Chapter 16
16
“ H ere’s your latest campaign,” Maileah said, showing Junie the results on her laptop. She had set it up on the counter at her sister’s store inside the Majestic.
Maileah was proud of her sister’s impeccable taste and merchandising instincts. Junie had transformed the old toiletries and T-shirts gift shop into a stylish boutique with fashionable resort clothes and unique handcrafted items from local artists and artisans.
While there was a lull in customer traffic, Maileah showed Junie the advertising metrics she needed to review and manage.
“I’ve automated most of your ads and marketing, so you only need to monitor the numbers. There is a daily cap on the ad spend, and your customers will receive a series of emails after they purchase.”
“I can’t believe you set all this up,” Junie said, her eyes widening. “This is so professional. How did you figure this out?”
“This is what I did at work, only with a few more zeros on the end.” She inclined her head. “Why does that surprise you?”
“It shouldn’t, I guess.” Junie shrugged. “I remember you and Mark talking about marketing, but it didn’t register with me at the time. I was focused on the merchandise assortment, and he managed that side of the business. I didn’t realize this was so powerful.”
“It’s what I know how to do.” Maileah only spoke about her work a little because few of her friends and family understood the technical aspects.
Grinning, Junie folded her arms and looked at her sister. “I always thought of you as organizing events, throwing parties, and going out all the time.”
“I did that, too.”
Maileah recalled some of the parties for clients. Little was accomplished, especially the next day, but the company had money to burn. Until the stock price plummeted. “That was all part of my job.” Now it seemed a lifetime ago.
“Well, I love what you’ve done,” Junie said. “I can already see an increase in my sales numbers.”
Being able to do that for her sister felt good. “And you’ll see more once the algorithms know more about your ideal customer.”
Junie hugged her. “Thank you for doing all this. It’s over my head.”
“You’ll learn it,” Maileah replied.
Even though Junie had a nest egg, she wanted to see her succeed in doing what she loved after suffering so long after Mark’s death. And Maileah knew how quickly funds could evaporate. Thankfully, Junie was more pragmatic than she had been.
“Now for the important update.” Junie’s eyes flashed with excitement. “How are you and Todd doing? I want to hear all about your first kiss.”
Maileah shook her head.
“Don’t give up too quickly.” Junie patted her arm reassuringly. “Give it time. Nice guys are like that; they can grow on you. Look at Knox. I couldn’t imagine my life without him now.”
“No, it’s over. We agreed we weren’t right for each other. He’s seeing one of Babe’s old sorority sisters now, and they’re a much better match.”
Looking crestfallen, Junie sighed. “I’m so sorry to hear that. He seemed so right for you.”
“Honestly, he would have bored me to death.”
A customer arrived and began to browse, so Maileah closed her laptop. “Anyway, I’m meeting someone else soon at the cafe. Who knows? He could be the one.”
“Another man from the dating app?”
“The last one. I had a weak moment.” She smoothed a floral skirt she’d bought at Babe’s and paired with a white shirt she already had. “What do you think about the outfit?”
Junie held up a finger. “Wait. It needs something.” She withdrew a malachite necklace from a glass jewelry case. “This is from a local artist. It matches your eyes and completes the outfit.”
“Thanks, I’ll bring it back.” Maileah admired it as she slipped it over her head. “If anyone asks, I’ll send them to you. Or sell it off my neck.”
Junie was still staring at her. “There’s something else that’s different about you. You’ve changed since you moved.”
Maileah considered that. “I realized what I do with my life depends on me. No one can do it for me. As for getting married, what would that solve?”
“You’re waiting for love.” A smile lit Junie’s face.
Maileah shook her head. “That might never be. After seeing what happened between Mom and Dad, I decided to take responsibility for myself. So that’s what I’m doing.”
She glanced at Junie’s customer. “You’re busy, so I’ll see you later.”
After walking to the cafe, Maileah sat under an umbrella, ordered coffee, and opened her laptop. She paused to appreciate the sun shimmering over the ocean. The mild, briny scent of the sea was omnipresent.
Jake would be here soon, but she wanted to add something she’d just thought about to Sailor’s proposal.
Thinking about him, she glanced toward the beach. But he wasn’t at the bike concession. An older, quite fit man was in charge. Maybe Sailor had finally conceded that job to someone else. As he should, she thought.
If he liked her idea, he would be plenty busy.
After adding her new thoughts to the presentation, she checked her phone. No message from Jake, the new date. He was late. Still, he might not be familiar with Crown Island.
She sent him a message. I’m at the Majestic Cafe. Need directions?
She watched the phone for a minute, but no message came back. Maybe he was driving.
Maileah turned back to her computer, which immediately dinged with an email. When she opened it, she smiled. She had returned to visit with Margaret, the woman who owned a shop on Orange Avenue. After giving her a proposal, the other woman had reviewed it. Now, she was ready to go with it.
Feeling elated, Maileah pumped her fist. She had her first official client, and it felt good. It wasn’t much, but it was a chance to prove herself among the community on Crown Island. She would also work on the summer festival with her mother, although she didn’t expect any payment for that. The networking would be enough.
Reinvigorated by her first paying engagement, she worked until the dinner crowd began to arrive. Jake was now an hour late yet, still no message.
She’d been ghosted.
Having been guilty of that in the past, she had no room to criticize. She understood. Maybe a sure thing had come along.
She was officially out of that race. She had more to celebrate anyway .
Maileah paid for her coffee, dropped the necklace off at Junie’s, and started back home. Even though the cottage was just a small rental, it was the first place she’d had on her own that she thought of as home. That felt good.
After turning onto Orange Blossom Way, she slowed as she approached Sailor’s home. He was outside wearing a black wetsuit and unloading his surfboard.
She pulled to the curb and called out from her convertible, “How were the waves?”
He put down his board and turned, looking pleasantly surprised to see her. “Pretty decent today. I worked on my technique.”
“I saw your replacement at the bike concession.”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “Skeeter talked some sense into me. That’s one of Dad’s friends who needed something to occupy his mind. Still, I’ll check on him when I’m here. How was your date?”
“How did you know about that?” She’d stepped outside to take that call. “Were you listening?”
“The kitchen window was open. I could hear you on the porch.”
“You should tell people about that.” Still, she waved that off with her hand. “Doesn’t matter. The guy was a no-show.”
“His loss, for sure.”
Sailor began peeling his wetsuit from his arms and chest, revealing his athletic, muscular physique. She had to admire his dedication to his sport.
He caught her eye and stopped at his waist. “I’ll be right back, but don’t go anywhere, okay?”
As Maileah waited, her mind raced. She’d been mulling over this proposal for days but needed the right time to discuss it with him.
He returned wearing a T-shirt and board shorts. “Are you busy tonight?”
“Maybe. What did you have in mind?”
“How about taking my boat out? There’s a full moon tonight, and a little take-out stand on the other side of the island. Best fish tacos you’ll ever have.”
Being out on the water sounded enticing, and it would clear her mind. “Since I trusted you on the grilled cheese, I have to say yes to tacos.”
“I’ll shower and pick you up in an hour. Is that enough time?”
“I’ll see you then.” She turned the corner and pulled into her parking area.
She changed into jeans and boat shoes and tied a sweatshirt around her shoulders for later. As she got ready, she wondered if Skeeter would join them. Since she was staying with Sailor, Maileah imagined she would.
That thought calmed her jittery nerves. Not that she was concerned about going out on a boat with Sailor. She trusted him, although she wasn’t sure why. Maybe she should be more cautious with her heart, but it was too late for that.
However, the last thing she wanted to do was ruin their friendship.