Page 76 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

TWENTY-EIGHT

Seth

I’m trying, I really am.But I can’t keep my eyes off Mae’s legs.I’ve seen those legs a lot over the last couple of months.

But tonight.

Tonight those legs are suddenly a hundred times more sexy.And that’s saying a lot since I find Mae to be the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.She’s sitting in the passenger seat of the car, her body tense, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her black minidress.

“Are you okay?”I ask.

She gives me a tight smile.“Just nervous.I don’t want to mess this up.Tonight is too important.”

“I’m not worried.Those social media stars will be eating out of your palm.I’m actually wondering if maybe we should stop at a jewelry store and pick up a ring first.I don’t want anyone thinking you’re single.”

She reaches over and grabs my hand.“Seth.You’re the only one I’m going home with tonight.”

I lift up my pant leg.“Plus, I’m wearing my lucky socks.”

I glance down expecting to find the socks with Abi and I’s faces on them, but it’s a pair of socks with aliens on them.My chest warms a little.

“Thank you.I appreciate your support.”

We pull up to the casino, and I toss my keys to the valet and saunter over to the other side of the car.I don’t want to rush this.We are bound to have eyes on us.

The secret has been bandied about, and people are excited.The fifteen people we already have booked are milking the attention for all it’s worth.

I open Mae’s door, and she reaches out a manicured hand.I know she did it for tonight, but already I miss her short, plain fingernails.This Mae is gorgeous and sophisticated, and she could fit right into my world.But she doesn’t want it.And quite frankly, neither do I.

Not anymore.

I want Whisper Springs.When we go home, I’m taking off my suit.I can wear a t-shirt and jeans to work like everyone else.

And I won’t go broke.

Mae’s hand is followed by one of those stunning legs.And then another.I place a hand on her back, and just as we cross through the door into the blinking lights of slot machines and smokey air, the Hallston brothers are there.And I’m not surprised.Yesterday, they hounded us all day, but we were always surrounded by groups of people.The Hallston brothers fix up properties and flip them while doing YouTube videos with home improvement tips.

“Wow, you look hot tonight,” the older one says.I can’t remember which one is which.

Mae gives him one of her signature grins and shakes a finger in his face.“Flattery will get you nowhere.You should’ve taken my call three weeks ago.”

“Three weeks ago you were a nobody.”

“Jeremy told you I was legit.It’s not my fault you didn’t listen.”

I’m impressed that she knows which one is which.She’s good at making sure they feel wanted.She’s been schmoozing these two online for a while now.

He pouts, and it’s not a good look on him.Mae gives a good-natured laugh, loops her arm through both Jeremy and Jackson’s, and pulls them close to her.Jealousy flairs, and I have to remind myself that she’s working.

She drops her voice, and I strain to hear.

“I’ll tell you what.I’ll give you VIP passes to our presentation tonight that will get you in the front row.And then, when pre-sales open at our resort, you’ll be the first on my list to call.How does that sound?”

“Not as good as giving us a spot in your hideaway weekend.”

“I only have five spots left.And to figure out how to snag one of those, you’ll need to be at our presentation.”She drops their arms, opens her clutch, and pulls out two VIP passes.She makes eye contact with me, my cue.I slide forward and grab her hand.

“We’ve got to go set up.Good luck, boys.”

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