mirror. Mia was gazing approvingly at Molly’s gown—same color but a slightly different style than Grace’s.
Mia was fully made up and wearing a pretty sundress, her long, wavy blonde hair down around her shoulders. She looked, well, like a movie star.
Mia turned and her green eyes lit up at the sight of Grace. “Oh, Grace! You look amazing in that dress. Doesn’t she, Molly?”
Her sister was already coming close to flitter around Grace. “It really does suit you.”
“I think the chest needs to be taken in.”
Molly fussed with Grace’s bodice, and Grace swatted her hands away.
“You probably just need the right bra. But if it needs an alteration the seamstress can do it.”
“She’ll be right in,” Mia said. “She had to take a phone call.”
“Are you getting excited?” Molly asked Mia. “A week from tomorrow you’ll be walking down the aisle!”
“I can’t wait. But we have so much to do before the wedding. This week is a whirlwind of appointments and details. And honestly, I’m mostly just excited about starting our life together in LA.” She winced. “I know that means taking Levi away from you, though, and I promise we’ll make a point to get together as often as possible.”
“It’s a lot of change,” Molly said, “but mostly good stuff. I’ll be headed to Italy before we know it. And Grace is ready to give Blue Ridge Outfitters a permanent home.”
“I’m excited for you both. Have you had any more interest in the inn?”
“We had a showing yesterday, but I don’t think anything will come of it.”
“What?” Grace said. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“You were hiking with Wyatt. It was an older gentleman from Hendersonville, and he didn’t really seem like the inn type. I think he was just being nosy. We still have that couple from Charlotte coming tomorrow.”
Mia’s eyes sharpened on Grace. “Who’s this Wyatt?”
Heat inched up Grace’s neck. She faced the mirror and fussed with the bodice. “He’s just a guest. I’ve taken him on a couple of guided treks.”
Molly smirked. “He’s midtwenties, very hot, and Grace has a date with him tonight.”
Mia’s eyes lit and she smiled wide. “That’s super, Grace. What will you wear?”
“Um, I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to scrounge up a pair of dress pants or something. I don’t even know where he’s taking me. It’s a surprise.”
Mia beamed. “Ooh, a surprise.”
“You should ask him what to wear,” Molly said. “You can’t assume he’ll take you to a fancy restaurant or something.”
They discussed where he might take her before the conversation flowed to Mia’s upcoming film and all the things going on in Hollywood. They were laughing their heads off by the time the seamstress entered, measuring tape draped around her neck.
“All right, ladies, let’s get you ready for this beautiful wedding!”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Picking up a woman for a date had never been so easy. Wyatt checked the mirror one last time before he left his room. His heart was thudding as he walked down the hall. He wiped his palms down his jeans before he tapped on Grace’s door. Did she have her own set of butterflies flittering around her stomach?
The door swept open, and all thoughts of nerves vanished at the sight of her. It wasn’t her long blonde hair, full of waves and begging to be caught up in his hands. Or the easy, off-the-shoulder white top. It was her shy smile and the hint of anticipation lighting her blue eyes.
“You look amazing.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “I guess anything beats T-shirts and hiking boots. Am I dressed okay for whatever you’ve got planned?”
He raked his gaze over her. “You’re perfect.”
She rubbed her lips together. “You look nice too.”
He smiled as he took her hand and drew her out of the room. “Let’s go.”
“Do I get any hints at least?”
He loved the tension that crackled between them at mere eye contact. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
They took the steps, and once they reached the ground floor he was relieved to see that her brother was busy at the front desk with a customer. Levi had been cordial enough since he sucker punched Wyatt, but he was clearly reserving judgment. Wyatt wasn’t sure if Levi knew about this date, but now wasn’t the optimal time for that revelation.
When Grace headed toward the front door, he tugged her hand. “Nope. This way.”
“Okay . . .” She followed him down the hall and out the back door. Once the dock came into view it only took her a few seconds