Page 18 of Seas the Dating Coach

“Oooh, the ocean. I’m going to say hi.” Vivian wriggles from beneath my arm and bounds down the handful of stairs that lead to the sand.

The white crests of the waves are barely visible in the light cast from the huge hotel towers, but the reflection of the waning moon on the water stretches like a beacon. There are a fewclusters of people on the beach. A teenage boy runs past us, shouldering a squealing girl as a second boy videos the whole thing. An older couple walks along the water, hand in hand. But I hardly notice any of it because Vivian talks our entire walk to the shore. She’s a joyful little chatterbox. I seriously hope Vivian never holds state secrets, because all you need is two glasses of rosé, and she’ll tell you anything.

I receive a quick lesson about grain and cross-grain lines in fabric, how she thinks her twin sister, Brynn, and I should be best friends because our names rhyme, and a few tidbits of Wilks Beach lore—including how she made an “ocean wish” on her birthday, and that’s why I’m her dating coach. Apparently, the sea “sent me to help her.” The strangest thing is that if she’d uttered that sentence even three days ago, I would have written her off as a loon. Tonight, it’s endearing, and Icannotbe endeared by this woman.

When we arrive at the water’s edge, Vivian casually mentions that she’s never had more than one drink with anyone but her sister. Up until meeting me, Brynn has been the only one she’s ever trusted to take care of her. The minx drops that bomb, kicks off her shoes, then skips into the water, having no idea that earning her trust cuts a chunk out of my well-forged armor.

Vivian sighs with delight the second the cool water covers her toes. “I wish I could go for a swim right now.”

I shudder. “In the dark?”

The idea of her—anyone—in the dark water makes bile scratch up my throat—not that I enjoy being in water under the best of circumstances.

She glances over her shoulder, eyes flashing with an unexpected twinkle. “I do it all the time. Night is the best time to explore the beaches because no one’s around.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry. I have a light-up bubble buoy I use for open-water swimming.”

The ringing in my ears overtakes the crashing sound of waves. I’m eight again, and all I can feel is the burning in my lungs and my brother, Brody’s, hands on my shoulders. My riotous heart slaps against my ribs, all other sounds muffled by the—

“Finn.”

I startle, finding Vivian in front of me. How long has she been there?

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” My head shakes as I refocus my thoughts.

She tucks her lower lip between her teeth. “I asked if you were okay?”

I attempt a charming smile but feel it wobble. “Of course, gorgeous.” I slide my hands into my pockets and pull my shoulders back, needing her concerned look to drop more than I need my next breath. “I’m always okay.”

“Are you sure?”

My father’s words echo automatically.“Don’t show weakness. The second they see you vulnerable, you’re as good as dead.”

I nod.

Life has proved my father’s warning true, but the sweet crease between Vivian’s brows messes with my head. It’s making me want to cup her cheek in gratitude before threading my fingers through those curls and bringing her mouth to mine.

My hands fist in my pockets as I remind myself that kissing Vivian would be completely disastrous—both for my plans to save my sister and for my shredded heart.

Her nose wrinkles in that adorable way before Vivian’s expression brightens. “I know what you need.” She grabs my wrist and tugs me toward the boardwalk, forgetting about her shoes. “Rosé. Rosé fixes everything.”

I stoop to grab her shoes before letting her lead me up the beach. “I think we need some water.”

“Boo. Spoilsport.”

An unexpected chuckle leaves my mouth.

Her mouth splits wide on a grin, and I try to mediate the effect it has on my heart rate. Part of me wishes Vivian smiled like that more often, but then a selfish part loves that she only directs that particular grin at me.

Vivian stops at the top of the boardwalk stairs, still holding my wrist. “If I drink a bottle of water, can we try another target?”

A snort escapes me. “You want to go to another bar?”

I thought for sure we were going home.

“Yeah, because I realized something.” It doesn’t seem possible for her to shine brighter, yet Vivian positively sparkles.

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