She sat up and rubbed her face with both hands. Yes, she’d probably end up with a broken heart, but that wasn’t going to stop this from happening. Because everything Cassidy said was true. She was attracted to her. She did miss her during the week. She did imagine them in bed together. And yes, Cassidy was the one she wanted to be with. All true. They’d said it, it was out there in the open…and there was no going back.

No, there was no going back. That didn’t mean she wasn’t scared of going forward.

Chapter Forty-Two

Cassidy was out by the pool, getting the beer bucket ready for her and Laura. She knew Erica and Amber would prefer margaritas; she already had the stuff for that sitting out on the outdoor bar. She found herself whistling and had to stop and smile, conscious of her good mood. Laura was coming over. They’d talked. No one was freaking out about the kiss…and what it meant. They’d talked. Everything was good. And part of her wished she wasn’t having company this weekend—more time with Laura. But a part of her was glad she was—she didn’t want to rush things with Laura and if they were alone this weekend, judging by the kisses they’d shared…well, if they were alone, she knew how it would end. She stared off into space, imagining that very thing, imagining Laura in her bed. She closed her eyes for a moment, recognizing the turn her stomach had just taken.

A car honked its horn down at the gate, and she hurried over to the keypad on the back wall, quickly punching in the code to let them in. She was a bit disappointed that Laura hadn’t beaten them over. She wouldn’t have minded a few minutes alone with her. A few minutes to kiss.

She went back inside, through the kitchen and past the informal sitting area to the formal living room, finally to the front entry. She had the door opened before they rang the bell. The smile on her face faltered, however, as she stood face-to-face with Claudia…of all people.

“Well, hello again,” Claudia nearly purred. “I hope you don’t mind me crashing.”

Cassidy was at a loss for words, and she jerked her attention to Erica, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

“We had dinner with Claudia last night,” Erica explained. “I knew you wouldn’t mind if we invited her. Foursomes are so much better than three,” she said with a smile.

“Of course,” she said politely. “It’s no problem.” She opened the door wider. “Come in.”