“I wasn’t in the party mood, it turns out. Everyone else seemed to have a good time, though.”

Tanya sat down across from her. “So? Who’s the flavor of the month?”

“No one. I was actually single at the party.”

“Really? That’s a first, isn’t it?”

Cassidy leaned back in her chair and folded her hands together. “I’m in a rut, I guess. No one seems to interest me right now.”

“I’m sure that will pass. I’ve known you twenty years. You’re never lacking for company.”

“I have made a new friend,” she said, the thought of Laura bringing a smile to her face. “She’s my neighbor. She does my yard, borrows my pool.” She leaned closer to the desk and rested her elbows on it. “She’s like…real.”

“Real? You mean compared to your usual friends?”

“Yes. Normal. Down to earth. What you see is what you get. There’s no pretense with her.”

“Ah. I bet that’s refreshing. I’ve met a few of your friends, remember.”

Cassidy laughed. “I know. That was a bad dinner party mix, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, the worst. So when do I warrant an invite out to the country?”

She very nearly offered an invitation for this weekend, then remembered her plans with Laura. “How about next week Saturday? I’ll do an early dinner.”

“I’ll check with Derrick. An afternoon relaxing by the pool sounds wonderful.”

“Great. Let’s plan on it then. I’ve been waiting on an excuse to try out that new smoker.” She rubbed her hands together. “Ribs. Maybe some chicken too.”

“I make an excellent potato salad. I’d be happy to bring some.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to you seeing the house. And all my flowers. I actually helped build a flowerbed over the weekend.”

“Well, that I’ve got to see.” She stood up. “I did come in here for a reason. The monthly reports from Hub Six are going to be late.”

“Again? What’s the deal?”

“They’re the busiest hub. She needs more help.”

“At times she needs more help, like when reports are due. Give her permission to hire someone part-time. A college student.”

“Okay. She’ll be happy about that.” Tanya turned to leave, but Cassidy called after her.

“I want to meet them before she hires.”

“As always.”

She’d been thinking about splitting up Hub Six, but that would entail purchasing another building, stocking it, and hiring licensed technicians to man it. For that kind of expense, she wanted to wait at least another year.

With a sigh, she opened up her laptop. Time to get to work.

Chapter Twenty-Eight