Page 49 of Seas the Dating Coach

Irritation rakes every cell in my body at her flagrant objectification, but Finn does that thing where all his honesty gets siphoned behind a glossy facade. It’s strange, watching the subtle changes he makes, like seeing a person shrug on an ill-fitting jacket.

“I’m afraid not, ma’am.” Finn’s charming grin cracks at the corners, unable to completely hide his exhaustion, but the woman doesn’t notice.

“That’s okay. You can help me find the perfect dress.”

When Finn flinches slightly as she grabs his biceps with her bony fingers, my vision nearly turns the color of the dress in her other hand.

“Do you have something like this in blue?” a third voice behind me stops me from lurching forward and peeling the woman’s ring-laden hand from Finn’s skin.

I spin, noting the yellow dress in her fingers. I know I made that one in teal. Depending on her opinion, that might count as blue.

“I think I might,” I tell her, taking the yellow dress from her and moving toward the front of the tent to find the teal one.

Each step away from Finn feels like moving against a riptide.

“Will this work?” I ask, holding out the other option. My gaze flits toward Finn, finding his smile restored to its normal wattage as the woman on his arm looks through the racks.

“I think so.” She places the hanger beneath her chin, glancing at the full-length mirror I’ve fastened to one of the front tent poles. “Do you have a changing room?”

“Unfortunately, no.” I offer an apologetic smile. “It’s against Oceanside Artisan Fair’s policy. They want to prevent public undressing.”

“I’d like to undress this one.” The woman still gripping Finn’s arm bounces her eyebrows.

“Joyce! He could be your son,” Diane admonishes.

“He could be my third husband.” Joyce leans into Finn, and I drop the dress I’m holding to stomp over.

“Let go of him.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard my voice so low and angry at the same time. I’m practically growling.

“Oh, honey—” Her rings glint as she waves me off, but I step closer, undeterred.

“Let. Go. Of. Him.”

If I was outside of this situation, looking at myself, I’d probably shiver. All five foot five of me is vibrating with furious energy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this outraged in my life. I usually quietly accept whatever life throws at me, but I’ve started a domino effect with each small change I’ve made since my ocean wish. Now, I’m a warrior goddess who stands up for what’s right.

Joyce’s drunken, blotched eyes widen. “But—”

“Let go and get out.” My tone leaves no room for argument.

Diane steps between us, corralling her friend and whispering apologies. I follow the trio until they’re beyond the borders of mytent and then draw the flaps to “close” the tent. Once secured, I stare at the opaque plastic covering. Those three will probably tell the fair officiants I threw them out. I’m going to get kicked out of this event before it even starts. If that happens, there’s no way I’ll make enough to give Brynn a day off.

I wait, but remorse doesn’t ribbon through my ribs.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Finn’s perfectly neutral voice makes this whole situation worse.

“Aren’t you mad?” I ask, twirling around. “Aren’t you upset that she was leering at you, touching you? You’re a person, Finn, not an object. It doesn’t matter that you’re ridiculously hot. She should sneak furtive glances at you, like the rest of the world, not treat you like her personal toy.”

Finn stares, his chest rising and falling unevenly. His piercing eyes never stray from mine.

Kiss me, my body begs.I rescued you. March over here and kiss me.

But then I realize that maybe Finn didn’t want to be rescued. After all, I’m sick of people doing that to me. That’s why I’m here, doing something way outside my comfort zone that no one from town knows about.

“I’m sorry.” I drop my gaze, twisting my ring.

Tension surges as Finn slowly steps closer, and by the time I can see his sneakers in my eyeline, I’m pretty sure my lungs are going to give out.

“Don’t be sorry. No one—” He clears his throat of its grit. “No one has ever done anything like that for me before. I’ve always fended for myself.”

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