Author's Notes: I am terribly sorry for the delay! It's still Wednesday evening for me and I am technically not yet late, but I am sorry to keep you all waiting! I no longer have chapters at the ready and have been scrambling to get these done in time for Beta and my sister to read before I post.

xiv

Rikki thought he was joking. He had to be joking. Zane Bennet who cared only about motorbikes and upsetting his dad could not be in earnest about owning a restaurant.

She said as much the next afternoon, when he brought it up again at the JuiceNet. Cleo had called for a friendship conference to discuss the latest developments in the case of Charlotte and Nate, and to catch up on personal gossip. She and Lewis were already there, and the four of them ordered juice while they waited for Emma and Ash to make their appearance.

Cleo was ecstatic about having everyone together. Emma said it sounded like a practical way to keep informed about any threat to their secret, and Rikki grumbled about it being too much like a triple date.

"Ooo, a triple date would be fun!" Cleo squealed.

"Cleo! No it wouldn't! Emma would schedule the whole thing and make us stick to a timeframe for each activity. Zane and I would make fun of her for it, and you and Lewis would be off in your own little bubble, completely unaware of anything going on around you. No thanks. We can hang out like this, but dating together is a bad idea." She looked to Zane for back up, but he was watching the queue of customers with a thoughtful expression.

"I wonder how he keeps profits up in the cold season..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Running a place like this," he answered sincerely.

Rikki was dumbfounded. "I thought that was a joke!"

"Nope. I'm totally serious," he assured her. "I don't want to be that useless bloke with loads of money and nothing to show for it. And before you say anything snarky, I am not taking up a fine art collection."

Rikki shut her mouth, smirking. He knew exactly how she was going to poke fun at him.

"It's not all it's cracked up to be." Wilfred stood over their table, drying a glass. "In fact, it looks like I may have to shut the place down."

"What?!"

The resulting chaos was unanimous. Lewis jumped up from his seat, crying, "Wilfred! You... you can't!" Cleo wondered aloud where she could ever buy her favourite drink, and Emma and Ash entered just in time to hear the bad news and panic over their employment status.

"Why didn't you tell us, Wilfred?" Emma asked, "This is about our jobs, too!"

"I didn't know until yesterday! I made some bad business decisions, and won't be able to keep the place open much longer. I'm really sorry, guys. No one's more devastated than I am. But that's how life goes."

"But we do everything here!" Cleo said as tears formed in her eyes, "Where will we go to hang out? And announce parties? And surfing competitions? And turtle sightings! Where will I ever find another Strawberry Surprise?" she pouted woefully at the pink slush inside her glass.

Ash patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, Cleo. I'll get the recipe for you before we close down. It won't be the same as having it here, but..." he trailed off, too unhappy to continue.

"Cleo's right," Emma interjected, "This is such a popular place. How could it close down?"

"Isn't there something we can do?" Lewis asked. "Host a fundraiser, or start a donation?"

"Does anyone owe you money? We'll find them for you and make them give it up," Rikki offered.

"You guys are great," Wilfred smiled sadly, "But no, those aren't viable solutions. I won't burden you with the details, but a good run in sales won't save us now. It's my fault that all this is coming about, and I'm sorry to let you kids down."

"There has to be something," Emma insisted, "We can't just let this happen!"

Wilfred sighed. "The only thing that would bring me back is if someone bought the cafe from me. But to be honest, I don't think I could do that even with a generous offer. It would kill me to see this place change under a new owner. It's my pride and joy. Maybe that's unfair to you guys, but I can't bring myself to do it."

"I understand," Ash said quietly. The others were too glum to respond.

Zane, who had been silent the entire time, spoke up at last. "I'll buy it."

Emma gasped incredulously. Cleo looked up from her drink and sniffled. Lewis cocked his head as if Zane spoke a different language. Ash smiled and shook his head.

Wilfred chuckled. "That's kind of you to offer, but..."

"I'm dead serious," he said for the second time that day. "I have the money. I'll buy you back into business. You can keep the name, your position, the secret recipes, the layout... nothing has to change. I'll own it in name and on paper, but the cafe will still be yours to run as you please. It's not like I want to run it on my own."

"Zane, are you sure? This isn't like buying a bike."

"I know," he grinned, "this is way more important. Just let me help out. Show me how to operate this place so I have something to do. That's all I want in return."

"Zane, this is huge..." Wilfred began.

"Yeah, but look at them," he waved to the group of hopeful eyes at their table, "We can't let them suffer like this."

Rikki wasn't much for public displays of affection, but she made an exception and tiptoed to kiss Zane on the cheek. "You are without a doubt the best guy I know."

"Well, if this is how you're going to be, maybe I'll buy a couple more cafes."

She rolled her eyes, but didn't let go of his arm.

"So," Emma said, after things were settled and Wilfred had sauntered off. "What's this I hear about Nate being a merman?"

-x-

As expected, Emma did not take the news of Cleo's new job with much enthusiasm. She didn't get her chance to speak her mind during the commotion at the JuiceNet, but made sure she followed her to the marine park next time Cleo was on duty as a mermaid.

"I can't believe this," she said, lugging the giant black case meant to look like it would hold a tail. "What's in here, anyway?"

"Uh, clothes, mostly. Books. A few rocks to make it heavier."

"Rocks? And you lug this thing around?"

"Well, it has to look like it's tough to carry. Our tails aren't light! You wanted us to be careful, right? We're taking every precaution," she nodded seriously. "Lewis even had them set up a dressing room so I can put on the tail in privacy. Which just means I use the squirt bottle from inside the case to transform."

Emma tried to come up with a weakness in their plan, but she couldn't think of any outstanding issues. "I still don't like it."

"G'day, ladies!" Lewis called. He bounded up to take the heavy case from Emma. "Not to worry. The manager has arrived."

Cleo stifled a giggle as Emma shook her head in good humour. "Lewis, I hope you know what you're doing."

"Oh, absolutely. We've been over this dozens of times. There is no way anyone will find out she's the real thing. And you should see the kids! They love her!"

"Yeah, they're not the only ones, I bet," Emma said slyly.

Cleo turned pink as Lewis beamed at her. "True. That is true. Well, I'm off to check the tank. Be back around to help you in," he said with a parting kiss to Cleo's forehead.

Emma watched him head off with a thoughtful frown. "I hope you'll be okay."

"Why wouldn't we be?"

"I'm just worried since I saw Charlotte poking around the JuiceNet while we were all there... and she didn't look too happy."