They arrived at the yacht fashionably late. Correction: the arrived at the Play Buoy fashionably late. The marina was only a few minutes’ walk from the resort, so they stopped for one cocktail along the boardwalk at Tarpon Bend. Inevitably, one quick one turned into a few and finally Spencer texted, Ladies, we can’t hold sunset for you!!! Once at the Play Buoy, Jade held onto Jenny’s arm as they made their way over the gangway, where a member of the crew directed them to deposit their stilettos in a basket. There was a large crowd milling about. Bejeweled barefoot women in Lily Pulitzer dresses that clung to their augmented breasts, coupled with men in Tommy Bahama shirts and the requisite pressed khakis. They all looked like money, and Jenny and Jade held their own.

They grabbed flutes of champagne from a passing server, scantily clad in a tight little nautical number, and scanned the crowd, determining where to make their first move. “No one looks familiar from yesterday. Do you recognize anyone, Jen?”

“Turn around. Isn’t that the guy—the bodyguard?—who was hovering all over Spencer yesterday? He must be close by.”

Instead of turning around, Jade’s smile brightened and she thrust her tits out. “Jorge! What are you doing here?" She hugged him tight, pressing her full body against his.

Jenny spun around. Her face felt flushed. She didn’t know why she felt so guilty. After all, she was a grown-ass woman and it was the weekend and she was allowed to be out blowing off steam. Even if campaigning was supposed to be a 24/7 ordeal, everyone needs a break.

“What are you doing here?” Jenny smoothed down the hem of her short dress.

“Great to see you, too!”

“I mean, don’t you have a campaign event in Miami? You can’t afford to take any time off.”

“Well, neither can my campaign manager, yet here you are in Key West.” He laughed as a Sophia Vergara lookalike sidled up to him.

“Hey there,” said Jenny. “Looking radiant as ever.”

“Jade, let me introduce you to my fiancée Solina. Solina, this is Jade.” They all kissed on both cheeks and engaged in idle chit chat for a moment. “Solina, why don’t you show Jade around Spencer’s 82-foot penis extension? Jenny and I have a little business to discuss. But watch out for that one, she’s nothing but trouble!”

“Jorrrrrge!” Jade giggled as Solina took her hand and led her away.

Jenny and Jorge stepped off to the side, hoping to go under the radar before someone inevitably recognized him. “Fiancée? Really Jorge?” Jenny rolled her eyes.

“Please, please tell me that wasn’t you having a poolside fuck-fest yesterday. Please.” He was not happy.

“What are you talking about?” Jenny thought she might throw up.

“Our friend Spencer texted me some photos earlier. Said it was a preview, promising plenty of action today. It’s not professional quality, but it sure as hell looks like you. And Jade.”

What in the ever-loving fuck? Her legs suddenly weak, she leaned against the cabin, fearing she might pass out, right here.

“Listen, I don’t care who you fuck, or what you fuck, as long as you do your fucking in private! Who’s going to take seriously an Assistant State Attorney running for office when his chief assistant AND campaign manager by day is a hedonistic slut by night?” His tone was angry, but his politician’s face was smooth, eyes crinkled a little, mouth curved up like they were just having a nice, innocent little conversation. Almost imperceptibly his eyes flashed beyond her, giving a sly wink and a nod. Jenny glanced back to see Marc, his new rent-boy, pass by with a grin.

Now Jenny was pissed. “I don’t know, maybe all those sleazy donors whose dirty money you’re courting?”

He laughed. “So you think maybe I should commission you for more? Do you think that would be a legit campaign expense? That prick Sires cannot beat me. Any means necessary, right?”

They both gulped champagne. “Is Marc a legit campaign expense?” she asked sarcastically. “To tell you the truth, I am all about any means necessary. But yesterday was about me. I had to blow off some steam. Yes, I should have been more discreet. I was caught up in the moment. We are going balls-out between work and politicking, and it was either me commit a murder, or, um, I guess,” she ducked her head a little and giggled nervously, “fuck my best friend.”

They both laughed. Hard.

“You’ve come a long way from the wide-eyed, altruistic law grad who interned for me…how many years ago?”

“You don’t really want to talk numbers, do you?” As Jenny and Jorge both traded empty glasses for full, a man tapped Jorge on the back. Damn it, here it goes.

Ever the cool politician, Jorge took a sip and then casually looked back over his shoulder, reflexively extending his right hand for a shake. “Nino, brother!” They hugged and slapped each other’s backs.

“Nino, this is Jenny, she works for me at the DA’s office, and she’s also my campaign manager. Jenny, you’ve heard me mention Nino, he manages the family properties here in Key West.”

Holy shit. He was smokin’. How had she never met Nino before? Jenny put her sweaty palm out. “I guess you could call me a Jen of all trades.” She alone laughed at her joke. God, why do I have to be such a dork? Nino gave her the once over and smiled before turning to Jorge.

“Look brother, I know this is a quick trip, but let’s grab a con leche in the morning before you head out.” Jorge agreed, and Jenny felt an electric current when he grabbed and lightly kissed her hand before turning away. He was so hot, he could get away with something cheesy like that.

They both watched him walk away, intercepted by a statuesque red head in a sleeveless dress that was a little too Brickell Avenue business for a sunset sail. Jorge pivots back to Jenny. “Oh god, that’s Amy what’s-her-name. She’s an alum…” he trails off, snapping his fingers as if to make her last name appear out of thin air.

Jenny looks up and then quickly away when their eyes make contact. “Oh yes, I know Amy Altman. We were in the same class.” Please don’t come over. Please don’t come ever, Jenny willed. But let’s face it: there was no worry there, because who would walk away from Nino?

“That’s it! She’s a lobbyist, reached out and said she could help the campaign. I don’t know. I asked Marc to call her back.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were touching base with lobbyists?”

“Not plural. She reached out, I was just going to reply out of alumni courtesy. I’ll keep you in the loop, but in the meantime, I hope she doesn’t pounce on me here.”

“Um yeah, doesn’t look like you’re the one she wants to pounce on…” Jenny gibed.

Jorge ignored her. “Anyway, just be careful. I love Jade, but she’s a pampered girl living a charmed life who has nothing to lose. We have everything to lose right now.”

“I know, I know. Except I might be addicted to her! Or maybe I’m just becoming addicted to sex without Jack. But that’s a story for after the campaign. Hey, Solina hasn’t tired of being your beard yet?”

“Jen, who would tire of the glamourous life of a top prosecutor and aspiring politician?” His tone dripped with sarcasm. “To be honest, as long as I keep her in Dior and Louboutins, everyone is happy.”

“I should be so lucky.” Bitterness over the long, thankless nights and weekends she devoted to his campaign rose like bile in her throat.

Stepping out of the main cabin, Solina slinked over to join them, turning heads every step of the way.

“Where’s Jade?” Jenny asks.

“We got to chatting with Spencer inside, and he took us into the master bedroom, where, let’s just say, a hot little party was getting started. He mentioned a video, gave us a preview. While they got touchy-feely, I deleted it. I’m pretty sure. Almost positive. You’re welcome. By the way, that was hot.”

Solina held her gaze, and Jenny blushed. She wasn’t sure if this was a subtle come-on. Had she been missing out on signals like this all these years?

“I better track down Jade and make sure she doesn’t get too out of control. I see some of Roger’s associates around, and you know how her husband just loves to be cuckolded.” At least now I do, she thought to herself. “Jorge, we good?”

“We’re good.” He leaned in and admonished her. “Just please, remember, anything you do, do it in absolute privacy! At least for now. Love you.” They kissed cheeks and Jenny headed for the cabin.

Next Chapter: The Cabin