Cruising down US1 with the convertible top down, Jenny cranked the stereo and shouted lyrics to her favorite songs, gorgeous and free as the wind whipped through her long blonde locks. Then she got to a red light and caught a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror. Instead of resembling Christie Brinkley’s sexy cinematic Vacation-trademark tousle, she channeled more of a modern-day Medusa. Frantic, she searched the glove box for anything to tame this tangled mess, coming up empty-handed. Typical.

Digging deep into the beach tote on the seat next to her, she retrieved a lint-covered hair elastic. She fashioned a messy ponytail as the light turned green, gunned the engine, and sped off. She was late meeting her girlfriend Jade in Key West for a girls’ weekend. She hadn’t seen much of Jade these past few months, but with her husband off on a business trip, Jade was ready to make the most of her freedom. And Jenny was long overdue for a break from her job and Jorge’s campaign.

Rolling up to the waterfront resort, a dark and handsome young valet dashed over to open her door. Surveying the scene, she liked what she saw: Lamborghinis, Porsches, BMWs, and the expensive-looking men to whom they belonged. Excellent sign. Jenny was ready for some action. She swept some red gloss over her pouty lips, grabbed her bag, and swiveled long tan legs out of the car.

The bellman, a near-clone of the valet, removed her bags. Blinking hard, she did her best to follow him through the dim lobby, eyes readjusting from the bright sun. “Jenny!” Jade yelled, sliding off her stool in the lobby bar. She ran over to Jenny, planting a big warm kiss on her lips, lingering, before enveloping her in a tight hug. Jenny was a little taken aback at the kiss. One, because they never greeted each other this way, and two, because it ignited a spark deep inside her. She wasn’t prepared for this. It bothered her. She shouldn’t have this feeling for her friend. Should she?

Jade gave the bellman their suite number and took Jenny’s delicate hand (still no engagement ring, Jade noticed), yanking her into the bar. “Here,” She patted the barstool next to her, and Jenny sat while Jade pushed her drink over. “This is amazing.” Jenny picked up the icy, peach-hued cocktail. “I forget what it is, but I’m on my second!” It wasn’t yet noon. Jenny sipped. Then gulped. It was delicious. “Mmmm, I love it.” As she set the glass down, she realized she had drained it.

“Rafael!” Jade held the glass out in front of her, twisting her hand back and forth, tinkling the melting ice. “Hit me! And my gorgeous friend too, please!”

Jenny made eye contact with Rafael, who winked at her with a sly smile. This resort was like the land of Beautiful People, and Rafael was no exception. Every male employee sported the same profile: short dark hair, tanned skin, toned body—a veritable army of Ricky Martins. Beautiful indeed.

Shit. Jenny’s ringless hand shot up and patted her hair, remembering the mess on top of her head. This wouldn’t do. “Be right back!” Over Jade’s protests she grabbed her bag and found the nearest ladies’ room. Jenny released her mane and shook it out over her shoulders. She did have great hair, thick and wavy, the most perfect shade of honey blonde money could buy. She ran her brush through to give it a mere semblance of order. This now-tousled style gave her a hint of bad-girl edge. She adjusted her tastefully done, perfectly pert B cups. Cleavage poured out over her short black cotton tank dress. Now, another quick swipe of lip gloss. She stepped to the full-length mirror and liked what she saw. She had nailed it, from the top of her head to her lilac polished toes, ensconced in strappy silver sandals.

She sauntered back through the lobby and into the bar, turning more than a few heads on the way. Jade was talking to a prep school-looking guy in his mid-40’s: tall, athletic, boyishly handsome. He raked his fingers through chestnut brown hair, styled to fall over one eye. Rafael set their cocktails down, and Jenny caught his eyes lingering on her cleavage. She sat down and after a moment, Jade swiveled back to face Jenny, her face radiant and youthful. Jenny was sure she must be doing fillers now. Jade laid a delicate hand on prep-school’s forearm. “This is Spencer Preston, a client of Roger’s, and the reason we’re here.” Electricity coursed through Jenny when he pressed her hand between two palms.

“I can’t thank you ladies enough for agreeing to come and lend a touch of class to my little soirée.” He propped himself against the bar. “While he’s a great guy and brilliant investment banker, I must admit I’m no longer disappointed your husband couldn’t make it.” From the way Jade gazed at him with her signature Cheshire cat grin, she wasn’t disappointed Roger couldn’t make it either.

He tilted his head towards a table of men. “I’ve got to get back to my business partners, but when you get to the pool give your name to the host and he’ll lead you to your cabana.”

They said goodbye, he kissed Jade on the cheek, and ambled away.

