Page 37 of A Newport Christmess

“I wear a five.”

Sophia’s gaze flicked to my feet. “I think they have them that small. I’ll double-check and let Nikki know.”

I released Nikki and moved to Sophia, giving her a hug. “Thank you for everything.”

Shockingly, she returned my embrace. “You’re going to look amazing.”

“Thanks to you.”

Sophia flicked her hand toward the ceiling. “A dress can only get a woman so far. It’s how she holds herself while wearing it that matters.”

“That’s true. But I’ll be holding myself with more confidence because of your beautiful dress.”

She dipped her chin in acceptance of my compliment.

“Have fun on the Cliff Walk.” Nikki smiled at me, then glanced toward her brother. “Oh, and I talked to the nursing home. They said Grandma’s more cognizant in the mornings if we want to visit her Saturday or Sunday right after breakfast.”

“Conveniently, my schedule is free.” He sent her a knowing grin. “Let me know what works best for you.”

Landon opened the door, and when I stepped past him, he placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me through. Despite how my whole body tingled, I smiled up at him like it was the most natural thing in the world to have his hand on me.

“Bravo,” I said when we stepped out of view of the large windows that looked out over the parking lot. “I think I underestimated your acting skills.”

He unlocked the passenger door to a black, well-used truck, and I hopped in. “You looked great in the dress, so my reaction felt entirely natural.”

He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side, and my breath seemed to freeze in my chest. He thought I looked great in the dress? “Nikki was adequately shocked to see you,” I said when he’d climbed in, trying not to dwell on his indirect compliment.

“Hopefully.” He grinned. “So where do you want to go to lunch? There are several places here in Providence, or we can head back to Newport.”

I fidgeted with my seatbelt. “We don’t really have to go out. I’m pretty sure we achieved what you came for.”

Landon turned the key in the ignition. “She’ll ask us about it later. If I don’t take you, she’ll know.”

I had a lot of work to do on the gingerbread houses. Between the day I’d lost from my Benadryl-induced sleep, yesterday afternoon’s trip to Bowen’s Wharf, and now the dress fitting, I was no longer ahead of schedule. The wedding was in eight days, which meant all four gingerbread houses needed to be done and ready to be transported in six. I’d need at least a full day for decorating each of the houses and two for Rosecliff. One day of padding was all I had if anything took longer than expected. If I lost any more of today, then I’d be cutting it close.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Unless you don’t want to go.”

“I do,” I said, unable to disappoint him. “And I’m fine with whatever you want for lunch. I’m pretty easy.”

* * *

Landon parked the car along a narrow street, still grinning to himself as he pulled the keys from the ignition.

I leveled my gaze at him. “It’s not that funny. I don’t like fish ... or lobster. Really, anything that lives in the water.”

He chuckled. “Which is completely fine, but why didn’t you tell me that at any point before we ordered you a lobster roll?”

I released my seatbelt and shifted toward him in the seat. “I hate inconveniencing people, and you seemed so excited about the place. Besides, I’d thought there’d probably be something on the menu that wasn’t seafood, and when that didn’t prove true, I decided to just give it a try. I thought maybe I didn’t dislike seafood as much as I remembered. But once it was sitting in front of me, the fishy smell confirmed I still did.”

Landon watched me with a thoughtful expression. “You’re a mystery to me. How can you hate inconveniencing people one minute and tell someone exactly how you feel the next?”

“Actually, with most people, I rarely blurt out whatever’s on my mind.”

“So I’m one of the lucky few?”

I sent him an apologetic smile. “Or unlucky, depending on how you look at it.”

“I’ll go with lucky.” When he opened the truck’s door, a burst of frigid air replaced the heated air. “Ready?”