Nina held up her hand. “I am going to stop you right there, girl. There is a NO DIVING sign at the dating pool.” The women laughed.

“Seriously. Listen,” Frankie went on. “Let’s make a pact. I know this is probably something we swore we would never do. But”—she took a deep breath—“if none of us have dates for New Year’s Eve by this Thanksgiving, we’ll go on a singles cruise together.”

“What?” Nina’s eyes almost bugged out.

“Huh?” came from Amy.

“Count me in,” Rachael said, jumping at the idea.

“Really. What’s the worst that can happen? We’ll have fun, get a tan, and come home with some duty-free perfume,” Frankie assured them.

“That could be fun,” Nina agreed. “It’s only June now, so we have plenty of time to either ruin our lives again with a man or get ourselves into bathing-suit shape.”

A groan went around the table. “OK. So we’ll wear sarongs,” Nina added.

“And cover-ups,” Amy said.

“And big hats,” Frankie suggested.

“Let’s not forget the dark sunglasses.” Rachael put her two cents in.

“Caribbean?” Frankie asked. “We can meet up in Miami and take one of those four-or-five-day singles cruises. Come on! Like I said, the worst that can happen is we get a tan.”

“Or tossed in the drink for being too rowdy.” Nina chuckled.

Rachael clapped. “I love it!”

“Don’t get too excited there, missy. We’ll keep you on a tight leash,” Nina said.

“Ha. Isn’t the whole point to have some fun?” Rachael protested.

“Absolutely!” Frankie was pleased with her idea, and her friends were enthusiastic about it, too. “It will be like The Love Boat with eggnog.”

The women reached across the table and grabbed each other’s hands. “Pinky swear!” They locked fingers the same way they had in high school when they set out to accomplish something.

Frankie surveyed the room. “I think our work here is done. Are any of you staying here at this hotel?”

“I’m at my folks’,” Amy replied.

“I’m at a B and B off Henshaw Drive,” Rachael said.

“I’m at the Courtyard,” Nina put in.

“Oh good. So am I. I couldn’t get a room here, which is fine. I don’t know if I want to keep running into people I don’t remember,” Frankie said almost apologetically. “Let’s go over to the Courtyard and hang out. I don’t see anyone or anything worth pursuing here.” She giggled.

“Splendid idea,” Nina agreed.

“Pajama party?” Amy almost begged.

“I have two beds in my room. You can join me, but won’t your mother be upset?” Frankie asked.

“You mean my mother and Mister Charm? Nah. They’re at the club. I’ll send her a text so she won’t worry.”

Rachael frowned for a moment. “Can I come and play, too?”