Page 84 of Seas the Dating Coach

Cordelia pouts. “No. You’re supposed to use it!”

My gaze flows over the dilapidated circulating room. Everything in here besides the sorting machine is circa 1975 or earlier. “Perhaps some donations are in order.”

“Now you’re talking.”

“And I suppose…” I begin, thinking of Vivian’s plans to see Raven Sacaria and how I might be able to convince her to embrace a little extravagance—just this once. “I’ve got a girlfriend to spoil.”

thirty-six

Vivian

Aflight attendant unintentionally interrupts Cade’s story about an ostrich chase through the Texas desert when she arrives by our plush leather seats with a tray of crystal flutes.

“Yes, please!” Cade says before accepting the proffered glass of champagne.

I’m glad I invited Cade to join us on this trip, because not only is she a literal ball of light but Cade keeps saying everything we’re all thinking. It’d been Brynn’s idea to expand our trip to Vegas to include our newly acquired friends since Finn changed my simple long weekend away into an exorbitant affair.

When Finn told me at the ball, over a month ago, that his sister would shortly be inheriting her billions and giving him half, I thought I’d been caught in one of my imagination’s elaborate fantasies. But nope, I’d pinched the underside of my arm until it turned pink and never woke up.

“It doesn’t have to change anything, just make things easier. When you let that much money pollute your life, it corrupts you.” Finn’s flirty grin loses some of its light before his gaze meets mine and softens. “I still want to live in my rental. I want to walk to work as this library’s manager. I want to shop at Dotty’s like nothing happened tonight, but…” He sucks in a slow breath.

“There are a few things I’d let that money change. I’d love to buy you whatever fabric your heart desires. I am absolutely going to replace that glitchy button machine before it permanently damages your fingers.” He brings my fingertips to his lips for a soft kiss. “And it would make me immensely happy to cover everything for your trip to see Raven Sacaria. Can you let me do that?”

Other than the library receiving a donation amount that Dave Prescott couldn’t match in three lifetimes, the last month of being a billionaire’s girlfriend has felt just like normal life. So much so that I’d been completely unprepared for the luxury of the chauffeured SUV picking me, my sister, Geneva, and Cade up from Seabreeze Beans earlier today. Summer is speaking at a pediatric conference in Florida and keeps texting how she’s kicking herself for not getting out of it.

“This is the best bubbly I’ve ever tasted.” Cade arches her light eyebrows at Felicia, who’s been taking excellent care of us during our cross-country flight. “Though, it’s not bubbly, is it?”

Due to Cade’s outgoing nature, we’ve learned that Felicia and her pilot husband have been flying Cordelia to various locales for most of her life. We’ve also learned that the co-pilot is their twenty-eight-year-oldvery singleson.

“No, miss.” The breathtakingly beautiful middle-aged woman barely restrains a smile. “This is a 1999 Salon Blanc de Blancs.”

I don’t even have the slightest clue what that means, but I’m sure, like everything about this trip, it’s expensive. My phonelights with a video call from Finn, and I excuse myself from the table and four seats facing each other to one of the single seats toward the back of the plane. The disorienting goodbye kiss he gave me this morning is still on my lips, more decadent than that champagne I just tasted.

“Hey, gorgeous.” He leans back in his office chair, running his fingers through his loose hair. “How’s the flight so far? Are you keeping your promise to me?”

After kissing me into oblivion, Finn made me promise to let go and enjoy this experience.

“Yes,” I tell him. “I’m squeezing every ounce of joy out of each moment.”

The corner of my ridiculously hot boyfriend’s mouth quirks. “And everyone else?”

“Cade would be happy at the bottom of a paper bag, so she’s elated. Her stories keep making us all laugh. Geneva is completely comfortable, acting as if she belongs in this opulent world…” I make a mental note to investigate why later. “And Brynn has finally realized that she doesn’t have to be in charge, making sure everyone is taken care of, since you’ve already done it. I haven’t seen her this relaxed in years, and I can’t thank you enough, Finn. This has been so incredible, and we’re not even at the concert yet.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. You all deserve a break, but…” A coil tightens in my core when Finn’s smile turns devious. “I’m actually calling because I’ve got another surprise for you. I’ve been working on it for weeks but just got confirmation.”

I suck in a scattered breath. “What is it?”

“You not only have front row seats and backstage passes, but you’ll be meeting Raven before the concert.”

A bark of disbelief leaves my mouth. “I’ll what?”

“You can’t go all the way there and not say hi to your favorite musician.” His eyes twinkle. “It’s only for five minutes before she does her final show prep, but—”

“Finn, that’s amazing!”

Even though it’s probably inappropriate on this posh plane, I stand, squealing and jumping. Finn’s laughter over the phone makes my heart three thousand times lighter. The rest of our group asks what’s going on, cheering when I tell them about Finn’s secret plans for us.

“Miss?” Felicia says. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’re beginning our descent. If you wouldn’t mind ending your call and fastening your seatbelt.”

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