Julia glanced around the room, relieved to see it had already started to fill with a variety of people. She hadn’t known what to expect, wasn’t really sure what kind of people would be interested in a resort that promised an immersive rom-com experience. She’d had a vague sense it would be mostly women in their late twenties to early forties.

But now she realized that had been narrow-minded of her. And shortsighted. It was a good thing her initial expectations had been wrong, since the best location choice for a “Take Me!” piece would be a place that appealed to the interests of as many people as possible.

With that thought fresh in her mind, Julia began taking mental notes as people of a variety of ages and genders milled around the room—some alone, some in groups. Her attention snagged on a woman in an outfit that defied description. “Whoa.” Julia swiveled her head toward the front of the room. “You two need to check this out.”

Andie and Kat turned to follow the direction of her gaze.

“Whoa!” Kat’s eyes widened, mouth dropping open. “That’s a lot of pink … even for me.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I thought we weren’t supposed to be wearing costumes.”

“Maybe it’s not a costume,” Andie whispered back, unable to stop staring.

“You know, I’m guessing it’s the owner,” Julia mused. “Mrs. Wackyspoon or something…”

“Greetings, gentle guests!” they heard the woman declare in an overblown British accent that rivaled Kat’s. “I’m Mrs. Weatherfork.”

“Close enough,” Julia mumbled.

“And her outfit certainly is wacky,” Andie added, while Kat tittered.

“Quiet,” Julia ordered under her breath. “She’s the one responsible for comping our stay.”

That shut them up. They watched as Mrs. Weatherfork continued meandering through the crowd, greeting people as she went. Julia was still absorbing the impact of the resort owner’s bizarre costume when she realized several dogs were scampering around the woman’s feet. “Where did those corgis come from?”

“Under her skirt?” Andie suggested. “There’s so much material, she looks like she could keep a whole kennel up there.”

“Andie!” Julia chided. But she couldn’t keep a giggle from escaping. It was true. The woman was wearing an impressively voluminous gown, frothy folds of bright pink floating all around her as she approached them.

“Ah, ladies. Good evening.” The woman bowed her head and did an elaborate curtsy.

Julia glanced at her friends. They looked as bewildered as she felt. Nothing to do but wing it. She pasted a polite smile on her face. “Good evening,” she replied, and tried to copy whatever that bow/curtsy thing was. Beside her, Andie and Kat attempted to do the same. It was a miracle they avoided poking someone’s eye out. Good thing this wasn’t one of those Jane Austen reenactments or they’d be hopelessly lost.