Until the moment when the mayor arrived via boat, Alexa was having a perfectly fine time at the party. It was hardly the social event of the season, but it was a beautiful day in a stunning spot with attractive people and strong drinks. Even though she didn’t know any of the guests, these were her people. Well, her clients anyway. As the Odyssey brand grew, her reach extended beyond Montecito and California to other clusters of travelers who could afford a luxury experience, and she had worked with many groups from Connecticut over the years. The faces all ran together but the overall impression was the same: moneyed and well-mannered.

Then the mayor of New York arrived and shook her up. She’d always had a thing for men on boats, no doubt because she grew up on an island. But even during her time in Montecito, when most of the female frothing was aimed at polo players and surfers, Alexa’s few long relationships had been with sailors. Fit, energetic, at home on the water and restless on land, which suited her style as well. Granted, the mayor arrived under motor power, not wind power, but he had the look of a man who was comfortable at sea.

Alexa paid attention to politics, because she was an engaged citizen of the world, in her own estimation, but tried not to get sucked into the day-to-day battles of her adopted homeland. She read her local paper, the Montecito Journal, which reported extensively on the three R’s—restaurants, retail, and real estate, all topics she adored. (Every digital issue started with the words “Good Morning MoJo-ers!”, a greeting that became her call to action.) For real news from the real world, Alexa’s preferred source was the BBC, as it always had been. Global context counted to her. She remained publicly nonpartisan as far as her clients were concerned; red money or blue money was all the same to her. But her knowledge of New York City politics was limited. She’d seen photos of Timothy Lynch, but not in the bow of an antique Chris-Craft Runabout with windblown hair. He was a very handsome man.

She watched as first Chase dashed to the mayor’s side, then a cater waiter to relieve Himself of his sandwiches. Next, Penny made her way to the water’s edge to greet her fiancé’s boss. Then Abigail and George joined in for handshakes and animated conversation, and then the small group turned to her and waved her over. Simon appeared at her side.