Jill meanders over to the pool, sits on the side, and drags a foot through the water. “So, Margot, do tell. What’s the family drama?”

Margot’s eyes are still hidden behind her Jackie O glasses, and she lifts her margarita glass to her lips, takes a sip. Next to her, Callie stiffens as if she already knows the answer and is bracing for Margot’s reply.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Margot says dismissively.

“Kiddo stuff or hubby stuff?” Jill prods.

“Hubby stuff, if you must know, but seriously, drop it.”

Then Margot turns to me as if letting me in on a group secret. “Not everyone’s in this perfect relationship where their husband thinks they’re an angel.” She dips a finger into her margarita, swirls it around, takes it out and licks it.

“I am not,” Jill says.

“No shit,” Margot says, sitting up and adjusting her top.

I take a long sip of the margarita, and my mouth puckers at the tanginess of it.

“But Alex, excuse me, Alexander, fucking worships you. If only he knew—”

Jill cuts her off, her thin voice teetering. “And that’s why we keep our stuff a secret.” She looks like she’s on the verge of tears, and she stares down into the pool water, her eyes trained on the tiny waves she’s making with her legs.

“Of course,” Margot says, her tone softer. “Sorry, Jilly. I’m just on edge. Jed is stressed out at work and he’s taking it all out on me.”

* * *

—

I THINK OF his recent picture on Facebook, his almost menacing expression, and wonder if this is true. And I wonder, again, if Jed has found out about Brad.

“You should try fucking him sometimes. It does wonders,” Jill says. An impish grin spreads across her face. She lowers herself into the pool but immediately scrambles back to the side and climbs out. Goose bumps line her flesh, and the tips of her dark hair are dripping with water.

“A little does go a long way,” Tina pipes up.

Her glass is empty and she stands and saunters over to the giant pitcher for a refill.

“In Shreveport this past weekend, I had sex with Bill,” she says conspiratorially. “I wasn’t even in the mood, but we were in the hotel room and I knew he needed it. So, I did it! Quick and easy, like folding laundry,” she says, licking the salt off the rim of her glass. “And I must say, I actually got into it once we started. I mean, when we first got together, I couldn’t peel myself off of him, but after ten years of marriage, it does start to get a little predictable,” she giggles.

No one is laughing with her or even really listening. I feel bad, so I smile and nod as if I understand everything she’s saying.

Margot rises from her chair, slinks over to the pool. Dips a toe in the water. Her olive skin is slick with suntan oil and she absentmindedly rubs the tops of her thighs.

“How long has it been?” Jill asks Margot.

“God, would you ever fuck off with that?” Callie snaps from across the pool.

“And you really need to get some,” Jill says, pointing at Callie. Callie shoots her the middle finger.

“How ’bout you, Sophie?” Jill asks. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows arch and there’s a trace of a slur in her voice. The booze is catching up to her. My cheeks flame. All eyes are glued on me.

I stutter, and consider lying, but instead I tell the truth. “Last night.”

“See? That’s why she’s glowing. It’s okaaay to have sex with your spouse, even if you hate ’em,” Jill says with too much glee oozing out of her small frame.

“Okay, hot shit,” Callie says. She’s standing now, hands parked on her hips. “Why don’t you tell Sophie about the chest of drawers?”

I have no idea where this is going so I take another slug of my margarita, giving myself instant brain freeze.

“Absolutely not,” Jill says.

A barking laugh erupts from Tina. “Sorry, Jill.”

I’m too intrigued and starting to feel buzzed so I blurt out, “What is Callie talking about?”

Jill’s face turns scarlet and she crosses her arms in front of her waist.

“Alex and Jill have a secret dresser. Dedicated to their sex toys! The bottom drawer is for the whips—”

“Stop!” Jill whines.

“The next one is for the restraints,” Callie says. A smirk ripples across her lips. “And the next one—”

“I hardly know her,” Jill says, gesturing toward me. “She’s gonna think I’m such a freak!”

“I’m okay with it,” I offer, mainly because I am so intrigued and beguiled by Jill and how this demure, petite woman is apparently into bondage.

