OffshoreSeductions by Patti Shenberger Page A

“Then again lately I seem to be living vicariously through every one of you here the way my life has been going lately.”
    Vivi took a deep breath before speaking, “Well, from what my agent said, the shoot is scheduled for this coming Tuesday through Sunday and it’s on Rafe Santori’s private yacht which is presently anchored somewhere in the Caribbean.”
    A chorus of groans followed her words.
    “Some gals have all the luck.” Kate lifted her glass. “Ladies, shall we drink a toast to the birthday girl. May she develop sunburn in places she never dreamed of, and may she get lucky on the high seas,” Kate finished before taking a sip of the champagne.
    Vivi lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. Her career had gotten her where she wanted. A prime cover spot with a centerfold and spread in one of the premier magazines of the decade. Would wonders never cease?
    “And lest we forget the real reason why we are all gathered here tonight, to celebrate Vivi’s twenty-sixth birthday. Vivian Bloom, may I present you with your birthday present. Not that she needs another one. Can’t imagine how we could top what she just received from her agent. But we’ll give it to her anyway,” Kate teased, handing over a silver box tied with a red ribbon.
    Vivi quickly untied the box and lifted the lid, already knowing what was contained within. Not that it mattered, she was beyond thrilled with the present. A delicate gold chain and at the bottom hung a charm with her Zodiac sign. Aries, the Ram.
    “You guys are the best in the world.” Vivi quickly fastened the necklace around her neck and pulled out her compact to take a peek.
    Touching the charm, she let out a sigh. “You guys mean the world to me, you do know that, right?”
    “Does that mean you’ll take us along on the yacht?” Kate joked.
    “Um no,” Vivi shook her head and laughed. “This one’s all mine.”
    “And I’m sure Rafe Santori will be there to oversee each second of the shoot?” Tara asked.
    Vivi shrugged. Probably, since the man owned both the yacht and the magazine. In fact, she hoped he was there. She had a score to settle with Rafe.
    Each of her friends gathered at the table knew about Vivi’s crush on Rafe since high school and had teased her mercilessly over the years. The man  graduated four years ahead of them, and at the time Vivi was a freshman and he was a senior, she dogged his heels like an adoring bloodhound. Not that he ever seemed to notice. A fact she was none too proud of, but she’d come to terms with the fact they’d never run in the same circles. And yet now, it somehow seemed everything had come full circle.
    “Why don’t we forget all about Rafe Santori and get down to some serious celebrating. It is my twenty-sixth birthday after all.” Vivi lifted her glass up in the air. “To birthdays.”
    “To birthdays,” her friends seconded the toast.
    “To private celebrations on yachts,” Kate murmured seated next to her.
    Vivi elbowed her in the ribs and then smiled. “You never know.”
    “Honey, you’ve never let anything stand in the way of what you’ve wanted in life. And I seriously doubt you’re going to start now.”
    “What, little old me backing down from a challenge? Perish the thought,” Vivi answered with a laugh, her mind already running through the possibilities.
    Vivi shut the front door of the condo behind her and dropped her car keys on the table, along with her bag of birthday presents.
    Hitting the play button on the answering machine, she listened to four messages containing birthday wishes before her agent’s voice spoke up.
    “Hey, Vivi, it’s Elizabeth. I wanted to share a few more details with you but didn’t want to bug you at your party. They’ll be using Jeff Baker and John Hogan for the shoot, which I knew you’d be thrilled to hear. Those guys are the best in the business next to you. Also, all your travel documents will arrive via FedEx within the next twenty-four hours.