Page 59 of Seas the Dating Coach

“You do?”

“You’re like her opposite but in the best way—always knowing what to say when she struggles to communicate.”

I stare at her, uncharacteristically wordless.

“Not that you need our approval. You’ll make your own decisions. It’s your life. Yada yada.” Patricia waves a hand, sharing a commiserating glance with Trudy.

My brain is buzzing while a strange, yet comforting, sense of warmth infiltrates everything else. I need to figure out this situation with Vivian, but one word keeps ticking at my temple like remnant rain drops falling off a roof—honest.

“I like you like this.”

So much of the last several years has been a master class in deceit—mostly out of necessity to protect Cordelia. But there had been a part of me so hurt by Katelyn’s actions that it made me want to hide away, especially since she confirmed what my father has always told me.

No one would ever love me as I am.

But he’d been wrong about my ability to thrive without his money, without his last name. What if he’d been wrong about this too? Maybe I could slowly show Vivian parts of who I really am.

“Thank you,” I tell Patricia, and then just to needle her, I add my most charming grin. “I’ll take your feedback under consideration.”

As expected, she rolls her eyes.

“For the fundraiser”—my shoulders settle as I mentally shift gears—“let’s start by making a list of actionable items.”

twenty-five

Vivian

My toes wiggle in the water off the dock behind Bayside Table, my legs kicking leisurely. A boat bobs a few feet to my right, the last to occupy one of the six coveted boat slips. On perfect days like today, this dock brings more mainlanders to Wilks Beach than the road does. Sometimes, early June is cool and breezy, reminding you that summer doesn’t officially start until the third week. Other times, it can be humid and scorching, already making you dread August. Today, it’s an agreeable eighty with a bright, unmarred sky—warm enough to enjoy my legs in the water as I wait for Finn.

Checking the time on my phone, my face automatically unlocks the screen, displaying my text messages from earlier.

Vivian

We need to talk. I’ll wait outside beside the docks.

Finn

Okay. I’ll come out when the meeting is over.

My stomach should be stewing with maggots, but with the breeze coming off the bay, I’m oddly calm. I made a decision the second Finn ran his fingers through his unstyled hair. It’d been an idea I’d toyed with last night when I laid down, too excited about my success to sleep. It’d been the song in the background when I had a relaxing morning with Brynn, deciding to wait to see if the consignment dresses sell before telling her about the fair. At the end of yesterday, I had enough profit to give Brynn the day off, but it’d be icing on the Seabreeze Beans’s cinnamon roll if I could also book her a spa day.

When my sister went downstairs to roast beans, I walked here, not even bothering to tell her about meeting Atticus. It’s a non-issue because, though this whole endeavor began to win his affection, that’s no longer what I want. I’m not even sure if I ever really wanted Atticus but ratherthe ideaof Atticus. And after a very cordial meeting with the man, it’s clear he’s not interested in me in the least. After he helped me organize my bookkeeping software to be more efficient, Atticus unexpectedly pumped me for information about Amanda.

An acoustic guitarist tunes in the background as seagulls float above the restaurant. Clara, the owner of Bayside Table, must be experimenting with adding music on Sunday evenings. The town will be thrilled.

“Hey.”

A few escaped strands of hair brush the back of my neck as I turn my head. Finn’s expression is strained, his jaw tight like it’d been before he’d taken his medicine yesterday. His back presses against the building, almost as if he needs it for support.

“Are you hurting?”

If he’s in pain, this can wait another day.

“No, it’s—” Finn draws in a large inhale, holding it for two tense seconds before releasing it in a gush. His focus falls to the dock boards as his forearms flex. I’m about to inquire again when Finn raises his head. Our gazes meet, and then I see it, the subtle shift but in reverse this time. The affable mask Finn wears slips as he takes another steadying breath. “Honest?”

I nod, my chest suddenly tight.

“You’re too close to the water.”

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