their biceps, and Bob grimaced but led them up more stairs to the crew’s quarters. They passed through a noisy break room where workers played foosball and crunched popcorn.
Everyone abruptly fell silent and watched them.
Creepy.
They passed right by the snacks. Popcorn was safe, but what was in the bowl of mixed-texture snacks next to it?
She put a hand over her mouth. Nothing made her nose or mouth tickle. Maybe the saltwater was still keeping her too stuffed up. Or maybe…
No. She wasn’t cured. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have reacted to the stew on the boat. Right?
They continued into another hall, but it remained eerily quiet. Gailen and the other warriors padded barefoot behind her. Bob opened a door to reveal two bunks stacked with bedding and folded towels.
Starr opened the adjoining door. It was a tiny bathroom with a shower. “Just two bunks?”
“And you’re lucky you’ve got that. I cleared this out for new employees coming in on the supply ship. Which of you are actually working here?”
“Just me,” Starr said.
Gailen stopped in the middle of the room, his brows pulled down.
“And him,” she said.
“Good. When you’re on the platform, you wear an exposure suit. It’s easier to see you in the water, and it’ll keep you from dying right away. Now they”—he jerked his head at the mermen—“clearly don’t need it. But you, I’ve got to waste my time finding your size.”
“I don’t need it either.”
He blinked and then frowned deeper. “Every human needs one.”
“Ryerson didn’t.”
“I said ‘human.’ He’s upper management.”
She snorted.
He crossed his arms. “You didn’t come in on a boat, did you?”
She leveled her gaze on him. “Is it going to be a problem?”
He glanced out of the corners of his eyes at the warriors and uncrossed his arms. “Fine. Saves me searching. Our meals are at set hours. Tell me about these allergies. Are you one of those who says she’s allergic to gluten while eating a doughnut?”
“I travel with medically prescribed EpiPens.”
“And where are they?”
“I used them all on the boat.”
He grimaced. “You’re going to die.”
Gailen bristled. “Do not threaten Starr.”
“Look, fish-man, I’ve got one job on this platform, and that’s to tell you the truth. A nice lie is gonna cost you a million dollars a day. And if I knew then what I know now? You couldn’t pay me enough to do this job.”
“Why not?”
“I have my reasons.”
There was a commotion in the hall, and a platform worker craned his neck to look around the warriors. “She’s got a box.”
Bob gestured for him to bring it in. “I hope it’s food.”
The worker thumped it on the floor. Gailen opened it for her with his dagger. Inside was a case of her favorite bars to replenish what she’d thought would be her snack supply. She tore one open and ate it while she inspected the rest of the contents. Her second-favorite case of tools in case she’d broken something in the first set, more cables, replacement batteries for equipment she’d lost on the charter boat, and a couple of new-in-the-box cell phones.
It wasn’t what she’d prefer, but it was enough.
Her hair felt crunchy from dried salt. She picked up a towel from the bunk bed. “I’ll grab a shower.”
“You get ready, and then find me for the safety briefing.” Bob went to the door.
“I already said I don’t need a tour.”
“Nobody stays on my rig without a briefing.” He left.
The other warriors retreated and closed the door.
She was alone with Gailen.
There was a long awkward pause.
Funny how they’d been naked under the water, but now it felt weird.
They were soul mates. They’d almost gotten married. Were still supposed to get married. What was he expecting from her?
She backed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower.”
He nodded, sat on the bed, and folded his hands. His thumbs jutted in the wrong direction.
Just like this awkwardness felt wrong.
Where was the eager, smiling, confident warrior she’d met on the boat?
She escaped into the shower and closed the door. It felt wonderful. She shivered as the sand and salt sluiced away. And the bar was a basic cheap unscented type which was usually safest for her skin. She scrubbed until she was nice and clean.
Gailen seemed down, brooding like he didn’t want to be here.
Maybe he regretted surfacing with her.
She squeezed the smooth white bar of soap.
It wasn’t nearly as comforting as Gailen’s Sea Opal.
What had happened to it? She’d put it in her pocket just before her reaction and then awoke naked in the sea. Maybe