Page 50 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“Online advertising is all well and good,” she says, setting the pencil down. “So is reaching out to former guests offering them discounts for a return stay. But we need to win the locals back too.”

I nod. “Go on.”

“The Beachfront’s been closed for so long, no one thinks about going to the beach here anymore, or using our dock for lake activities. Not to mention the pub’s been completely replaced. Everyone goes to The Merry Cow or—” She cuts herself off.

“The Launch Pad,” I say. Then I slam my jaw shut. Don’t remind her.

Yeah. Also, don’t remind you.

“Anyway.” Olivia holds my gaze for a moment, then shakes it off. “We need to do some promotion right here in town. For the locals. Like on Main Street. And we definitely need to bring back the fun.”

“How do you propose we do that?”

Her eyes light up. “Okay, I already looked into this, so I hope you don’t think it’s too crazy, but there’s a party rental place in Mayfield that has dunk tanks.”

“Whoa.” I cough out a laugh. “Dunk tanks? For real?”

“I want to set one up in that empty lot between the post office and the bank. Half the town goes by there every day. And on weekends there’s even more traffic. The Beachfront can sponsor the tank, and we’ll sell tickets for a chance to dunk me.”

“You?”

“Fun, right?” She grins. “Of course we’ll have to offer prizes besides that. Like discounts on an overnight stay at the inn. Or free appetizers and beverage at the pub. A private fishing lesson if I can get Three or Ford to donate their time. Which I know I can. Not to be overconfident. But. You know.” Her shoulders hitch. “Family.”

I blink, trying not to picture Olivia on a dunk tank platform in a bathing suit. “You’d be willing to do that?”

“For The Beachfront, I’d do anything.” She tips her chin. “And while we’re at it, we could set up a ballot box next to the tank for people to submit suggestions to rename the pub.”

I shake my head, not in disagreement, but in admiration.

“Oh.” Olivia’s face falls. “You don’t like the idea?”

“No. I love it,” I say. “I mean, I don’t love the idea of you freezing in a dunk tank, but …”

“Ah.” She wrinkles her nose. “Well, maybe no one will hit the target.”

“Are you kidding? Your family will be lined up around the block taking turns knocking you in.”

“You’re probably right.” A smile bursts across her face. “Big Mama’s got a pretty wicked fast ball.”

I lean back in my chair, chuckling. “I have no doubt.”

“And one more thing.” She picks up the pencil again and points it at me. “What if we set out donation bins for locals to drop off their old books for the inn’s new library? That way, they’ll feel like they’re a part of building up the library, and rebuilding the inn in general.”

“I’d say that’s really smart.”

“Great! I love community outreach.”

I puff out a chuckle. “You do?”

“Oh, for sure.” She pushes a smile across her face. “I have to spend so much of my work time online, it’s nice to connect with real people for a change. Like actual human interaction. It makes me happy.”

“I can see that.” I find myself grinning back at her.

“So. If you’re okay with all this, I’ll go ahead and make fliers and signs to put up around town, and share on our socials.”

“I’m more than okay with it, Liv. I think it’s incredible.”

She arches her brow. “Eat your heart out, Francine Tomlin.”

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