Page 22 of Seas the Dating Coach

“Oh?” Vivian straightens, confidence flowing loosely through her limbs as I see that beautiful brain at work. I know what she’s going to do before she opens her mouth. I taught her this exact scenario at bar number two when she was panicked about approaching an attractive Asian man.

Damsel in distress.

A classic.

Men cannot pass up an opportunity to show thattheyare exactly what a woman needs. Their egos won’t allow it.

On Friday, it’d been a well-timed kick that launched her shoe a few feet away followed by a demure, “Can you help me?” Vivian had fought me for twenty minutes, but I assured her if the idiot didn’t help, I’d grab her ballet flat, and we’d move on. In the end, the man had not only retrieved the sparkly shoe but given Vivian a slight ankle caress while replacing it—something I hadn’t been pleased about.

Her gorgeous green eyes lock on mine, a surprisingly wolfish smile flirting with the corners of her mouth. Secret knowledge flows between us, and I can’t help the pride radiating from my chest.

“Maybe you can help me sometime? I’m new to the software.” A single shoulder lifts as she blinks innocently.

Brava, Vivian.

In truth, she’s been using Quickbooks for three years but hates every second of it. She told me the only things making it tolerable are the scent of books and sweet, chewy Skittles. I’d also learned that Wendy Martin, her mentor in all things fabric, had trained her and then handed the business over.

True to her word to teach me about Wilks Beach, Vivian gave me a rundown of the local businesses. Other than the brick-and-mortar stores, there were those run out of homes: two rivaling daycares, a massage therapist who gives beachside massages, a dance instructor who teaches beginning ballet and jazz out of her garage, and the stay-at-home dad who bakes all the goodies for Seabreeze Beans. Most islanders prefer to minimize the number of times they drive into Virginia Beach, so many of them have virtual careers or work for the local businesses. In the short time I’ve lived here, I’ve found myself avoiding the commute too.

“Uh, sure. Why don’t I get your number?”

While Atticus fumbles in his pocket, I make a swift exit. “Excuse me. Patricia is calling me.”

I don’t head to the circulation desk where Patricia is gabbing with Trudy, the children’s librarian. I bypass it entirely and use the badge clipped to my pants pocket to enter the book-return area and march straight into the compact storage closet. Reams of computer paper stare back at me as I try to collect myself. A mother instructing her child to insert each book one at a time reverberates through the external book drop. Most people don’t know we can hear them while they return their books. The two teen volunteers scanning and sorting returns giggle when the child throws a fit about having to return the “poop book.”

I press my eyes closed, taking slow inhales through the nose. When my phone buzzes, I know it’s Vivian.

Vivian

It worked!

Finn

I knew you could do it.

Vivian

Only because I have you. Dating coach extraordinaire.

Finn

Of course, gorgeous. You’ll always have me.

I stare at the words I thoughtlessly sent, realizing how true they are. We met a week ago, but I already know that I’d do anything to help Vivian.

Vivian

Thanks, Coach.

Vivian’s text interrupts my tailspin, reminding me to ignore that stupid twist in my chest.

Finn

Anytime.

I take longer than necessary to survey the inventory in the closet. It’s not one of my duties, but I want to make sure Vivian is gone when I head back to my office. Her influence is already setting my life on its side. I had three whole days to revel in my free time this past weekend. Time I should have spent back in Virginia Beach, hitting my old haunts with Alec.

My closest friend had begged me to play wingman for him, saying I could crash at his house, but I’d made excuses. Instead, I’d spent my long weekend reading the Wilks Beach history book on my back deck, staring at the library’s budget on my laptop, and trying not to think of Vivian’s hold over me.

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