Their eyes held and Laura watched as Cassidy’s chest heaved with each breath she sucked, much as her own was doing. Yes. She should repeat Cassidy’s words back to her. Because she knew with complete certainty that she’d never wanted like this before.

“Cassidy?” the voice called again.

“Whoever that is, I hate them,” Laura whispered.

Cassidy laughed quietly. “I’m sorry. It’s Erica.” Cassidy took another step away from her, still holding her eyes captive. “That was like the best kiss ever.”

Laura smiled. “No. It was about ten seconds from being the best kiss ever.”

* * *

Cassidy opened the pantry door as Erica came fully into the kitchen. Cassidy knew she was flushed. Hell, she still hadn’t caught her breath yet. She didn’t dare look at Laura. Knowing Laura, she was probably blushing. Erica stared first at her, then at Laura before bringing her gaze back to her again, one eyebrow arching.

“So…umm, I’ll just…take the…the…” Laura stammered.

“Fridge,” Cassidy said without thinking. “Umm…the cheese tray…in the fridge.” Their eyes met for a second, but it was long enough for her to see the smoldering desire still evident in Laura’s. Oh, yeah…ten more seconds.

“Right. Cheese tray. Got it.”

Laura hurried to the fridge, leaving Cassidy and Erica staring at each other. Neither spoke until Laura left the kitchen.

“Really? You’re all flustered, Cassidy. The yard girl?” she asked incredulously.

Cassidy played dumb. She wasn’t sure she was ready to bring her feelings for Laura out into the open yet. She’d barely had time to reconcile them herself.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Erica pointed at the closed door. “Weren’t you just having a make-out session in a closet?”

At that, Cassidy smiled. “It’s actually the pantry. And yes, we were.”

“Oh my God! The yard girl? Have you lost your mind? She’s…she’s so…so butch.”

Cassidy laughed. “Butch? Laura?” She shook her head. “No. She’s just a tomboy. But butch? No. Not even close.”

“Well, she’s cute, I’ll give you that. But Cassidy, she’s not you. She doesn’t fit.” She leaned closer. “You and Claudia are perfect together. She fits. This woman? Never.”

“There was nothing perfect about me and Claudia. Nothing. I’m not attracted to her, Erica. I was never attracted to her. You set us up on a date and…well, my fault. There should have never been a second date.”

Erica pointed out the door where Laura had gone. “And that woman? You’re attracted to her?”

Cassidy looked out the double doors, finding Claudia and Amber sitting under an umbrella. Laura was in the pool, fighting with her float again. Her hair was wet and Cassidy imagined her jumping into the pool, trying to cool off and douse the flames that had been consuming them only minutes earlier. Ten more seconds.