The cocktail waitress is back, spotting Brody and Brooks with Ken has piqued her interest. Maybe they're not celebrities, but one look at the three of them together and it's obvious to anyone with eyes that they're the heirs to this entire place. To all of Star Resorts. To ignore Brody or Brooks would be to ignore Ken.

"Doll, please get these four a drink," Ken says. "Whatever they want."

Kind of him. Not like it's an open bar or anything.

"Right away, Mr. Brooks." She flashes her smile and flips her hair back. Basic. Her death stare at me is almost too predictable. I tighten my hand on Brooks again.

"Let's go," Brooks mumbles, taking advantage of the momentary silence.

We walk the length of the bar. Brooks says hello to people he knows and points out people he recognizes –old acquaintances, his father's business partners, resort investors, etc. It's obvious that no one knows who we are or cares.

"If I say hi to everyone and they all see me, then my dad can't give me shit later." Brooks explains to be under his breath.

"Got it. Showing face." I nod.

The hors d'oeuvres start. Trays are waltzed around by nimble servers –trays with fancy appetizers I've never seen before.

Brooks sets his glass down right on the edge of the bar when Brody comes walking up. "Don't get too comfortable. We're being summoned again."

"I'm out. You represent me," Brooks scowls, taking another sip from his glass.

"Oh no, absolutely not. Come on." Brody tugs on his brother's arm.

"This won't take long," Brooks says, eyes locking on mine. I nod.

"Why do I get the feeling this is gonna happen all night long?" Lauren asks. We watch the two of them disappear into the crowd again.

"Because it will." I examine the glass in my own hand. Beautiful crystal, heavy crystal. It looks like it was cut from the chandelier, like little pieces fell down and formed glasses.

"Well, shall we?" Lauren says, holding her arm out.

She's so pleasant I can't even say no. I can't even tell her all I really want to do is sit and wait for Brooks.

"We shall," I say, discarding my glass and linking my arm through hers.

"With any luck, we'll be able to snag some rich celebrities," she smirks. I laugh. You know, Lauren would make an excellent sister wife. Not like sister wife, but pseudo sister wife.

Fuck me.

"Not them," Lauren says, nodding to a group of middle-aged men surrounding one of the cocktail waitresses.

"Nope," I agree, steering us sideways through the second archway. "Not them."

"Definitely not them," Lauren laughs. I follow her eyes to a group of hipster bros wearing black skinny jeans and leather jackets. Vape pen on the belt.

"Fuck no," I curse under my breath. My sister wife laughs.

"Oh my god! I just LOVE your dress." I hear next to us. I turn, looking for the commotion.

Three glamorous women, a little older than me, probably 30, are walking up to us. They all have the same drink, matching umbrellas on the rims. The one closest to us is staring right at me. I realize it must have been she who talked.

"Thanks," I say.

"Where's it from?" She asks. Like she cares. She's wearing a floor-length dress, champagne gold, with a pearl beaded bodice. She looks fucking famous. Can't place her.

"Online. Lulus." I smile at her, suddenly a little self-conscious about my $85 wrap dress.

Her two friends are now complimenting Lauren's hair, asking if it's real. Maybe they mean to be nice, the way women think throwing out a compliment will make you all the sudden best friends. Really, it just feels like they're picking us apart with a fine-tooth comb.

"It's so great to see women our age," the first girl says. "I'm Rachel. And these are Jenna and Shay."

"Hi, I'm Emmy. This is Lauren."

I smile at the other two women. Jenna is in an all-black gown with a mock neckline and statement earrings. Shay's sapphire dress cascades over her bod like a waterfall. The only things sharper than the diamond ring weighing down her hand are her cheekbones. Never have I ever seen anyone rock a high pony so well.

"So," Rachel says. "How are you two here? Are you up-and-comers? Influencers?"

"We are friends of the family," I say, leaving it vague.

"The family?" Jenna asks, coy.

"The family of the hotel," I mumble. Stop offering information, Em.

"Oh, you know Ken? I mean, Mr. Brooks," Rachel laughs. She must think the name-drop impresses us. If only she knew. She tosses her hair over her shoulder.

"Yes, a long time." Something weird is happening to my voice and I don't like it.

"And how did you ladies come to be here?" Lauren chimes in, saving me from having to speak again. Very Trix of her.

Maybe she can sense my weird voice.

"Oh, Shay here is dating him." Jenna fixes her eyes on a tall figure standing just behind them.

No shit.

"We're just the guests," Rachel says, exaggerating. "Lucky we happened to be in Miami. If you two know Ken, you must be from New Jersey?"

"Actually," I blurt out, low key hating the way she says New Jersey. "I live in Seattle. I'm just in for the weekend."

"And I'm from Georgia." Lauren says.

"Georgia. That's so close," Jenna laughs.

Literally not.

"It's actually a whole state away," Lauren shrugs.

"So," Rachel says, clapping her hands together. "Just here for the weekend you say? Browsing your options? These types of galas are great to meet someone."

"Seriously, have you seen some of the men around here?" Jenna's eyes sweep the room.

"You two, stop, please," Shay says, rolling her eyes. Dude, this bitch is pure class. I can't stop staring at her face.

"Sorry we can't all have a rich and famous boyfriend," Jenna sighs.

"Though that is on my to-do list. Along with some of these men," Rachel smirks.

"Oh, I know. It's like being attractive was a requirement tonight," I say.

"Fine by me," Jenna says. "Have you seen the two ones that were walking around with Ken? Must be models. Maybe for the new hotel campaign?"

I spit out my drink mid-sip. Yes, like they do in the movies. Lauren smirks next to me. I side eye her and she's laughing. She shakes her head a fraction of an inch.

"No! Haven't seen them yet. Good-looking?" Lauren asks, forehead creased.

"Good-looking doesn't even begin to cover it," Rachel says. Jenna nods beside her. Shay is already bored with us.

"Are they famous? Actors maybe?" Lauren asks.

"Actually, I think they're musicians. A boy band maybe," I say, nodding. I'm dying.

"Musicians? Ohh, why don't you go talk to them?" Lauren asks, turning to Rachel.

"Yea. You are browsing, right?" I add encouragement. Jenna scoffs.

"Please. Ladies, you wait for these types of guys to come to you," Jenna says, like duh. Like we are ten year-olds getting a lesson from a thirteen year-old.

"That hardly seems right," I laugh.

"Yea, just walk up and grab one and kiss them!" Lauren is egging them on. My inner self is cracking up.

People really can't pick up what you put down, huh?

"OK," Rachel says, her wine glass switching hands. "If that's all you need to do. You do it."

"There's one now," Jenna says, her eyes craning over the nearby tables. "And there's the other."

Brody and Brooks appear from a cloud of cigar smoke. I can read Brooks's eyes from across the room. He's in no mood to be fucked with.

"Yea, go do it." I give Lauren a little push on her back. With a little wink she flips her hair, turns on the spot, and marches up to Brody.

The kiss could be in a movie.

"What!" Rachel exclaims.

"NO way!" Jenna echoes.

"Man, look at her go," I laugh.

Lauren looks over at us, giving the thumbs up. I give a fake clap for her fake performance. Rachel and Jenna are busy picking up their jaws.