She blinked again. “Does that mean I’m off the hook?”
“All right. Fine. As long as you don’t tell all your celebrity friends what I said.” He helped her up into a sitting position.
She chuckled.
He could hardly even bring himself to scowl at her, so instead he said, “And you, Mia Emerson, are a snorter.”
She gasped. “I am not.”
“Like a happy horse.”
“Ahorse?” She elbowed him, chuckling.
A tap sounded on the door. It was still open, so he could easily see Molly leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed, a dustrag in her hand. She looked every bit as innocent as Mia had a few seconds ago.
“Need any help with your... project?” Molly asked, wide-eyed.
“Are you finished cleaning the rooms?”
“No...”
“Then we don’t need any help.”
“All right then.” She gave Levi a knowing smirk before she turned. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“That leaves a very broad gap,” he called after her.
Mia gave him a questioning look. “What was that about?”
“Sibling stuff.” He grabbed the rug. “Why don’t we haul this into the bathroom.”
Mia grabbed her end, and they carried the rug into the bathroom, his face heated.
What was he doing, rolling around on the floor with a guest? WithMia Emerson, no less? If he’d caught Molly doing that when Adam was a guest he would’ve sat her down and given her a nice long lecture about boundaries. Of course, he’d apologized to her for that, but he never dreamed he’d find himself on Molly’s side of this equation.
What had gotten into him? His gaze drifted to Mia with her pert little nose, creamy skin, and melodic laughter. Mia had gotten into him, that’s what. She’d gotten under his skin and right into his heart.
Oh, for crying out loud, he was even sounding like Molly.
They set down the rug and went back into the bedroom.
“I’ll start over on that side,” Mia said, “and you can start over there.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Probably best they stay on opposite sides of the room, since he couldn’t seem to keep his hands to himself.
twenty-nine
Mia worked on her lines the next day in the shady backyard of the inn, her feet propped on the footrest, her script opened on her lap. The dialogue forLesser Dayswas terrific. She couldn’t wait to read lines with the other actors. Couldn’t wait to bring the part of Fiona to life.
Out on the lake a lone boat drifted by, its white sail billowing on a breeze. The leaves shimmied overhead, and the smell of freshly cut grass hung in the air. It was so relaxing here. A nice break from the hustle and bustle of LA, though she was starting to get twitchy. She missed her work.
A text came in from Brooke, who was fretting about a job. Mia texted her back, assuring her it would all work out. Brooke was a pro, but she had a lot of self-doubt.
A sound at the back of the inn made her turn around.
Molly, wearing a white top and khaki shorts, was rolling out the garden hose.
“Hi, Molly.”
