Laura was smiling as she took three cocktail glasses out of the cabinet. She’d only had two beers—well, three, if you counted that first one Cassidy had brought her out by the flowerbed—but she was still feeling a little mellow. Maybe she should go easy on the bourbon too. But why? It was a pleasant night. She was already at home and there was a very attractive woman having dinner with them.

She paused in mid-pour. Did she have a crush on Cassidy Anderson? She shook her head. No. Of course not. She wouldn’t blame herself if she did…but no. She’d made a new friend, that was all. A cute, fun, charming friend. Yes, a new friend. Not a crush.

She was still smiling, however, as she brought their drink glasses to the table. Cassidy reached for hers and—as their fingers brushed—their eyes met. Laura felt a rather odd sensation flow through her as she watched Cassidy take a sip.

“It’s perfect, Laura…thank you.”

Laura swallowed and turned away.

Oh, God…I do have a crush. She closed her eyes for a second. Friend. She’s a new friend. That’s all. A friend.

For God’s sake…a crush?

Chapter Twenty-Five

Cassidy plopped down onto the grass and leaned back, staring up into the blue sky. She felt Laura nudge her leg with her foot.

“Get up. We’re not through.”

“You’re being a slave driver,” she complained.

Laura laughed. “We haven’t even started on the stone yet.”

Cassidy groaned. “Is it too early for a beer?”

“Yes. No beer until you’re finished.”

Cassidy lifted her head. “We could take a break. Hop in the pool,” she suggested hopefully.

“No, no, no. If we get in the pool, we’ll never get out.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

“You have a party tomorrow,” Laura reminded her.

Cassidy leaned back down. “Why am I having a party again?”

“Because you don’t like to be alone. Now get up.”

Cassidy sighed. That’s right. She didn’t like to be alone. Although she had to admit, she slept like a baby last night. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, smiling as she remembered Laura nearly devouring her pizza, then them playfully fighting over the last piece. Laura won, then she proceeded to cut it in half and share it anyway.

After pizza, they had swapped their drinks for water and gone to sit on the patio, both complaining of full stomachs. They’d chatted for a bit, then Cassidy had made her way home with Laura calling after her, reminding her of their flowerbed project.

And this morning, after coffee, they’d tackled it. It had proven to be more work than she’d imagined and she knew she’d not paid Laura nearly enough for all the labor she’d already done.

“Why are you smiling?”