Despite Kathryn’s obvious willingness, Cassidy had no desire to have her share her bed. Perhaps it was true what she’d told Erica. What was wrong with getting to know someone before jumping into bed? Did everything have to end in sex? Couldn’t they at least wait until a second date? Claudia had been a sex machine and even she hadn’t suggested bed on their first date.

But Larson? Yeah. Cassidy didn’t even remember their dinner, what they’d talked about. All she remembered was being pulled into an apartment and not leaving until the next morning. The weekend here? Much of the same.

And now Kathryn? Hell, they hadn’t said more than a handful of words. Apparently margaritas, and then wine, had made Kathryn lose any inhibitions she may have had. She’d run her fingers up Cassidy’s arm teasingly after dinner. She’d flirted. She’d touched. And no doubt, after being initially disappointed to be going to bed alone, she’d crashed into a deep, alcohol-induced sleep.

And now here she was, sitting alone on the patio, the water of the pool rippling in the light wind. Erica and Amber were in bed. Kathryn was in bed. And she, after attempting to sleep, was sitting here listening to the night sounds—frogs in the trees mostly—and feeling a heavy sense of loneliness settle over her.

Was it her age that was making her feel this way? She’d never given her age much attention before, but turning forty-four had been more traumatic than she’d let on. Because forty-four was one very short year from forty-five. And forty-five was too damn close to fifty.

And she still hadn’t met the love of her life.

She stretched her legs out, staring into the darkness. Maybe she was trying too hard. Or maybe she wasn’t trying at all. Flitting from date to date, bed to bed, never settling long enough to really get to know any them.

Oh, she knew them, all right. Take Kathryn, for instance. They had zero in common. From what she’d learned, Kathryn was a movie buff. Rarely missed a new release. Her? She could think of twenty things she’d rather do to kill a couple of hours than sitting in a movie theater with a hundred other people. Kathryn also liked shopping and malls. “I could spend hours just browsing.” Cassidy would slit her wrists. And, of course, there was the whole “I don’t eat beef” thing. Who didn’t like a tender, juicy steak, medium rare? And the teriyaki beef kabobs? They were sinfully delicious. Add to all that, she simply wasn’t attracted to her in the least.