoon.”

Swooning activated.My mouth became dry. I was minutes from seeing my first SEAL in the flesh, but I wasn’t another frog hog. I wanted to be just likethem.

A drop dead gorgeous man with jet black hair which skimmed his forehead, electric blue eyes, and arms decorated with tattoos beelined straight towards us. His equally hot blond-haired buddy with a cocky grin stood beside him. The blonde looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’d seenhim.

I melted into the water.

“Hey, Isa. Who’s your new friend?” Sexy dark-haired SEAL yelled out as he knelt next to the pool. His voice was deep and low and virile.

“This is our newest instructor. Aria—”

But before Isa could introduce me, the SEAL interrupted her, his eyes widening. “Clements. You’re Aria Clements—America’s Little Mermaid. The Olympic gold medalist. I’d recognize you anywhere.”

He knew who I was? Most people didn’t recognize me, but between my red hair and the glimpse of the routine he probably saw, I could get how someone could put it together. “Yup. That’s me. What’s yourname?”

“Erik.”