"Wow. Love this place. It used to be a joint called The Crab Trap. Went downhill, though, when some out-of-town investorsbought it. It became known around town as The Crap Trap, and then it turned into the ice bar. That didn't do so well, either. Too frou-frou. People who come to Cypress Grove want laid-back and quirky. Glad you're here now. This'll do so well. You buy the place?"
I shake my head. "Renting."
"You're living in town, I hope. Makes it a lot easier to connect with people."
"I am. I've got a bungalow downtown a few blocks from here." Well, that was more information than I'd intended to tell him.
Nodding, he looks around, his eyes landing on the construction project behind the bar.
"What's that about?" He points to several two-by-fours that look haphazardly nailed together, although they're anything but.
"Oh! That's the focal point of the whole place. The mermaid tank. It'll be filled with water, of course. We'll lower the lights and the tank will give off a blue glow. It's going to be amazing. Work just began this week, so it doesn't look like much of anything at the moment. It's going to take a while to come together. See, there will be three large windows." I point with a pen. "One, two, three. People can watch the mermaids swim."
His eyes grow wide. "Whoa. So that's what you were talking about at the Chamber meeting. Will there be live fish? Like a real aquarium, like in Weeki Wachee? And are you personally going to swim? I kind of thought you were joking."
Tilting my head, I stare at the skeleton of the tank. "Not joking. I don't think so, on the fish. Weeki Wachee is a natural spring so it's way different. I'd considered the fish, but that would be one more thing to manage. It's going to be enough to coordinate the mermaid shows and serve drinks and food."
"It's an ambitious project, I'll give you that. You ever run a bar before?"
Hmm. Is he questioning my ability? For the first time, I notice how I'm on the defensive, probably because Brent always shot down my ideas and opinions. It's funny how time and space away from a bad situation gives you a new perspective.
"No, but I grew up in a restaurant. My dad owned a popular one in Weeki Wachee. I was a waitress there before I became a mermaid at the park."
"Nice. So you have a familiarity with the hospitality industry. Your dad coming to help you out here?"
I shake my head. "He passed several years ago."
Remy raises his chin. "Sorry."
"Don't be. It's in the past." It's part of my previous existence, which I don't want to discuss, so I turn to my stack of papers and notebooks. "Here, let me show you the blueprints for the place."
Sifting through my books, files, and envelopes, I try to ignore Remy's delicious-smelling cologne that's wafting in my direction. Tonight, his scent is a little like salted caramel.
"Here are the plans." I open a red folder and take out a piece of paper. "And here's how the mermaids will access the tank from a platform in the back. There's a changing room, too, alongside the storage area. It's quite a big place."
He leans in, his caramel scent overpowering me. My stomach rumbles.
"I thought you were bringing pizza." I poke his shoulder with my pen.
Without looking at me, he grins, then picks up the paper and studies it. "It'll be delivered in a half hour. Buddy of mine owns the pizza place. This is really cool. Really different. I think it's going to do real well here."
"Thanks." I lick my lips.
He sets the paper down and turns to me. His eyes go to my chest.
"Oh for fox sake?" He points at the words on my T-shirt.
I grin. "I thought it was cute."
He nods. I nod. Uh-oh. There's that electricity crackling between us.
"Um, I guess I owe you an apology for ghosting you the other day," I say softly.
He blinks but doesn't say anything.
"I was overwhelmed. I haven't ever done that, and I'm new here in town. I got out of a relationship a while back and I'm not looking for anything serious. Or permanent." Why am I so nervous around him? I inhale a huge breath.
"You mentioned that. And you know, I don't do relationships either."