58. Marina

Marina wiped her hands on a dish towel and glanced at the new bin of dirty plates someone had rolled up to her scraping and sorting station by the sink.

I thought I was done, she muttered under her breath. Thats the last one, Dimitri said. After you are done with it, you can go.

Thanks. Marina let out a breath.

Her friends were being super nice about her and Larissa leaving early so they could get ready for the wedding tonight. Dimitri and Chester had volunteered to finish loading the dishwashers and put everything away on the racks once they were clean. The two had at least another hour of work before the kitchen switched gears and started preparations for the wedding tonight, but they were willing to do that for her and Larissa.

The only thing missing was the dress that Amanda had promised to bring, and Marina feared that she had forgotten about it and wasnt coming.

Poor Larissa would need to somehow squeeze herself into one of the dresses that Peter had borrowed for Marina from his relatives, and asking Amanda about getting into the village would have to wait for another opportunity.

She was almost done with the bin when she heard the doors to the kitchen swish open and then the clicking of high-heeled shoes, announcing the arrival of the female shed been waiting for.

Hello, Amanda. Marina turned around and glanced at the dress draped over the brunettes arm. I see that you found something for Larissa.

It was more difficult than I expected. Amanda lifted the hanger with the dress. What do you think? Will it fit her? She looked around the busy kitchen. Where is she?

Larissa went to get a shower. Marina admired the shimmery purple fabric but didnt reach for it. Its loose, so it should work. She reached for the dish towel to dry her hands. Thank you so much. She took the dress. I need to hang it somewhere safe until Im done.

Go, Mila said. You are done.

Thank you. She blew the head cook an air kiss and turned back to Amanda. Would you like to come to my cabin and see how the dress fits Larissa?

Amanda lifted her hand and glanced at her watch. I guess I have time for a short visit.

Thats awesome. Marina cast her an appreciative smile before heading out of the kitchen.

When they were out in the corridor, she headed for the stairs instead of taking the elevator. She needed a few minutes of Amandas time before they got to the cabin and the conversation shifted to Larissa and her dress.

I want to ask you for another favor if thats okay. She cast Amanda a sidelong glance.

Shoes? Amanda asked. Im afraid that you are on your own in that department.

Marina chuckled. No, not shoes. I would like to move to the village, and I was wondering who I should talk to about approving it.

Amanda canted her head. Does this have to do with Peter? Because if it does, he could make a request on your behalf.

Well, it does, and it doesnt. I like Peter a lot, and I hope we can be together for a little while, but I know that it wont work in the long term. Im not happy at Safe Haven at the moment, and I need a change of scenery. I was told that there are plenty of positions in the village I could fill.

As they exited the stairwell and headed down the long corridor of staff cabins, Amandas heels clacked and clicked on the hardwood flooring.

The best way to approach this is to ask either Eleanor or Emmett to arrange a transfer. They will ask for approval, and if its granted, you can pack your bags and accompany the Guardians who are heading home at the end of their tour of duty at Safe Haven. I think that they have two-week rotations there.

Marinas heart sank.

Shed hoped Amanda would intervene on her behalf, which would have guaranteed her requests approval, but shed miscalculated. The princess either didnt have the sway Marina thought she had, or she didnt want to get involved in the lives of the humans.

You should talk to Atzil, Amanda said as they stopped in front of Marinas door. Hes the guy who looks like an army drill sergeant and follows Ingrid around. The interior designer.

I know who Ingrid is, and I know the guy you are talking about. Peter said that hes looking for barmaids for his bar.

Amanda flashed her a brilliant smile. Thats the one. Talk to him, tell him that you are interested in the position, and ask if he could send a request to Eleanor to arrange a transfer for you.

Marina frowned. Doesnt your brother need to approve the request?

He does, but after Atzil and Eleanor ask on your behalf, its going to be rubber-stamped.

Marina wasnt sure what a rubber stamp meant, but she guessed it meant that Kian would approve her transfer without putting up any roadblocks.

What Amanda suggested made a lot of sense, but it would take time to go through the official channels, and Marina knew that she would miss Peter terribly in the meantime. It was better that way, though. He hadnt been overjoyed at her suggestion of moving in with him, and it seemed like he intended to end things between them or keep them casual.

In either case, she should be glad to have an option that didnt involve him.

Except, she wasnt. Her heart ached, and the rejection stung.

Plastering a smile on her face, she looked up at Amanda. Thank you for the great advice. Ill try to talk to Atzil about working at his bar during the wedding tonight.