Monday and Wednesday were water therapy days and she found her mother was actually looking forward to their sessions now. She also noticed that her mother was getting stronger. After they got out of the pool, her suggested walk was not met with rejection, and both days they’d made it to the end of the road and back without any missteps. And they’d finally agreed on a paint color for the house—a light brown with beige trim.

So yes, it had been a good week. Things were back to normal. She was the yard girl and she kept busy. The lawns were manicured to perfection, the flowers were watered and blooming beautifully. A good week.

But now that Friday had rolled around, she wondered if the good week would be followed by a good weekend. Would Cassidy avoid her? Would she avoid Cassidy? She supposed, really, there was no reason for them to even see each other. They had no plans for dinner. It wasn’t like they had to hang out at the pool together. And anyway, Cassidy was probably bringing company with her. Female company. Some skinny blonde.

She refused to acknowledge the stab of jealousy she felt at that thought. Jealousy, of all things! They kissed. A tiny, little, quick kiss. It was nothing. It meant absolutely nothing.

But it wasn’t tiny and it wasn’t quick, and when she closed her eyes, she could still feel Cassidy’s mouth on hers. She could still taste her…taste the lingering sweetness of her lips.

Damn.

No. She hoped she didn’t see Cassidy. She hoped that Cassidy brought company. Yes, that’s what she hoped. Cassidy and one of her women, hanging out at the pool…probably naked.

No! That’s not what she wanted. She didn’t want a skinny, blond woman—naked—out with Cassidy.

What she wanted was…

The ringing of her phone interrupted her, and she didn’t have to glance at it to know who it was. She’d changed the ringtone weeks ago. But why was she calling? Maybe she wasn’t coming this weekend after all. Maybe all this worrying was for nothing.

She swallowed down her nervousness before answering. “Hi,” she said, hoping her voice sounded normal.

“Hey. What are you doing?”

Laura bit her lip. “Thinking about you and that damn kiss” didn’t seem like the proper thing to say. She pushed open the back door and went out onto the patio.

“Nothing really,” she said. “Where are you?”

“Here.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Here here?”

Cassidy laughed. “Yes. So why don’t you come over? Pool?”

Bad idea, she thought. Very bad idea. But it was hot, she reasoned. The cool water would feel good. Damn. But no. She shook her head. Bad idea. Very, very bad idea.

“Please.”

Oh, God. “Okay. When?”

“Now?”

“Are you…are you alone?”

“Does that make a difference?”