“So, Paulson,” she said. “What brought you up here?”
“I was checking out the lake,” he said, “and I’d always heard about Montressa. Nate suggested I stop by.”
They passed Miles’s blue canoe, beached in the sand, and walkedaround the bend. Montressa’s small marina consisted of three docks, one with boat slips. Miles looked up from fixing a motor. He stood, wiped his hands on his pants, and strode down the dock toward them. Upon recognizing Paulson, he seemed to grow larger with each step; his chest expanded, his jaw tightened, and his pecs flexed under the waffle Henley shirt.
Paulson’s left hand came to rest in the small of Avery’s back. She tensed.
“Miles Magrum. I was just talking about you.” Paulson offered a fist bump with his free hand.
Miles bumped back unenthusiastically, a frown accompanying his annoyed stare. “Paulson. What brings you here?”
“I was in the area and had to see the lake you used to talk about,” Paulson said.
Miles’s eyes flicked to Avery’s, and something in his glance told her this was news to him.
“Miles, you like to fish?” Paulson mimed casting a fishing rod. “Seems like a good place for a fishing—”
“The resort’s not open until mid-June.” Miles cut him off. “If you want to fish, make a reservation. Otherwise, leave.” He pointed to the driveway.
Avery’s jaw dropped. More big dock energy. Maybe Miles hadn’t expected to see Paulson today, but it wasn’t like Paulson was being a jerk. And Miles loved to fish. She’d never seen Miles act so rude.
Paulson checked his Breitling and pulled his cuff-linked sleeve back over it.
“I need to get back, anyway.” He sounded defeated. Maybe he’d seen this side of Miles before. “Thanks for the tour, Avery. I enjoyed meeting you.”
As he walked off, Miles whispered, “Did we know Paulson was coming?”
“I did and I tried to contact him, but he didn’t respond.” Averymatched his whisper. “I thought he wanted to book a vacation or something. Or help the Coopers. Why were you so rude to him?”
“Because Paulson doesn’t help people. He buys them, wins them over, or competes with them. I’d never accept his help.”
“You’re making him sound evil. He seemed nice.”
Except for wanting to tear the place down. Granted, that was a big deal, but it would only add fuel to Miles’s rage fire.
Miles released his dart-shooting glare from Paulson’s back, fixed his gaze over the water, and ran a hand down his stubbled jaw. She wasn’t sure whether to stay on this dock, go after Paulson and apologize for Miles’s behavior, or take the long way back to the lodge and avoid them both.
“The way he touched you.” Miles gritted his teeth. “He’s trying to charm you. Whatever you do, don’t go out with him.”
He could not be serious. Her dating life wasn’t Burger King. He couldn’t have it his way.
“Excuse me.” Avery put her hand on her hip and glared at Miles, channeling her own big dock energy. “You don’t get to tell me who to date.”
“I’m not. I’m telling you whonotto date.”
He walked back to the boats. Avery followed, hot on his heels. Casper trotted beside her, clearly taking her side in this ridiculousness.
“Same thing. And you are the very last person who gets a say in who I date.” Well, maybe not very last. He was right in front of Trent.
“He’s not a good guy, Avery.” Miles’s stare grew cold. “Paulson treats people like business transactions. He’ll divest himself of you when he decides you’re no longer needed.”
“And who are you to gatekeep everyone else? You sleep with a new woman every night and act like it’s admirable. But if he did the same, it’s transactional? If I did it, I’d be slut-shamed. How come you get your own set of rules? Entitled people like you are the worst.”
She crossed her arms over her chest.
“That’s unfair. I’m honest about commitment. Women who date me know what they’re getting.”
Avery stared across the cove, chewing her lower lip. Her history with him told a different story.