“Damn, I wouldn’t mind a piece of that action. But first, check you out!” Leaning back, Jade scrutinized Jenny. “Gorgeous. As if I expected anything less.” She reached over and cupped Jenny’s breasts in her hands. Shocked, Jenny sprang back and crossed her arms in front of her chest. Jade laughed. “Nice tits, babe. You didn’t have those the last time I saw you.”

Jenny took a big swig of her drink. Then two. A warm wave passed over her. Finally, the alcohol had loosened her up. When had she become so uptight? She swiveled towards Jade. “Sorry, I’m a little tense from the drive. I don’t have to tell you, traffic driving down the Keys is the worst.” Another gulp. “Enough about road rage. Girl, you are a vision! Caliente doesn’t begin to describe you.” She devoured Jade with her eyes: long shiny black hair, green eyes, olive skin, and legs that went on for days. Jade’s nipples were at full attention under her clingy white sundress, leaving little to the imagination. Oh my god, I’m wet. Jenny crossed her legs.

Jade, tipsy, enveloped Jenny in a sloppy embrace. Jade’s scent was tropical. Delicious. Edible. She put a hand on Jenny’s knee and squeezed. “Thank you for coming this weekend. I’ve missed you so much.” Jade inclined towards her, their faces now inches apart. Jenny felt a tingle as Jade’s hand drifted up her sinewy tan leg, thumb twitching its way further up her inner thigh. Unnerved, Jenny grabbed her cocktail and held onto it with both hands. Oh my. The heat. If only she could place the cold glass between her legs to douse the fire.

“Things with Roger have been, um, they’ve been a little tense. He doesn’t understand me. Sometimes it’s like I’m living—no, suffocating—in a gilded cage.” She sighed and peered out in the direction of the lobby, Spencer’s table in their line of sight. They were leaving, and he stood and waved. “I look forward to seeing more of you later!” Jade nodded overzealously and waved back, flashing a bright smile. She’s had her teeth whitened for sure.

She circles her attention back to Jenny. “But enough about Roger. When the cat’s away, the mice will play!" She gave Jenny’s thigh a firm squeeze and raised her glass. "To forever friends, partners in crime, and…and, going off the rails this weekend!” They clinked glasses and guzzled their cocktails. Like the old days. Jade ordered another round for them to bring to their suite. “Come on, let’s change and get to the pool. Spencer’s going to see a whole lot more of me!”

The stark white suite was gorgeous, offset by window-walls overlooking sparkling turquoise waves. They wasted no time unpacking, and right away, Jade shed her clothes, without a care. But I guess if you had a body like Jade’s, petite and trim (thanks more to good genes than discipline), you’d have no reason to ever feel self-conscious. They had never been completely modest in front of each other, but it didn’t matter then, because Jenny never considered Jade sexually. Until now. Jade pulled a tiny white thong over her hips. Her mound was completely bald. Jade noticed Jenny catch herself staring.

“I had my Brazilian done yesterday, feel how smooth I am.” She sauntered over to where Jenny stood and grabbed her hand, placing it down the front of her thong. Jenny was paralyzed. What could she do except try to play it cool? She locked onto Jade’s emerald eyes as she touched silky-smooth skin underneath her fingertips. Jade shifted her legs apart a tiny bit, almost imperceptibly. But enough that Jenny snapped back into reality, becoming aware that as she caressed Jade’s pubic bone, one errant finger traced Jade’s slit, about to go deeper. “Oh, wow,” she mumbled and snapped her hand away. “Like velvet.” Stepping back, she grabbed her bikini off the bed, making a beeline for the bathroom. “Be back in a jiff!”

She closed the door behind her and pressed against it, studying herself in the mirror above the sink. What was going on? How had she never noticed Jade was so uninhibited? Or more like, when had she become a stereotypical uptight attorney?

She inhaled deeply and peeled her dress off, keeping her eyes on the mirror. She hadn’t worn underwear. She reached down to her landing strip, skimming further, a warm wave passing over her body. Her hand on her friend’s smooth cleft got her so wet. Wetter. Oh god.

As she reached up with her free hand to caress her hardening nipples, a knock at the door startled her. “What are you doing in there? Let’s go down and worship the sun…or at least some buns!” They both laughed. “One more minute!” Jenny inched into a black thong and bikini top, checked herself out in the mirror, and opened the door. Jade, wearing a net cover up which wasn’t covering anything up, watched Jenny emerge. Jenny shrugged on a thin kimono, which skimmed her ass. Ok, it’s possible she wasn’t as uptight as she feared. And she hadn’t been attending a brutal bikini body bootcamp for nothing. As they slung their beach bags over their shoulders and walked out the door Jade said, “Girl, we are going to break some hearts this weekend. Or at the very least, some balls!” They stumbled, cracking themselves up, and headed for the elevator.

Next Chapter: The Pool