“Um, well, I wouldn’t refer to them as girlfriends. It’s more like I went on some dates. None of them reached girlfriend status.” Miles scratched the back of his neck with his free hand. “Wait, how did you know who I’ve dated?”
Avery’s blushing, guilty face had to be one of the best things he’d seen all week.
“Oh, that’s right, I caught you googling me.” He opened his mouth wide to feign shock.
“That’s not the point, Miles!” Her newly dewy lips twisted. “Are you saying you didn’t sleep withanyof them? Not one?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” He raised an eyebrow. “Definitely more than one.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, flattened her mouth, and stared out the window at the lake. Her pout was cute, but he didn’t want to sound like the player everyone labeled him as. Especially to her.
“Look, I know my life appears glamorous,” he said. “I don’t go to many parties, but I get photographed when I do. Friends have premieres or charities have galas. It sounds fun, but being in a big room with a lot of beautiful people can feel far lonelier than being by yourself. When seven people are sitting at a table set for eight, that empty chair speaks volumes. If I bring a date, people don’t try to set me up with their coworker, sister, or friend, or worse, offer me an invitation to join some exclusive celebrity dating app.”
“Oh, Miles,” she moaned and wiped away a fake tear, “you win the pity party.”
“I’m not asking for pity. My life feels, I don’t know, empty?” He readjusted himself in the doorframe. As an only child of only children, Miles should be used to being by himself. But sometimes it felt awkward, and not just at parties in the City. He loved this lake, but it couldbe isolating out there on the point, in his red A-frame.
“Montressa is kind of lonely with no staff around,” she said, as if she had read his mind. “Lily’s busy with the end of the school year. I’m trying to make myself useful whenever I can, but at night, there’s nothing to do here. I’ve binged so many shows I may finish Netflix.”
She scanned the series of Post-its on the wall. Miles stepped out of the doorway and planted himself next to her. Avery’s warm shoulder brushed his upper arm.
“A couple nights ago, I fell asleep watchingBride Warsand had nightmare about the reservation board,” she said.
Miles had never seenBride Wars. It sounded like a reality show, but if it caused nightmares, it must be a horror film.
“In my dream, instead of double-booking the Plaza at the same time as my best friend Kate Hudson, I double-booked Montressa’s entire summer.” Avery let out a laugh. “I kept saying we needed a new system, but Nate wouldn’t listen to me.”
Miles surveyed the board, chewing the inside of his cheek. “It’s a wonder they don’t double-book more often.”
“I don’t think there have been many opportunities lately. I’ve taken one reservation since I arrived two weeks ago.” She frowned. “People don’t know about Montressa. Here I am complaining about having nothing to do at night, but it’s peaceful and beautiful.”
“Yeah, I’ve run the numbers in my head,” he said. “In my estimation, at about fifty percent capacity, Montressa operates at a loss. If that happens for too long, they’ll have to sell or declare bankruptcy.”
Her head popped up, a spark of determination in her eyes.
“After Nate asked for our ideas, I’ve been thinking about how to fix this.” Avery rifled through some papers on the desk. She pulled out a pad with a handwritten list.
“This place could be full.” She pointed at the reservation board. “People want escapes, nature, serenity, rustic charm. That’s Montressa.Except they can’t find us because the Coopers haven’t modernized. People used to go on the same vacation every year, but not anymore. They get information from a device, not a mailed brochure.”
She pushed the pad into his chest, almost as a challenge. “I’m making a plan.”
Avery stood in quiet confidence as Miles skimmed a list of what seemed to be random thoughts: quaint, rustic, water,The Parent Trap, log cabins, camp for adults/families, fishing, swimming, water sports, weddings, family reunions, social media, website, reservation system. Her plan was clearly in the preliminary phase.
Avery rocked on her feet, clasping her hands and letting them go. She wiped them on her jeans and finally rested them on her hips.
“This is a good start,” he said. “Let me help you.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need you condescendingly telling me it’s a good start. I’m building an actionable framework,” she said. “You’re not the only one who knows how to run a business.”
She tried to snatch the pad from his hand. Yet again, the tiniest misstep had undone his goodwill. Flirting time was over. He held onto the edge of the pad in frustration.
“I said I’d help.” He gritted his teeth as he pulled. “I didn’t mean to insinuate I’m the only one who can do this.”
“Okay.” She pulled the pad away with a forceful tug. “So, what else should be on there?”
So as not to rattle the rattlesnake, Miles focused on her ideas. Countless people had thought about promoting the resort, but none attempted to fix it. Miles had checked out the Peppered Page website a few years ago, when he’d heard she’d made it big. It had been more than a standard storefront site. Customers could personalize their stationery, add their own photos, and see a preview of the finished product. He wasn’t sure whether she’d written the code for something that complicated or hired someone.
