Page 77 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

The next hour is much of the same.Lots of people begging for an in on the secret and Mae handing out the other eight VIP passes.

Then we wander to the Horizon Room to make sure everything is set up.A harried organizer rushes up to us.“We’ve had to change your venue.”

“Why?”Mae asks.We’ve already walked the room.It was on the smaller side, intimate and perfect for a secret reveal.

“Because there were too many people who registered for the presentation.Everyone wants to be there.We’ve had to move you to the Luxe Ballroom.”

“But that’s huge.”

“It’s the only room that will accommodate everyone.I’ve still set aside ten seats front and center for your VIPs.”

The space looms before us, four times the size of the Horizon Room.We head back behind the stage to get everything set up.We go over the presentation again, and I reassure Mae that everything will be fine.After about thirty minutes, she peeks around the stage, and I step out from behind her.

Every seat is occupied, and people spill out onto the edges of the room, leaning against the walls and standing shoulder to shoulder.

“I can’t do this.”Mae looks at me with panicked eyes.“This is crazy.There’s too many people.”

“Yes, you can.You’ll do amazing.We’ve gone over this a hundred times, and besides, you know this information in and out.There’s no one who believes in Whisper Springs more than you do.”

She’s trembling.“What if I fall down?I don’t wear shoes like this ever.”

“Could’ve fooled me.Look around the room.You did this, Mae.Not me.”

She nods and swallows but still appears anxious.As lights dim she doesn’t hesitate.She gets fitted for her mike, and within seconds, she’s on stage.The room is quiet.Suddenly, everything goes dark.A few phone flashlights come on, but volunteers quickly get them turned off.

The screen behind Mae lights up with flashes of Whispers Springs.The pictures go quickly at first and then slow down until all that’s playing is a video of the river.

Mae begins, and every eye in the room is on her.

“Imagine a week of just this.No cell phones.No pressure.Just a river and your thoughts.A week of camping in absolute luxury.”The video shows an image of one of the glamping tents.“A week of yoga and five-star food.A week of horseback riding, tubing the river, and roasting s’mores at night.It’s a perfect blend of comfort and peace.Whisper Springs is not a place you’ll find on any map.It’s buried deep in the radio-free zone in West Virginia.That means no cell service.No wifi.Truly getting offline for a week.Twenty lucky people will join us next weekend.They’ll fly into the Roanoke Airport, where they’ll be greeted by our staff and escorted onto a private helicopter that will take them to our resort.Each person will have their own cabin or glamping tent.The point of the week is to unwind.To be pampered and to play.It’s an adult summer camp.Fifteen of these spots have already been taken.”Names of those who are coming flash on the screen.“Only five are left.But we’re not done yet.”

She launches into the resort, what it will entail, and when the pre-sale of the resident units will go on sale as well as what future hideaway weeks will look like.

“Would you like to know how to snag one of those remaining five spots?”

A cheer goes up in the crowd.

“We’re auctioning them off.One spot will go to one of our VIPs, and the rest will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.How much are you willing to pay for a week of this?”

The screen goes back to a picture of the peaceful river, and she explains how to bid for a spot.“We will close the auction at midnight.Winners will be notified in the morning.Once the deposit is made, we’ll arrange your flights and see you in a week.”

She gives the crowd a wave, and I meet her at the bottom of the stage before people even realize the presentation is over.

We escape out a side door and rush through the casino.We need to get out of there before anyone can catch us.Part of the allure is the exclusivity and the secrecy.If they can’t access us, it only increases the desire to be part of it.

The valet already has our car pulled up, and I open the door for her and rush over to my side.

Mae’s grinning from ear to ear.“That was incredible.”Her phone buzzes, and she squeals.“Abi just messaged me.We’ve already got fifty bids on those spots.”She starts hitting me on the arm and hyperventilating.“One of those people bid a half a million dollars.Holy cow.”

“You rocked it.I couldn’t have done that.Mae, you need to get used to this kind of money.This is the world I live in.”

Her grin falters.“But it’s not the world I live in.”

“But you will.”I pull her hands into mine.I didn’t mean to ruin her mood.“Even though we’ll stay in Whisper Springs, you’re about to marry me.I want you to be comfortable with my lifestyle.We’re not giving that up.”

She nods, her grin returning, and slides her hand along my tie.“As long as you promise to keep wearing suits like this every day, I promise I’ll get used to it.”

Well, there went that plan of switching to t-shirts and jeans like my brothers.

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