Page 67 of Seas the Dating Coach

“She’s a local. Like us. We’re born here. We belong here.”

“And every once in a while, we let new people into our ranks.” I glance at my sister, thinking about the various mainlanders who’ve made Wilks Beach their home over the years. Maybe, with time, I can convince Finn to consider the town his too.

Just like we can have an entire conversation with eyebrow lifts and head tilts, Brynn understands what I’m asking for here.

“We do.” Her mouth is firm, but my sister nods. “We do.”

twenty-nine

Finn

I’m not sure what I expected the town’s response to be the morning after kissing Vivian. Picketing? Tomato throwing? General upheaval over me locking lips with the local sweetheart? For the most part, I’m met with knowing grins as I walk to the library. Then I’m darn near accosted by back slaps and exuberant hugs from my coworkers. Even Robert says, “I’m excited as all get out,” with absolutely no change in facial expression.

I never thought I’d be grateful for small-town gossip and howup in your businesspeople can get after being at the receiving end of everyone’s disapproval when I moved here. The fact is, I would have kissed Vivian back even if I was still the town villain. I’d have been helpless not to.

But I have to admit, the external validation is…nice. It’s akin to the sense of belonging that comes when I enter the market andsomeone calls me by name or when everyone on my morning run smiles and waves back.

When Carol Cook barges into my office a few minutes after the library doors open, I grin, almost excited to see what she’ll throw at me. “Are you going to make an honest girl of our Vivian?”

I barely restrain a chuckle. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me.” Carol cane-walks through my door and attempts to slam it closed but, due to the fact that the glass door has a hefty hydraulic system, fails miserably.

“That was anticlimactic,” she murmurs before spinning to me with a pointed finger. Today’s nail polish matches her smudged lipstick—a purply mauve. “Much like your love life will be without my help.”

“Mrs. Cook,” I begin, my tone cordial, though a flick of irritation courses through me.

She rolls her eyes. “Spare me.” Then she deepens her voice. “I’m young and handsome, but all foam, no beer, and can’t see a good thing when it’s right in front of me.”

My slow inhale pulls my dress shirt taut against my chest. “I can assure you that—”

“Bap bap bap.” Her interrupting sound is akin to one you’d use to stop a wayward dog from jumping up on bed. “You know nothing about how things work in this town.”

Since Carol clearly needs to say her fill, I slide my hands in my pockets. “Enlighten me.”

It takes several seconds for Carol’s lips to fully curl in a smile, almost as if drawn out for dramatic effect. Clearly being the holder of the town’s information is a position she relishes. I take one hand out of my pocket, rolling it in the air to hurry her along.

She makes a dismissive noise before hobbling over to my desk chair and making herself comfortable. Once Carol has adjusted her pink trousers and matching blouse, she catches my gaze.

“You may have run around, slobbering on others in the past—”

“I did not slobber—” Carol silences me with a single tattooed eyebrow.

“You may have had casual dalliances in the past, but Vivian is an old-fashioned girl—”

“Woman,” I interrupt, unable to keep the slight edge out of my tone.

Carol tilts her head but keeps her smile of approval muted. “Vivian is a woman who deserves more than kisses against the sides of buildings for everyone to see.” She tugs at the collar of her shirt as if to steady herself, but I’m sure it’s part of the performance. “The next course of action is clear. It’s time you asked her to the ball. You’re obviously infatuated with her. She’s clearly enticed by”—Carol pauses, flicking her open palm over my appearance—“all of this, so there’s no time like the present.”

It’s my turn to smirk at the indomitable Carol Cook.

“It seems I mistook you as an observant woman...” I see the exact second Carol stops herself from taking the bait. “Because someone who clearly has their thumb on the pulse of this town would know that I am not a man of questionable character. It is my full intention to ask Vivian to the library fundraiser.”

“Glad we’re on the same page,” she continues, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “I don’t like mainlanders, but I’ve made an exception for you because Vivian likes you. Everyone thinks Vivian is naive, but she’s a good judge of character—you end up being one when all you do is observe. Though I trust her judgment, believe me when I say I will rip you limb from limb if you ever do anything to hurt her.”

“I would rather drown than cause Vivian pain.”

The truth escaping my mouth feels like a sucker punch to the stomach, but its veracity rings like a reassuring pulse throughout my body. A soft four-letter word slips through my mind, but before I can analyze it, Carol makes two attempts to stand,distracting me. I cross behind the desk, but she’s successful before I can help her up.

---