Cassidy stood back, looking at the activity around the pool. Judging by the laughter and splashing, she’d say the party was a success. She lost count of how many pitchers of margaritas she’d made and several empty wine bottles lined the bar. The table with appetizers and dips had been mostly ravished and it was still another hour before the caterers would come with the fajitas. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Everyone but her.
Her gaze was drawn to the upstairs windows of Laura’s house. Was she up there? Or was it too noisy? Was the music too loud? She’d hoped that Laura would make an appearance, even though last night she’d politely declined the invitation once again.
“There you are! Thought you’d disappeared.”
Cassidy turned, automatically smiling at the woman who stood before her. What was her name again? Patty? Patsy? Pam?
“No, just checking on things. Are you having a good time?”
“Wonderful party. Randi was looking for you. I told her I’d help in the search.”
Ah…Randi’s girlfriend. Paula?
“They’re trying to get a volleyball game going in the pool. She thought you had a net.”
“I do.” Cassidy watched as a beach ball was being bounced around by laughing women. “And a ball.”
She forced a smile to her face as she attached the net, much to the delight of the splashing crowd.
“Come join us,” someone beckoned.
“Maybe later. I’ve got to get set up for the caterers,” she lied.
She walked back to the outdoor kitchen, then turned again, watching the party from afar.
* * *
“What’s wrong?” Laura murmured as she watched Cassidy.
She had told herself she wasn’t going to spy on the party. For one thing, she wasn’t really interested in it and she didn’t care how many skinny, blond women were in the pool. But the incessant laughter could be heard up in her bedroom even with the oscillating fan going for extra noise. Curiosity got the best of her and she went to the window and parted the blinds. Unfortunately, she could only catch a glimpse of the pool so—without too much thought—she went into her writing room and peeked out of the window there.
And sure enough, the pool was full of bikini-clad, skinny blondes. The party was mostly women, maybe six men out of the twenty-five or thirty that she counted. She couldn’t find Cassidy so she picked up the binoculars, scanning the crowd, looking for her. She finally spotted her back by the outdoor kitchen. She had a rather indifferent look on her face…distant, as if she wasn’t really there.
Laura frowned. “What’s wrong with you?” she murmured again as she saw Cassidy sigh and head into the house.
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.”
Cassidy laughed. “Okay. I’ll save some back for you.”
Laura pushed her toward the door. “Go out to your party before you’re missed.”
Cassidy nodded. “I know.” Then she paused. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” Laura met her gaze and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”