“Okay, well they’re definitely outdoorsy, hiking, four-wheeling, they just want to hang out with all their friends and family, they’re all super close.”
“I think the barbecue for sure then. We can set up some four-wheeling, maybe riding with Liam?” I grab a notebook and start feverishly writing. “We could call it anI Do Barbecue,make the guys grill down on the cove. Oh! Maybe Willow could do a little acoustic set down there? They’re coming that weekend right?”
“Girl. How does your brain go that fast?” she asks, looking over my shoulder before sitting next to me.
Her office is casual, looking more like a dining room than an office. She has a large wooden table and chairs in here, from Liam if I had to guess. It’s decorated like a chic New York mansion but with touches of rustic barn. It’s honestly perfect. If I were to ever get married again, this is exactly the place I’d want.
“I don’t think it does. You’re the one with all the themed ideas.” I shrug.
“No way. I’ve been trying to come up with stuff for weeks. That’s why I enlisted you. What do you have for the day of thewedding? They want to do some special stuff with their bridal parties.”
“What if we ask Victoria’s to do facials, manicures, and pedicures the day of? Is that who’s doing their hair and makeup?”
Her wide eyes tell me it’s not. “Shit! I was supposed to book that! Oh my God. I’m the actual worst!”
I pull out my phone, dialing up the salon immediately.
“Good morning, this is Victoria, how can I help you?” The stylist greets me.
“Hi! I’m calling to see if you have any availability Saturday, two weeks from this weekend? For a bride and two maids, plus two moms.”
“Hold on one moment, let me check our calendar.” I secretly cross my fingers under the table. “I’m sorry. But it looks like we are fully booked that day. Would you like some recommendations of other salons in the area that might be able to help you?”
Emma's shoulders deflate in defeat. I know she’s beating herself up over forgetting.
“Sure that would be great, do you mind texting or emailing them over to me?”
“Of course, just give me the email address when you’re ready.”
I rattle off the email from the business card that Emma slid over to me while I was talking. After hanging up, Emma is in full blown panic mode, pacing back and forth in the small space.
“What am I going to do? Are you good at hair and makeup?” She stops to look at me.
“Um, for sure not. We could probably talk to Lily. She likes makeup.” I laugh, but she narrows her eyes at me.Not the time for jokes.
“Oh! Lacey!” She points at my phone like I’m supposed to know who this is. I shrug in response to her. “Willow’s sister!She has a salon in Lupine Valley where Willow and Gunnar live part time. I know she doesn’t work weekends, but maybe she’d make an exception in trade for a weekend at the inn with her husband.” She starts dialing her own phone.
“Um, one problem. Isn’t the inn entirely booked with guests?”
“Shoot. You’re right. Oh! Wyatt! Call him. Ask him if the studio cabin is empty.”
I don’t question how her brain is working right now, I just text Wyatt as I’m told.
Me:Emma wants to know if the studio cabin is empty?
Wyatt:For what?
Me:Not really sure how her brain is operating at the moment under stress, but I think she wants to offer it to Lacey and her husband for the weekend in exchange for Lacey coming to do hair and makeup at the wedding.
Wyatt:For Lacey and Colton ONLY, it’s open. No guests other than family though, tell her I fucking mean that this time. I’m not getting saddled with weirdo overflow guests from the inn again.
Me:Thanks, got it. Will make sure it’s just Lacey. Promise.
“He said it’sonlyopen for Lacey and Colton. No one else.”
She gives me a thumbs up, sits again next to me, and places her phone on the table.
“Lace, you’re on speaker with Aubrey.”