“Well, you have variety, that’s for sure,” Erica teased. “Who was this last one?”

“Larson. On our first date, she invited me in for a nightcap and sex.”

“Right up your alley,” Erica smirked.

Cassidy stared out at the pool. Was that right up her alley? “I don’t know. There’s a huge difference between sleeping with someone—sex—and making love. And honestly, I can’t remember the last time—if ever—that I’ve done the latter.”

“I think you need to give them more than a month, Cassidy. It’s hard to get to know someone in a few weeks.”

“It only takes a few weeks to know if they’re the one or not. Sex is just sex.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s my age.”

“Your age? What? You don’t like sex anymore?”

Cassidy laughed. “I like it as much as I always have. I would just like to get to know them a little first, I guess.”

“How old are you again?”

“Forty-four. A few weeks ago.”

“Did you have a party?”

“God, no. The last party I had was when I turned thirty. I may do one at fifty, though. Depends on my frame of mind at the time, I guess.”

Erica touched her arm. “Well, you probably don’t want to hear this, but Claudia was heartbroken.”

“Come on. She knew the score. I never once said anything to make her think I was emotionally involved.”

“That always seems to be your problem. You don’t let yourself get emotionally involved.”

“I know you’re friends with Claudia. But she wasn’t the one. I’m sorry if I hurt her.”

“Oh, she’ll get over you. They always do, don’t they?”

Cassidy wasn’t sure how to reply to that and she was thankful when she saw Amber hold up her empty glass. “Your wife wants a margarita refill. I guess we should join them.”

“I’ll take the pitcher. And I’d love to get in the pool if it’s still heated.”

“It is. But the weather is getting warmer. I’ll probably turn it off after the weekend.” She motioned with her head. “Go ahead. I’ll grab some towels.”

* * *

“Now who do you have over?” Laura murmured.

She’d resisted picking up the binoculars, telling herself once again that it was just wrong—wrong!—to spy. Especially now that Cassidy was going to pay her four hundred and fifty bucks a month to tend to her lawn. She didn’t need binoculars to tell her that these other three women were new. Judging by the kiss she’d seen, two were obviously a couple. But…also judging by the way Cassidy treated the other woman, they weren’t a couple. New date, perhaps? Blind date? Her friends trying to set her up?