Chapter 20
AVERY
Idon’t know why it bugs me that Max is planning to stay in an unfinished apartment, but I can’t get it out of my head.
I’ve gone through several options, trying to come up with a different solution.
Normally, I’m not bothered by things like this, but just the humanity of being able to sleep in a comfortable bed matters.
Then again, I’m surprised he doesn’t just stay at a hotel in the next town over. Sure, it’s a fifteen-minute drive, but wouldn’t that be worth it versus sleeping on an air mattress for an extended amount of time?
I don’t have any good solutions, though, because my apartment is already full.
When Cora isn’t here, I’m in the main bedroom, and Lila has the other room full-time.
When Cora is home, I usually sleep on the pull-out couch.
Is it comfortable? Not really. But given how often my sister has been gone lately, I haven’t had to worry about it too much.
Do I tell Max that he can sleep on it? I can bunk with Cora until she takes off again, which is most likely within a day or two.
That would be a mess whenever Cora came home.
I can help with the blanket and sheet situation, though, because we love blankets in our family, and it’s the least I can do to help.
I grab a couple from the closet and throw them in the washer since they’ve been sitting there for a while.
I don’t know why I suddenly feel the need to take care of a grown man, but maybe it’s because he’s supported my business when few others have.
Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s getting the apartments done so we can finally have neighbors and not feel like this building is abandoned.
Or because I’m starting to have feelings for him.
I head downstairs to the coffee shop and tie on an apron, glancing toward the front door and wishing there was already a line waiting outside. Sarah is in the back, doing some dance in front of her phone. I can only hope this video isn’t meant for our social media.
The benefit of the reflective windows is that the sun doesn’t shine through so brightly.
I get the pastries into the oven and make sure we have coffee brewing. Stepping out onto the street, I look toward the diner where a crowd of people is already gathering.
How hard would it be to walk five minutes this way?
Soon enough, I see Max walking down the street with a large bag in his hand.
“Did you find an air mattress?” I ask.
He flashes his bright smile at me and it takes everything in me to keep a neutral expression.
“I did. What are you doing out here?”
“Well, I was trying to see what’s with the commotion down there.” I point toward the crowd waiting outside the diner.
“Would you be up for a few suggestions?” Max asks, looking as though he’s tiptoeing into the conversation.
“What suggestions?” I ask.
He takes a deep breath before saying, “Just a few ideas I’ve thought of when it comes to your shop.”
As much as I don’t want the criticisms, I have to do something, anything, to get paying customers in. And Max has only ever been kind with his advice.
“I’m listening,” I say.
“The hard part about your signage is that no one can tell it’s a coffee shop.”
I frown. “What are you talking about? Honey & Harbor is a name I spent a long time coming up with.” I step out farther so I can see the sign more clearly. It wasn’t as expensive as the coffee machines, but it definitely cost more than a few dollars.
He looks like he’s debating whether to continue the conversation, and I brace myself for his words. He obviously knows something, and I need to be willing to accept the advice if it could save my business.
“Go on.”
“I was coming here this morning and heard a few people standing out here talking about your place, trying to figure out what it was. I’ve mentioned to a few people about your coffee shop, usually using it as a landmark to describe where things are, and most people are confused and haven’t heard about a ‘coffee shop in town.’”
My frown only deepens. “What are you talking about? Aren’t they able to smell the coffee from here?”
He takes a slow breath. “Maybe, but that could mean many things. It could just be an office building with a coffee machine. Honey & Harbor sounds like a gift shop, or maybe something to do with tea.”
All my defenses rise immediately, irritation burning through me. I fold my arms across my chest and ask, “Anything else?”
It’s not the most mature response, but it’s all I’ve got right now.
“I think you should take down the reflective glass and put in blinds instead. You could get one of those easel signs that detail your specials. Change the name to something that clearly denotes coffee. Maybe even put a couple of tables outside so people can enjoy the beach while sipping their drinks.”
“You have a lot of opinions for someone who’s going to be sleeping on an air mattress tonight,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.
The hard part is that everything he’s saying sounds reasonable. Worse, it sounds like it might solve many of my problems.