“They are into crazy, freaky shit,” Callie continues. “Alex barking like a dog while Jill whips him, Alex wearing a cuff around his neck while his arms are in restraints.”

This is the most I’ve ever heard come out of Callie.

“If only the hospital staff knew what a very bad boy Alex has been,” Callie says, licking a line of margarita slush off her well-lipsticked lips.

Instead of looking angry, Jill seems to be actually blushing with pride, tipsy and swaying on the deck to Beyoncé, who’s piped through the outdoor sound system. She looks to me to see if I’m rattled, so there’s only one way to show her I’m not.

“Sounds fun,” I say, lifting an eyebrow.

I feel Margot’s eyes on me, alert and intrigued. “Do you guys do that kinky shit?”

There she is again, wondering about me and Graham. It’s both terrifying and titillating. I don’t want him in her sights, but I also like that she thinks of us in that way. I’m not sure how to answer. I wobble, then say, “I mean, no, nothing like that, but we like to have fun.”

I’m grateful when Tina pipes up again, saving me from mindlessly blurting out any more. “Bill likes it when I suck on his toes,” she says sheepishly.

“Ewww, that’s just gross, honey,” Margot says.

* * *

—

THE SOUND OF a boat whining from across the lake cuts the conversation off. It’s a blue-and-white-striped pontoon boat and it’s heading for Jill’s deck.

“Oh, great! They’ve made it back safe and sound!” Jill says, lifting her cover-up off the back of a chair and protectively wrapping it around her.

“You didn’t tell us fucking kids were coming,” Callie says.

“Well, it’s not like they’re going to wanna hang out with us, so chill,” Jill says.

I see Margot sit up in her chair and shield her eyes, staring at the approaching boat. Brad is driving and Jamie sits in the back with his arm slung across the padded seat. A girl with long blond hair sits in the passenger seat next to Brad. She’s wearing a ball cap the way young girls and celebrities do, with her hair completely covering her ears and the cap parked precariously on the top of her head as if it could blow off at any moment.

As the boat reaches the dock, Jamie steps to the front and loops a rope around a wooden pole that’s attached to the pier. He’s topless in red swim trunks, his lean chest glistens with sweat, and I blush, thinking of our moment together at Margot’s.

“Hey!” Jill calls out to them. “So happy y’all are back! There’s leftover food to snack on and, Abby, dear, would you like some sparkling water? Iced tea?”

The girl steps from the boat toward Jamie. He offers her his hand and guides her down to the dock. She’s in an army-green string bikini, and her petite build is exquisite. Amber-colored skin and taut. She removes her aviator glasses to talk to Jill.

“No thanks, Mrs. Simmons,” she says. “I have a bottle of water in my bag.” She points behind her, and Brad trundles off the boat, beach bag in hand, hair whipped up by wind and sweat.

“Well, let me introduce you to the group!” Jill says. Her speech is sloppy from the drinks and she puts an arm around the girl’s waist like she’s holding on to her for support. “Ladies, this is Abby. Brad’s girlfriend, the one I talk about all the time!”

Jill winks at Abby, rubs her hands briskly up and down Abby’s back. “But only good things, of course! I’m always bragging on you. Abby’s a junior and she just made varsity cheerleader! Also, she’s on the honor roll. Beauty and brains. We are so pleased!” Jill beams.

“That’s Tina.” Jill points and Tina waves, flashing a warm smile. “And that’s Callie over there, trying to decide if she’s brave enough to get in the pool.” Callie rolls her eyes at Jill but walks over to them and extends her hand toward Abby.

Margot is flat on her back, sunglasses on, seemingly oblivious to Jill’s cheery round of intros.

“Margot,” Jill calls to her. Margot raises up a few inches, supports herself with her elbows, and dons a fake smile. “Margot, meet Abby,” Jill says.

“Hey,” Margot says, and gives a little wave of her hand.

I swing my legs to the deck, climb out of the chaise longue, and walk over to them.

Up close, Abby is even more luminous. Her eyes are lettuce green and she has a spray of caramel freckles that spackle her nose. She’s gorgeous, but still, she’s no match for Margot.

“And this is Sophie. She’s new to town,” Jill says. I reach out my hand and shake Abby’s.