Without thinking, Laura dropped the binoculars on her desk and headed out the door. She wasn’t dressed for a party and she had no intention of staying, but the look on Cassidy’s face tugged at her heart. It was more than simply being distant—aloof. It was something else, something Laura couldn’t see from way up in her bedroom.

The gate was opened and she hurried through it. Instead of going around the back like she usually did, she went to the front door. Should she ring the bell? Knock?

She turned the knob, finding it unlocked. She went inside and headed for the kitchen. Cassidy was leaning against the island, her gaze drawn to the window and the activity outside at her pool, yet she remained detached from it.

“Are you hiding?”

Cassidy jerked her head around, obviously startled.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Cassidy’s face broke out into a smile. “You came.”

Laura shook her head. “No, no. Not to the party.”

Cassidy frowned. “Then…”

“What’s wrong?”

Cassidy sighed and pushed off from the island. “Not up for a party, I guess. I thought I was faking it pretty good.”

“No one seems to have noticed.”

“Yet you did.” Cassidy raised her eyebrows questioningly.

“I may have peeked out of the window,” Laura admitted. She would never, ever admit to the binoculars, though. She walked around the island to face Cassidy, unconsciously reaching out a hand to touch her arm. “Can I do anything?”

“Stay?”

Laura smiled. “Not my kind of party.” She dropped her hand. “I just wanted to check on you. You looked kinda…I don’t know…sad.”

Cassidy took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping as she let it out. “Sad, huh? Maybe.”

Laura tilted her head. “These are your friends, right?”

Cassidy nodded. “People I know. The normal party crowd.”

Cassidy seemed so withdrawn, Laura was concerned. She took a step closer. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Ready for it to be over with, that’s all.”

Cassidy’s eyes were shadowed, not the sharp, clear brown that she was used to. Laura thought she was maybe overstepping her bounds, but she moved closer, pulling Cassidy into a hug. She had no right to be this familiar with her, did she? She was surprised when she felt Cassidy’s arms circle her waist and pull her even closer. So close, in fact, that they were touching in all sorts of places that had no business touching.

Laura gently pulled away from the embrace, almost embarrassed to meet Cassidy’s eyes. She took a step back, separating completely. She was about to apologize, then a rather sweet smile appeared on Cassidy’s lips.

“Thank you. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a hug.”

Laura smiled too. “Well, glad I could help.”

“Sure you don’t want to stay?”

“Positive.” Then she wiggled her eyebrows teasingly. “Save me a couple of fajitas.”