The Tourist Attraction (Moose Springs, Alaska #1)(89)

Upon seeing the table and sheer amount of wax waiting for her, Zoey’s body stopped of its own accord, unwilling to move past the doorway.

“On the table.” Grace ignored Zoey’s internal panic attack. “Are we still doing a Brazilian wax?”

“I think so?”

Raising another eyebrow at her squeak, Grace glanced at Lana.

“Of course she is. Now undress, love. We can’t get all spiffy with our clothes in the way.”

Nervously, Zoey did as she was told and lay down on the torture table.

“It’s nothing to be scared of.” Sitting on a chair next to Zoey’s head, Lana gave her a reassuring squeeze of her hand. “I do this all the time. All they will do is—”

Grace gasped, mumbling, “What in the world?”

“What?” Pushing herself up to her elbows, Zoey cast about frantically. “What’s wrong?”

“I mean, do the words daily moisturizer mean nothing to you?”

“Down there?”

Grace and Lana shared a look. “It’s okay,” her friend promised. “It’s never too late to start wrinkle repair.”

“I have wrinkles?”

“Well, they certainly aren’t laugh lines,” Grace said dryly.

“Until recently, that part of you didn’t have much to laugh about, did it?” Lana shrugged. “If nothing else, the handsome boy has put a spring in your step. Now, let’s make it easier for him to see the forest for the trees.”

“That analogy doesn’t even make sense—ow ow ow!” With an impossibly loud rip, Zoey saw nothing but stars. “This was a terrible idea.”

“Agreed.” Nodding, Lana patted her head. “But now that you’ve taken the right steps, it should be easier next time. I never even feel it when I’m being done. What are you getting?”

“I’m sorry?”

“It’ll be a while before it matters,” Grace muttered, rolling her shoulders to loosen them before going back in.

“Hey! I’m not that bad.”

Lana stole a peek, then clucked her tongue. “You’re not that good.”

“Don’t look!”

“Oh nonsense. It’s not anything I haven’t seen before. Now, some get a heart, some a little strip, but Grace’s claim to fame is the moose.”

“I’m sorry?”

“A moose.” Lana turned her phone to Zoey, waggling an image of the animal in question. “Tall, big horns, the town is named after them.”

“I know what moose are. I just never imagined one…down there.”

“Get the moose,” Lana encouraged her.

“You’re not joking? This can’t be a thing.”

“Oh, it’s not just a thing. Grace’s signature moose is Moose Springs’ second rite of passage. You should definitely get one.” Peeking one more time, Lana’s face creased in concern. “Hmm. Might want to brace yourself.”

When Grace’s brows knitted together in determination, Zoey knew she was in for a rough time of it. Things went downhill for a while, and in between her yelps and several attempts to crawl half-naked from the table, Lana did her best to distract Zoey.

“We’re watching the fireworks tonight from the veranda. Killian reserved it. You can bring Graham if you want.”

“Lana, why in the world would he want to go? These are the same people you’re trying to sell pieces of his home to.”

“Oh, he won’t be mad forever.” Despite her dismissive tone, there was worry in her eyes. “Graham doesn’t hold a grudge.”

“I don’t know. I’m not from here, so I don’t have to live with what he does. But I saw him in pain. Real, heart-wrenching pain. And what you’re doing is only going to make things worse.”

“Worse than letting the town die?”

Another rip had Zoey hiding her face beneath her arm from embarrassment. Lana tilted her head, nodding in approval.

“Stop looking!” Zoey squeaked. “There are friendship boundaries, Lana.”

“Are there?” Lana flapped her hand in dismissal. “You know you should have done this days ago. You’ll be awfully raw tonight.”

“I hadn’t really planned on…” Zoey trailed off.

“The delicious diner owner making you swoon? Understandable. I see a moose horn. Oh, well done, Grace. You truly are skilled. She’s quite the fixer-upper, isn’t she?”

“I’m taking my break early,” the stylist said as she started on the final rips.

Lana’s phone began to chime, and she hopped up, squeezing Zoey’s hand. “I have to take this. Come tonight, just for a little while. I want to clear the air with Graham. He’s not returning my calls.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Zoey promised. “But I won’t force him to go if he doesn’t want to—ahh!”

With an expression of victory, Grace held up a waxing strip. “Finished. I feel like I just came back from war.”

“You and me both.” Whimpering, Zoey and her freshly minted moose paid and tipped Grace, then they both limped out of the spa.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” Grass asked as she passed through the lobby.