She’d loved her first two husbands in different ways. Stanley Noor had given her a taste of wealth and security she’d never had before. He’d lavished her with gifts, but as much as they loved each other, they were never in love with each other. Even in the divorce after five years of trying to make it work, Stanley had been generous as always. Her second husband, Malcolm Pendergast, had been her true love. A county district attorney, he bought her the lakefront home as a wedding gift. They’d tried for a family, but it wasn’t meant to be. After twelve years of happy marriage, a sudden heart attack took him from her. She and Malcolm had shared a deep, true love and appreciation for each other. That’s why she went back to his last name when her third husband, Conway Rivers, turned out to be a gold-digging fraud. She’d kicked him to the curb, without any of her money, after a regrettable seven months.

She’d never realized how lonely she’d been lately for the company of a man. Sure, she had her friends to talk to, and she rarely held anything back from them. Despite their sarcasm and teasing, they supported her 100 percent at all times. But...it wasn’t the same as talking to someone who’d known her intimately. There was a wall that fell once you’d slept with someone. What was the use of hiding anything when they’d seen everything? Especially at her age.

Her first time with Gordy a few weeks ago had been an adventure in vulnerability. He’d needed a pill. She’d needed lubrication. She was awkward and uncharacteristically shy. Gordy was calm and extremely patient. They’d talked their way through every step, until it reached the point of being funny. And once they’d started laughing, things got so much easier. And sexier.

His touch had made her body blush and react in ways she thought were long gone. Who knew old ladies could still have fun at this? What an idiot she’d been to wait this long. But then again...waiting for a man like Gordy Lexiter may have been the perfect plan. Maybe it had taken him to reawaken her desire.

They didn’t make love every time he stayed over. Sometimes they just cuddled and watched some show on a streaming service, falling asleep in each other’s arms. Gordy was firmly hooked on British crime shows, and Vickie was starting to enjoy them, too.

“Whatcha’ thinkin’ over there, Vicks?” Gordy reached out and took her hand. She was beginning to adjust to the nickname he continued to use. He always said it with so much warmth and intimacy that it was hard to argue about it. “We’re almost there and you haven’t said a word.”

She blinked, surprised to see they were up the hill and turning onto Zoey’s road already.