Page 68 of Seas the Dating Coach

Carol quirks her lips as if to dismiss me but then rests a hand on my shoulder. “Life is full of uncertainty. You can plan and plot, but you never know what’s around the corner,” she says, giving me a little pinch. “That’s why I start every day with a cinnamon roll. You’ve got to enjoy things while you can.”

The moment is almost as sweet as the dozens I shared with Magda. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as my lips slip into a smile. Carol’s face softens into a small grin before she uses her cane against my shins.

“Now move out of the way. I’ve got to get to Dotty’s and inform her thather grandsonwas the one who vandalized the lifeguard towers. Shameful behavior.” Though her words are admonishing, the corners of her lips quiver as if restraining a delighted smile.

The next hour is a whirlwind of planning for the fundraiser, but I manage to break away a little after ten. Carol is right. I should have done this the second Vivian’s lips fell from mine. The morning’s stagnant haze has been burned off by the bright sun, but the oppressive humidity threatens to turn my shirt into a sodden mess during the short walk to Vivian’s Alterations.

“Be with you in a minute.” The words come out muffled, her mouth occupied by several color-tipped pins as Vivian hunches over a men’s shirt when I enter her shop.

A song whispers in the background as my heart tries to beat out of my chest at the sight of her. Her hair is half up, a few springy tendrils kissing her temples. She’s wearing the same green sundress she had on the day we met, when she crashed into me and everything changed. I’d initially thought the lingering pressure in my lungs that morning had been from the force of her hitting me, but now I realize it was her. Vivian’seffortless beauty had captivated me even when I’d been trying to dismiss her out of habit and self-preservation.

Vivian finally glances up, two pins tumbling from her mouth and pinging on the polished cement floor. “Finn.”

When she doesn’t instantly smile, I self-consciously run a hand over my vest. “Good morning.”

Her lips part, but Vivian doesn’t speak, only tucks her bottom lip between her teeth.

A thousand questions swarm my head like hornets. Does she regret last night? Is this the end? Do I need to carve my heart out of my chest with a melon baller?

Out of habit, I set a flirty smile to my lips, straightening a pile of button boxes on her large worktable. “I assume you’ll be incredibly busy with everyone’s alterations, and I wanted to make my appointment first.”

Coward. Just ask her out.

I ignore the unhelpful thought and stride forward, sliding my hands into my pockets and deciding to up the ante.

“I’ve ordered everything I need, but if you haven’t noticed”—I pull my shoulders back, subtly broadening my chest—“I prefer garments to fit me perfectly.”

Heat flashes in her eyes, and the relief is so overwhelmingly sweet that my knees nearly buckle. Vivian sets aside the shirt and stands, her yellow measuring tape dangling around her neck. “I’ll need to take some measurements so when your clothes arrive I can adjust them accordingly.”

“Of course.” It takes effort to keep my voice even. I started this flirty exchange, but Vivian is in control now.

She pauses beside me for millisecond, her gaze flicking to mine before gesturing to her octagonal step riser. “Face the windows please. Stand off the riser so I can use it first.”

It feels like the AC just went out, and the room floods with summer heat as I await her touch. Her fingers start at theback of my shoulders first, sliding the measuring tape from one edge to the other. The puff of breath at the nape of my neck has me pressing my eyes closed, struggling to keep composure. Every movement is slow and deliberate, her touch a tad heavier than innocent. Vivian measures my arm length next, followed by biceps and wrist circumference. Having my measurements taken isn’t a new experience, but it’s a challenge to keep my heart rate from ratcheting when Vivian’s fingers pause at the pulse point on my wrist.

“Turn around, please.” With her still on the riser, our faces perfectly align.

“Um—” She licks her lips, her confidence flickering, and gestures to her own neck. My chin lifts in understanding as her fingers close the measuring tape around my bobbing Adam’s apple. I try not to flinch when her fingertips dip into the notch between my collarbones, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. The moment hovers for what feels like years until the measuring tape slides from my neck.

I lift my arms so Vivian can place the tape around my back, lowering them when she gathers the yellow band around my chest. My ribs are expanding too quickly, though. I know I should breathe normally so she can get an accurate measurement, but it feels like thunder is building in my veins. When her hands collect over my heart, I’ll lose the battle I’ve been waging with my impulses. I won’t be able to stop from sliding my fingers beneath that beautiful tangle of curls, from using my other hand to tilt her jaw up.

Her hands freeze, the measuring tape six inches away from the buttons of my shirt, almost as if Vivian knows. Those gorgeous green eyes meet mine, an uneven breath skittering between her parted lips.

“What color is your tailcoat?”

My fingers flex at my sides, poorly dissipating the debilitating tension. “Green,” I grit out.

“Green?”

My body is too strained for this conversation inside a conversation. I ache to touch Vivian, but more importantly, I need her to understand that what’s happening between us isn’t like the other relationships I’ve had since my broken engagement. Those I kept superficial to focus on my professional goals and to keep myself protected. Though my heart thrashes in my ribcage, I choose this moment not only to be honest, but vulnerable.

“I assumed that was the color you’d choose for your gown, since you look gorgeous in it. Though I probably should have consulted you on the exact hue so we don’t clash. It’s hunter green, but...” I rub the back of my neck with a soft chuckle. “It seems I’ve gotten ahead of myself.”

I drop my hand, focusing on Vivian’s expressive eyes. “Vivian Hutchinson, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Wilks Beach Regency Ball?”

My sternum burns with the desire to promise more, but I don’t want to do that without being certain that I’m here to stay.

I expect Vivian to give me that smile of hers, maybe tease me with a coy reply, so when she jumps and wraps her legs around my waist, I’m almost too slow to catch her.Almost.My palms settle under her thighs as Vivian’s lips crash to mine, her fingers greedy on my jaw. It’s an incendiary continuation of last night. Fire burns down my spine until the soles of my feet sting. I groan into her mouth as her fingers burrow through my hair.

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