Page 47 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

She sighs.“Therein lies the problem.It is astrophysics.I wanted to major in that at school, but I’ve always been horrible at math and science.Even with tutoring, I barely passed Algebra 2 in high school.After pretty much failing out of a whole semester of college algebra, I realized I had to choose something else.I’m a natural marketer.It comes easy to me, and I’m very good at it, so that’s what I did instead.But I don’t love it the way I love space.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me.Anything else about you I should know?”

She snuggles deep into my side.“Loads,” she says, her voice heavy.The meds must be catching up to her.

I send a quick text to my travel agent and ask for any alien or space-related activities in New York City.Within a few minutes, he sends me a link to an immersive deep space exhibit at a museum and an alien-themed restaurant in the city.I glance at the time.If we leave now, we can do both and still make it to the show with the others.I send another text to the car company I use and request a wheelchair as well.

“What are you doing?”Mae suddenly asks.I thought she’d fallen asleep.“You promised not to tell anyone.”

I plant a soft kiss on the top of her head, my heart fluttering at the touch of her silky hair.“I’m not.We’re gonna get out of here.”

“But my ankle,” she protests weakly, gesturing to her swollen joint.

“I ordered you a wheelchair,” I state, determination fueling my words.

“Seth, it’s not about that.I just want to stay here with you.”Her pleading eyes almost make me cancel the car.

“If we stay here, you know what’ll happen,” I tease, a smirk playing on my lips.

“Oh, I know exactly what will happen.”

“Ah, but we have to keep our relationship platonic.”I remind her with mock seriousness.

She pouts, her bottom lip jutting out in a way that makes me want to nibble on it.“I’m tired of keeping it platonic.”

“We can’t risk it,” I say regretfully.Forty-five years of friendship between Dad and Keith would just disappear overnight.

“It’s so frustrating though.”

“Whisper Springs is a prison,” I blurt, regretting the words as soon as they leave my mouth.I know how much she loves that place.

Mae’s eyebrows furrow in confusion.“But what about your plans?I thought you were going to take over your dad’s business.”

“Did you forget about India?You said you wanted to go with me,” I say.

“Yes, but you seemed to be settling in so well.I assumed you canceled the whole India thing.”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, avoiding her gaze.“I came back to fix things, but I can’t stay there forever.I need to get out and see the world.”

“But who will run the business?”Mae asks skeptically.“It’s only you and me right now doing the actual overseeing.There are lots of people doing other things, but this running the show, that’s all you and me.”

Her words hit me hard because she’s right.I haven’t sat down with any of my brothers to show them what we’ve been doing.

“I’ll figure something out,” I mutter, not wanting to think about the weight of my responsibility.

I can’t shake off the feeling that Mae never wanted to leave that small town.I had always assumed she shared my dream of escaping Whisper Springs and starting a new life together.We could always go back for visits, even extended visits, but I don’t want to live there full-time.

My phone buzzes with a message from the hotel concierge.“Car’s here.Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a secret,” I say with a smile as I reach down and sweep her into my arms, careful not to jostle her ankle.

“Are you planning on carrying me all day?Not that I’m complaining, just curious.”

I chuckle.“No, no.The wheelchair is waiting for us downstairs, remember?But for now, let’s enjoy this.”

She rests her head on my shoulder as we walk through the opulent lobby filled with chandeliers and marble floors—a far cry from Whisper Springs.As we exit the hotel, leaving behind the possibility of messing things up, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.

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