“We just got word from the harbor. The storm is passing. The ferries will be here first thing in the morning to take us back to Key West.”
Cheers erupted. People hugged each other. A few actually cried with relief.
“So we made it,” someone called out. “We survived the apocalypse party!”
More cheers. Someone started chanting “Turn on the music! Turn on the music!”
Sarah looked at Carlos. “We have enough fuel?”
“Plenty. Storm’s already slowing. We can run the generator for a couple hours.”
“Do it.”
Carlos grinned and headed for the generator. A minute later, music blasted through the speakers. The DJ, who’d been napping in the corner, jumped up and started mixing. Spring breakers flooded the makeshift dance floor.
For the next few hours, Sarah and Lizzie joined in the fun. The two of them, Carlos, and Maria played a round of Jenga, which didn’t last long because Carlos had the worst hand-eye coordination known to man. Then, Maria served up a dinner of Cuban sandwiches, and then, Lizzie showed off the few cords Jasper had taught her when she went through her guitar learning phase.
After that, Maria went off to prepare a snack for everyone-peanut butter on crackers-while Carlos went to join his crew in playing cards.
Sarah felt Lizzie’s hand slip into hers. The touch was brief, just a squeeze, then Lizzie let go before anyone could notice.
But the message was clear.
Sarah leaned close enough to whisper. “Come with me.”
She led Lizzie toward the kitchen, passing Maria with a tray as she exited. Sarah walked to the pantry and grabbed a jar of peanut butter from the shelf. The good kind, creamy and organic.
Lizzie raised an eyebrow. “What’s that for?”
“Are you allergic to peanuts?”
“No. Why?”
Sarah grinned. “You’ll see.”
Behind the kitchen was a small room that used to be maid’s quarters. There was a bed, a small bathroom, basic furniture. Sarah had been sleeping here since the storm hit. Well, whatever little sleep she’d managed to get.
She pulled Lizzie inside and locked the door.
The room was dim. Just the glow from the kitchen filtering in through the transom window above the door. Music thumped from the other room, but it was muffled here. Private.
“I’ve been thinking about you all evening,” Sarah said, setting the peanut butter on the nightstand. “I want to show you something.” Sarah sat on the edge of the bed. “I want to show you that I can be fun. That I’m not always the ice queen general manager.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me. Besides, you showed me that earlier, in the storage room.” A grin spread across her face and Sarah mimicked it.
“I know. But I want to anyway.” Sarah picked up the jar. “I had a girlfriend after I left… that doesn’t matter. I had a girlfriend for a while. She introduced me to some things.”
“What kind of things?”
“Fun things.” Sarah unscrewed the lid. “Things I haven’t done in years because I was too busy being professional and perfect and safe.”
Lizzie’s eyes went dark. “Show me.”
Sarah stood and started undressing. She took her time, letting Lizzie watch. When she was naked, she lay back on the bed.
“Your turn.”
Lizzie stripped quickly. She climbed onto the bed and straddled Sarah’s hips.
