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"Talk you out of what exactly? Having a good time? Getting laid?"
"It's more serious than a fling. I have to commit, or condemn him to going back into that amulet."
"I don't think that's the choice here."
"You don't? Were you not listening when I told that part of the story?"
"Well," she took a bite of something and talked around it, "I was kinda distracted by the thought of you waking up without underwear on but no, I did hear you. And here's the thing, dear friend of mine. I haven't heard you this happy, this cheerful in maybe ever."
"Cheerful? I'm not cheerful, I'm panicked, confused and maybe a little horny for what's in his cock pocket."
"Oh my god, I have to say, the cock pocket is such an amazing detail. If we had time I would beg you to just send me a picture of it so I could compare it to some images I found on a vase recently. Did you know that there's a temple of Poseidon that the Archive has been excavating for like fifty years now? That's where I found what I think are images of the cock pocket."
"Daphne, focus. Ticking clock, horny Sea King, life altering decision."
"Oh, yeah, sorry. But seriously, if you could ask him if it would be okay, that would be a huge help."
"Yeah sure, I'll see what I can do."
There was no way in hell I was going to ask Garrick if I could take a quick picture of his cock pocket. There were limits to what I was willing to do in the name of research.
"Where were we?" Daphne took another bite of something. "Oh yeah, you're cheerful."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Tell me honestly, when you were relaying that story, how much of it were you smiling through?"
I started to say none but that was a big fat lie.
"Most of it," I whispered.
"Your aunt was right. I've watched you try so hard all these years to fit in, to find your way. And with every promotion, you were happy but you weren't happy, not like you should've been. Watching you was like seeing someone who was living with one foot here and one somewhere else but I don't think you ever knew where that was."
Tears burned my eyes as the sea air brushed against my hair and cooled my face. The scent was so comforting, the sound of the waves not just familiar, but soothing. I had always thought my affinity for the seaside town was because there were such good memories here. But now I wondered if it was because a part of me was at home near the ocean.
"What if this is it?" Daphne asked, her voice soft. "What if this is the thing you've been chasing to fill whatever hole has been inside of you?"
"And what if I'm wrong?" I sniffled. "I was wrong about asshole."
"Let me ask you this, did you ever feel at ease with him, as safe as you did today with Garrick?"
I knew the answer deep down but I still gave it thought.
Drunken spell casting aside, I'd been myself right from the start, embarrassing clothing choices and all. I'd gotten a little shy in the bathroom, but he'd helped me get past that right quick with that wicked tongue of his. And obviously my body turned him on because the guy had a hard-on all morning. I hadn't put on a mask or censored myself at all. In fact, the thought to do so really didn't occur to me until I realized that I hadn't watched what I said.
And all that time, the only thing that had ever bothered Garrick was any sign of pain, or my words of self-recrimination.
"I guess," I said slowly, "the answer would be no. I've been more myself with Garrick today than I ever was with him."
"I know this is fast, and that you're grieving so it's understandable that you're not wanting to trust your gut right now. But I've never known you to be reckless, and every time you followed your instincts, I've seen you shine."
"This isn't volunteering for a research mission or trying a new mixed drink during happy hour. This is completely life altering."
"And what about your life would you want to hang onto? Your job? You're bored and you know it. Your love life?"
I snorted.
"What love life?"
