When she didn’t continue, Maura leveled a look at her. “I don’t know, since my husband’s been dead for twenty years. Did Howard have chest pains in the middle of the act or what?”

“No. There wasn’t an act at all. By the time he was ready, I wasn’t, and it was all just a lot of awkward fumbling. We never discussed it—” she shrugged “—or tried it again.”

They’d kept the relationship going, at least in public, for another few months, but they were nothing more than dinner dates for each other. A way to avoid being the odd one out. When Howard found someone else, they’d parted as friends.

“I’m sorry, Vickie. It’s got to be difficult to build a relationship without some sort of...physical connection.”

“I don’t know.” She flagged down their server for another glass of Prosecco, since Maura was driving. “I’m probably too old to be feeling horny.”

Maura tipped her head back and laughed loudly. “I don’t think there’s an age limit on horniness. This is the twenty-first century and boomer women are tipping the little old lady stereotype on its ear. Look at Cecile and Charlie—if she’s to be believed, those two are at it like a pair of rabbits every night. Remember how upset she got when the book club read that shades book? She complained that the BDSM scenes were not written accurately enough. I’ve often wondered if they have a little ‘red room of pain’ in that house somewhere...”

“Ew! God, don’t put that image in my mind.” Vickie pretended to scrub her eyes. “I don’t know if anyone knows Cecile’s actual age, but I know Charlie is at least seventy-two.”

“I know!” Maura chuckled. “Maybe you should be talking to her about this little crush of yours. She might have more practical advice than me if you decide to welcome Gordy into some room that’s not the kitchen.”

Vickie liked Cecile. It was hard not to enjoy her quirky, bubbly personality and the way she always looked on the bright side of things. But to ask her for sex advice? No, thank you.

Her feelings for Gordon were just a...physical craving. And she did not do one-night stands, damn it. Not since high school. Not since that back seat romp. With Gordon.

ZOEY CLOSED HER laptop with a heavy sigh of relief. “Thank God I don’t have to do that every day.”

“Mom, it was a twenty-minute video call.”