The limo idling at the curb releases the scent of buttery leather when Max opens the door.
Inside, the Rolls Royce resembles the inside of a jewelry box. Polished wood, soft lighting, and buttery leather seats.
“Water or champagne?” Max gestures toward the chilled mini-bar.
“Water, please.”
“And a treat for the little gentleman?” He produces a bone-shaped biscuit. Snorty accepts it with a happy little yip.
As we glide onto the Strip, I look at familiar icons right outside my window.
Maybe I'll never get to see Paris. But right in front of me is a fake Eiffel Tower. The Bellagio fountains spray water in intricate designs just like they do in the movies.
Caesar’s Palace looks exactly like a place I'd want to visit in ancient Rome.
And I also realize how many couples are here.
How many honeymoons.
How many weddings.
It's a city built for romance.
And here I am. With my dog.
“It doesn’t have to stay that way,” a tiny voice inside me whispers.
Even though I hate Rio Wilder, for one weekend, people will assume I’m the kind of woman a rockstar chooses.
A woman someone fights for.
A woman worth showing off in public.
Girls will look at me with envy.
And honestly?I could use a little envy right now.
Taking my lead, Snorty presses his nose against the window, a happy little puppy smile on his face.
What inspires his smile, I'm not sure. Could be that he's driven in a chauffeured Rolls Royce around Las Vegas.
Or maybe he's just thrilled a handsome uniformed chauffeur gave him a bone-shaped biscuit.
“Glad one of us is living the dream,” I say, stroking his fur.
We pull up to the sweeping driveway of the Las Palmas Hotel.The façade gleams in the rose-colored morning light. Gold trim, towering palms, and valet attendants dressed like casino royalty.
“Welcome to the Las Palmas Hotel,” the bellman says, opening my door with a movie-star smile.
He helps me out, then carries my luggage inside.
A woman with a sleek ponytail and a clipboard approaches.
“Ms. Smith?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Priscilla, your VIP Concierge. Prince Michael asked that you receive the full hospitality experience. Please follow me and I'll take you to your suite."
