15. Talon

"Iguess I don't have to worry about putting my two weeks' notice in at the Marine Research and Rescue center now." I walk into the convenience store after coming off a charter to Kelsey talking to my mom. She's been having trouble at her nine-to-five job, hating life, and has been looking at switching facilities. The problem with that scenario is the distance. They're a hell of a lot further away. I suggested she still apply, see what they had to offer, and go from there. Kels said absolutely not. Cedar Key is home for both of us and to keep my mouth shut. Apparently, she was already fully aware of what I would say next.

"Oh no, what happened?" Mom asks. Neither of them is aware I'm here. In the middle of the day, we're pretty empty on a weekday. When Kelsey texted me and asked to meet at the marina, I instantly called her. My day wasn't booked with charters, and no way I'd be waiting the ten or so minutes it'd take her to get here.

"Lack of funding, being the youngest man on the totem pole. Honestly, it's a blessing in disguise. Still, I'm going to have to find another job, and I refuse to move. Your son is adamant that I do whatever it takes to chase my dreams. Well, my dreams are here in Cedar Key, with him. I'm not willing for us to move, and yes, he tried to offer. But our future will begin and end here." Kelsey's tone goes an octave higher. She means business, foot out to the side, hip cocked, and her hands are in the air.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. I can put you on the schedule more to help. Whatever you need, you have it. I'd keep you here forever if I could." Mom taps at her chin with the tips of her fingers, a sure sign she's cooking up something in that brain of hers. "You could also put a display case up. You've been painting for so long, I bet you'd sell out within the first week. The tourists love to buy from locally-owned businesses; they'd do the same for artists." Hmm, seems my siren has been keeping a secret from me. I'd say it's about time to make my presence known and to take this conversation to the office.

"I've been kicking around the idea of opening an online store, too, except they take fifteen percent if you do one of those boutique-styles websites, or I'd need to hire a website designer and pay out of pocket. Between you and my friend Karol, the idea is there and simmering, a lot." Kelsey doesn't let on what she's talking about, but if my woman needs help, she'll get it.

"Start here, get a little bit of buildup. There's no fee here. Maybe talk to that son of mine, though. I'm beginning to think he doesn't know the half of what you're capable of." Mom holds Kelsey's shoulders for a moment, then brings her in for a hug before she sets off to sit behind the counter at the cash register.

"Talon." Kels keeps her back to me. I saw the deep inhale and exhale she took, relaxing for a moment. There's no reason for my woman to take the weight of the world on her shoulders when I can help carry the burden.

"Yeah, siren, I'm here." I wrap my arms around her chest, much like we do every morning on the dock. The back of her head drops, landing on my chest. I'm going to need to move this to the office and quick. What I've got to say isn't going to be said in front of my mom the first time.

"I take it you heard all of that?" She tips her head to side, eyes meeting mine.

"Yep." This time, it's me looking over my shoulder at my mom. "You good for a while?"

"Get out of here with that talk. You act like Grandad isn't right outside the doors, ready to whoop someone's ass if you're not around." She sounds exasperated. Mom is also the one who would slap me upside the head had I not asked.

"I hear ya." We share a smile while Kels moves to my side. I keep my arm around her shoulder, and we start our walk to the office together.

"This can wait. You don't have to baby me." I shake my head. The last thing I'm going to do is baby her when what she really needs is to hear exactly what she means to me.

"Siren." A handful of steps later, we"re in the office, my foot catches the door, and it closes.

"Really, Talon. I'm okay. Money will be tight, but I'm frugal, and I can pick up extra hours here and there. Your mom and my friend are right. I have a knack for painting oyster shells. Everyone loves them, or at least that's what they say, and Grandpa Scott puts the bigger ones aside for me. Those I'd like to try and use as spoon rests or bigger trinkets." She is pacing back and forth in front of me. I let her while she keeps at it.

"Take a breath, Kels. I'm not worried about a job. That's the least of my concerns. I'm not with you for your work ethic. Fuck that. You want to work at Captain T's right alongside me, game on. You want to paint oyster shells and make a living on that, I'm more than happy for you. I've given you the truth. Find a job wherever you want, and I'll follow. It's clear to me that we've gone hot and heavy, from zero to sixty miles per hour, and it's time I lay shit on the line." I cup her neck, thumbs sweeping over her pretty skin.

"Talon, we are not moving. I've got money. I'm a worry wart, that's all. I'm not used to having two full-time jobs," Kelsey interrupts.

"I'm going to give this to you straight. I love you, siren. You, not what you bring to the table. I'd love nothing more than for your head to be on my pillow every fucking night, your shit meshed with mine instead of you going home every morning. And soon, you're going to have my name. I love you." I lick my lips, ready to kiss her until she's trembling with need.

"God, Talon. I love you, too, so much that I'm worried I'll wake up one day and this will all be a dream."

"Oh, it is, Kels. We're just two lucky people to have found our dream together." This time, I don't let her respond. Instead, my head dips, and I kiss her, long, hard, and deep. By the time we leave this office, it's going to be to head to my place, where I can show her exactly how much I love my siren.