Am I happy about it? No.
Because I’ve been run over a lot in my life, and I don’t want that to keep happening.
But he’s not pushing, and that’s significant.
He gives me a small smile before looking down and nudging a rock with his shoe.
“I’ve had to do a lot of business evaluations in the past, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up.
Any changes now, before the busy season starts, would be best for your business.
If people don’t know for sure that you’re selling coffee, they probably won’t come in. ”
I breathe out, trying to keep my composure. “I appreciate your honesty,” I say, fighting the emotion in my voice.
He studies me for a moment. “But you don’t like it.”
“Am I that readable?”
“I just know from past experience that people feel protective over something they’ve built.”
I let out a slow breath. “I’ve been in situations where people tried to take away all of my opinions and replace them with their own.”
“Like what?”
“My ex-boyfriend tried to dictate everything. He ordered for me at restaurants and criticized my wardrobe.” I have to choke back a bubble of anger when I say, “He tried to temper me at work, saying I was too emotional or I couldn’t handle the bigger clients.”
Max’s jaw tightens and he shifts from one foot to the other.
“I promise I’m not trying to do that. I just don’t want to see you suffer because your business isn’t running successfully.
There are only so many months, weeks, or days a shop can survive if it’s not profitable.
” His voice softens and he takes a small step closer, reaching out to touch my hand with his.
“I won’t take offense if you don’t agree with any of the things I’ve said or don’t want to take them into account.
But as someone who’s come to care about you, I wanted to say something that might help. ”
My stomach flips at the combination of his words and his touch. It’s gentle and sends a zip of something up my spine.
“I appreciate that,” I say, genuinely meaning it.
We’re so close. Our eyes are locked until I glance down at his lips, which I shouldn’t have done. When I look back at him, he’s glancing at my lips too, at least that’s what it looks like. Maybe I’m making the whole thing up.
“Good afternoon, Avery!” a voice calls from the other sidewalk.
It’s Eliza, who I met just a few days ago. She looks like she’s getting ready to paint another mural in town. Her talent is unmatched, and I’m grateful for her work on them. They definitely brighten the town.
Her greeting breaks whatever is holding Max and me together, and I turn to wave at her.
Max lifts the bag in his hands. “I’m going to go make sure this air mattress blows up. Let me know if you need help with anything.”
I laugh. “What do you mean by that? It’s brand new.”
“I feel like my luck has been terrible lately. Running out of gas and just…a lot of stress. I’m hoping there isn’t some random hole in this mattress so I can actually relax, sleep, and get through everything this week.”
I wave him off with a smile. “Good luck with that.”
He disappears up the stairs toward the apartments, and I turn back to evaluate my shop, thinking through his suggestions.
I take several steps backward and cross the street, standing on the sidewalk so I can take in the full picture of the storefront.
From here, I can barely even read the name of my shop, and with the reflective glass, I can see why no one can tell what it is.
No wonder I’ve had such a hard time getting people to come in. I feel like an idiot for not seeing it sooner.
I thought the things I’d done were good ideas, but being a lawyer clearly didn’t translate into being a good businesswoman.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, Max is right.
I pull out my phone and text Sarah, telling her not to worry about coming in tomorrow. Then I walk over and close the shop, knowing I’ve got a lot of things I need to fix in the next few days.
There’s something about having a trial run before the busy season starts that makes me feel slightly better. If I can make the changes now, maybe I’ll see some improvement in profits before summer fully hits.
First stop: taking down the reflective glass.
Then I’ll have to ask Talia who she recommends for window coverings, because there are going to be times when I’ll need to shield customers and employees from the blaring evening sun.
I also need to think about a rebrand.
Sadly, there are already several things stamped with Honey & Harbor, but I can always reorder them after I come up with a new name and logo.
I thought everything was perfect two weeks ago when I opened the shop, but I guess it’s better to course-correct now than wait until later.
I pull out a step stool and start peeling away the reflective material from the windows.
Here’s to a new business and another chance at making this work.
We’ll see if Max’s suggestions help by the time The Season begins. I only hope he’s going to stick around a while longer.