“I hate to run. But gym, yes. I’ve got one in the house. Lots of fancy workout systems. Got an elliptical that I like and a rowing machine. Weights. Things like that.”

Laura nodded. “That’s one thing I miss about my apartment—the gym. Well, that and the three pools.” She smiled and motioned to the pool beside them. “Thank you for allowing me to use yours.”

“You know, if you want to use my gym, I wouldn’t mind,” Cassidy offered.

“Thank you, but I couldn’t possibly intrude into your home. It’s bad enough that I’m taking advantage of your pool.”

“Well, when I give you a tour of the house and you see the gym, you might change your mind.”

Later, when Laura stood inside that very same gym—seven weight systems, a fancy elliptical that she probably wouldn’t know how to use, free weights, stationary bike, rowing machine—she nearly started salivating.

“Are you kidding me? This is bigger than the one at my apartment.” She turned to Cassidy. “Your house is huge. Your bedroom is obscenely large. This gym is ridiculous.”

Cassidy laughed. “Yes to all. The guy who drew up my plans added the sitting room in the bedroom. The entertainment room, with theater seating, that’s over the top. I don’t even like to watch movies. My master bath, my office, my kitchen…and my gym; all my designs. The rest, even the outdoor kitchen, the guy drew up.”

“And all the extra bedrooms?”

Cassidy shrugged. “Weekend company.”

“Family?”

“No. Not yet, anyway. I keep thinking I need to have my brother out here.”

“Kids?”

“He’s got three.”

“I’m sure they’d love the pool.”

Cassidy shrugged again. “They’ve got their own.”

“Of course they do,” she murmured, getting a smile from Cassidy.

“He built his new house about three years ago. Took me a bit longer.”

“But yours is bigger?” she guessed.

“Yes.”

“Sibling competition?”

“Not really, no. We get along fine. Separation of duties and all that.”

“But you’re the boss?”

“If we have a disagreement about something, we usually defer to our father.”

She said that so easily, Laura knew that meant that her father then deferred to her. After all, Cassidy apparently was the brains behind the operation. She studied her for a moment, trying to decide if Cassidy truly liked being the boss or not. It must come with pressure—stress—to keep things running smoothly. Obviously the company was a huge success, judging by this monstrosity she’d built.

“You hate my house, don’t you?”

Laura shook her head quickly. “Not at all.” Then… “Well, it is a little sterile. There’s nothing here that’s you.”

“I know. I was thinking that same thing. Personal things…they’re all still at my apartment.”

“So this is just a weekend place? That’s still your home?”

“Exactly.”

“Damn huge, expensive weekend place.”