“Jil Taillou is our art dealer,” Samantha explained. “He used to work at Sotheby’s.”

“He’s a lovely man.” Frankie smiled.

“Oh, I love Jil.” Judy beamed. Now she remembered she’d heard he was everyone’s new favorite walker, the social euphemism for a delightful gentleman escort, who by and large was a little “light” in his Tod’s loafers.

The strains of Stevie Wonder singing “My Cherie Amour” began wafting over the boat. Judy looked at the full moon reflected on the ocean and began to sway. “My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore / You’re the only girl my heart beats for / How I wish that you were mine.” Standing beside Samantha with Stevie Wonder singing in the middle of the Atlantic, Judy felt an almost overwhelming rush of utter bliss. Samantha Acton would have to come to one of her dinner parties. After all, she had gotten her on Paul Rodman’s yacht. Judy closed her eyes and imagined her seating chart. She had been told of such physical and mental harmony in her Ashtanga yoga class but she herself had never experienced it before.

At the moment of Judy’s nirvana Barry Santorini first saw Samantha Acton.

“Who the fuck is that?” he asked Adrienne as soon as he walked on the ship.

“Which one?”

“The drop-dead gorgeous one. The classy one. The one who’s hot as hell.”

“Everyone on our boat is classy. Everyone on this boat is hot as hell. Are you talking about me, Barry?” Adrienne slipped her hand on his leg.

“Don’t fuck around with me, Adrienne. Who is that?” he said, pointing directly to Samantha.

“That’s Dr. Francesca Weissman, our pediatrician.”

“Adrienne, I know who the hell Frankie Weissman is, she’s my kids’ doctor. You think she’s hot as hell? No wonder you don’t work in Hollywood anymore. I’m going over to say hello.”

“I’ll introduce you.” Adrienne walked beside him.

“Don’t do me any favors. I can do my own reconnaissance.”

“Barry, where’s Clarice and the kids?”

“What are you, my mother?”

“No, but Paul’s mother is downstairs. Want to help me drown her?” Adrienne laughed.

“Clarice is back on our boat with the kids. She’s got a stomachache tonight.”

“I’m sorry.” Adrienne acted suitably concerned.

“Me too. I like family vacations. It’s great to be with her and the kids. There’s nothing like family. Excuse me, Adrienne.”

Barry walked right up to Frankie, Judy, and Samantha. He ignored the others, and looked Samantha directly in the eye.

“Hi. Barry Santorini. Want to dance?”

Samantha knew exactly who he was, and perhaps because of her husband immediately noticed his pockmarked skin.

“Do you know my friends Frankie Weissman and Judy Tremont?” she diverted him.

“Dr. Weissman. I’ll tell Clarice you’re here. She and Brooke have a stomach thing.” He kept his eye on Samantha the entire time. “Maybe you should come over and see them.”

“I’m afraid I’m not on call,” Frankie answered.

Judy piped in. “I’m friends with Clarice, too. I’m sorry she’s not feeling well. She’s such a wonderful mother.”