“Ayuh.”
Avery’s cheeks flushed. “I’m not sure if this is more or less embarrassing than you catching me googling you.”
“I’m not qualified to answer that. After all, a dog sneezed on me, and I acted like a petulant child.”
She let out a nervous, stilted laugh and he said a silent wish for her to find the humor in all of this and let it loose. Miles wanted to hear her contagious, genuine laugh again. He’d recognize it anywhere. His favorite time to hear it had been when they talked nonsense in bed after sex. If it went too far, she used to cry happy tears. Sometimes she’d even snort, which only made them laugh harder.
This laugh lacked that kind of sparkle, but it was a start.
“Pepper,” he said, with what he hoped was a comforting smile. “We’ll get past the awkward part.”
She frowned at the use of her nickname and nodded.
“That’s not why we’re here, Miles.”
Maybe not, but with any luck, he’d earn her forgiveness. A monumental task, but he had time. The Lodge was empty until the summer staff arrived at the end of the month.
Chapter Five
Avery
Friday, May 19
Casper had been lethargic and constipated for the last two days. He’d stopped eating and lost interest in walks to the mailbox or along the lake, which he usually loved. Avery had fed him a little of the canned pumpkin Lily dropped off to soothe his tummy, but he’d slept under the desk all morning.
Avery took the warm dog draped across her feet as a sign to put off investigating the Boathouse today. This left time for researching other resorts’ websites and reservation systems. A new reservation system should be at the top of Nate’s list.
Over the last couple of days, Miles had made good on his promise not to bother her, quietly slipping in and out of the conference room for his remote shoots and Zoom meetings. Every time she passed the conference-room door, the meeting with Nate replayed in her head, herthoughts alternating between irritation and desire. His firefly tattoo resembled a sketch she remembered drawing that summer. She’d carefully hidden their initials in the lacy lines of the firefly’s wings. There’d been no way for her to closely inspect his ink, but it made no sense for him to ghost her yet permanently alter his body with a memento of their time together.
One thing was certain. Her college boy had become all man. The abs flexing as his shirt lifted confirmed this broader, sturdier Miles knew how to use his body. Given his dating history, he probably knew exactly what to do with hers. His deliberate delivery of the word “blindfolded” still echoed in Avery’s head. She covered her eyes in embarrassment, despite being alone in the lobby. She hadn’t pined for a man this hard in a long time. The Pine Tree State was living up to its name.
“Enough,” she said to herself as she opened Montressa’s laptop. “No thinking about Miles.”
Casper’s head jolted up at her voice. He cocked his ears, tilted his head. Finding nothing concerning, he dropped back to the floor.
Recruiters interviewed MBA candidates in the fall. And while redecorating the Boathouse sounded fun, she needed something impressive on her résumé to fill the gaping hole of unemployment since the sale of the Peppered Page last year. Nate had mentioned he needed a website and social media accounts. She could spin that as a marketing plan and impress hiring managers. She planned to research other small resorts before lunch. First, she needed to answer Montressa’s emails.
The elusive Paulson Carter remained on the calendar. Avery’s second internet search yielded an email address, which sent back an automated reply. A message through LinkedIn went unanswered. She’d done everything except talk to Nate and Miles. But Nate had enough going on, and Avery wasn’t willing to risk another embarrassing conversation with Miles.
If Paulson showed up, she’d send him on his way, do some research, and figure out which Nancy Meyers movie to watch with Lily later.Picking Miles’s countertop had made her crave a pretty kitchen. MaybeIt’s Complicatedand some croque monsieur for dinner.
Casper let out an unenthusiastic woof at the sound of gravel crunching outside as a black car rounded the circular drive in the wrong direction. Avery walked to the door and peered out the window. The door of a shiny black Rivian SUV swung open and vintage Air Jordans, white as snow, hit the gravel.
“Oof, those won’t stay white long,” she muttered as opened the lodge door. “Can I help you?”
Mr. Air Jordan’s blond hair was gelled back, the sides cut with precision and enough length on top to look sleek and stylish. A dress shirt with the top button undone gave a glimpse of a chiseled collarbone. He tugged a shirt cuff out from under his blue blazer, revealing a massive Breitling watch and silver fish cufflinks. Although roughly her age, he oozed the superiority and sophistication of a much older man. He was out of place in the Maine woods. This had to be Paulson Carter of Carter Hotel Group. Clearly, he didn’t get any of her sevenmessages.
He pulled off his wire sunglasses, fighter-pilot style, in one deliberate sideways swoop. Piercing blue eyes met hers. She palmed her hair in an attempt to appear presentable and thanked whatever possessed her to wear her most flattering jeans today. He mounted three stairs in one step and tucked his sunglasses into his shirt pocket.
“Hi, I’m Avery.” She smiled and stuck out her hand.
“Avery, Paulson Carter. Carter Hotel Group. It’s a pleasure.” He shook her hand firmly, covering it with his other hand. His hands were warm, probably from the heated steering wheel. This close, he smelled expensive. “I’m glad I ignored your messages.”
She disregarded his flirtation. “The Coopers aren’t here and we’re not open for another month.”
“Well, I was in the area and wanted to see the place.” He cleared his throat. “How’s Mr. Cooper feeling?”
“Better,” Avery said. “But maybe you should come back later. Nate should be home by the end of the month.”
