Chapter 1

Kate stretched her arms over her head on the lounger, the sounds of laughter mixing with the beat of the music and water splashing in the pool just a few feet away. The warmth of the sun's rays soaked into her skin, chasing away any memories of her last few days in New York, dreary and full of rain. Her eyes fluttered open, and from behind her sunglasses, she surveyed the pool area and the balconies of the hotel rooms overlooking it. There were beautiful, bikini-clad women everywhere, of all shapes and sizes dancing or mingling with other guests, their skin glistening in the afternoon sunshine. The scent of sunscreen filled the air, and Kate was pretty sure she was in paradise.

Her eyes landed on her best friend, Lexi. She was on her way back from the bar, carrying two brightly colored cocktails, her long black curly hair tied up in a messy bun.

Lexi grinned as she sat down, kicking off her flip-flops as she handed Kate her drink. "Sorry that took so long, but that bartender is dreamy."

"Thanks," Kate said, giving the drink a stir before taking a sip. "Which one?"

"Guess."

Kate glanced over at Lexi before returning her gaze to the bar on the far side of the pool. Three women were behind it, and she instantly knew which one Lexi was talking about. "The blond with all the tattoos?"

"Yep. See, this is why you're still my best friend."

Kate had only seen Lexi a handful of times in the last few years. When Kate moved to New York, she'd been so busy, caught up in a whirlwind romance and working three different jobs, that it was just about impossible to get back to California to see Lexi. Thankfully, Lexi came to her a few times for a long weekend.

Now, Kate was sleeping on Lexi's couch after packing up all her things and leaving New York behind just over a week ago. She was twenty-six years old. She needed to get her life together, but it could wait for another few days. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy her newfound freedom.

"Why didn't we do this sooner?" Kate asked as she leaned back, leaving her cocktail on the little table between them. "I feel like I've died and gone to heaven." Kate's gaze lingered on an older woman with dark hair that didn't quite reach her shoulders. Her shades were on top of her head, and Kate looked away when she'd been caught staring.

"Because, we were both in dead-end unhealthy relationships for the better part of the last five years. But yes, I agree. This is a little surreal. You can tell me I'm right now, by the way," Lexi said, dropping her shades down to look at Kate directly.

"I can. You were right." Kate wet her lips. "You were right to get away for a long weekend. We both needed it."

"Surrounded by beautiful gay women," Lexi added.

"That does help."

"Please tell me you're going to do more than look this weekend."

Kate inhaled a deep breath. "I want to, but I've never really been a one-night stand kind of person, so…"

"Yeah, but after the last five years, you need like a… A cleanse." Lexi took a sip of her drink. "What about her? The woman in the navy and white striped bikini. She's been looking this way."

"I think she was looking at you," Kate said, rolling her head to the side to watch her friend continue to window shop. "I'm assuming you don't need a pep talk."

"Oh, definitely not." Lexi flashed her a smile.

"See the woman to our left, sitting on the edge of the pool with the short black hair? Red bikini?"

"Kate." Lexi's voice held a hint of warning.

"What?"

"She looks just like her. From the side anyway. Probably early forties. The same hair. The same body shape. Come on."

"Oh." Kate's stomach dropped a little.

"You didn't realize?"

"No." Kate hadn't.

"You know you did the right thing."

"No. I know. I wasn't happy. And I don't miss her, in case that's what you're thinking." Kate honestly hadn't felt a twinge of sadness since that night she'd finally had it out with her now ex. They'd been good together for maybe a year, and Kate still had no idea how it had taken her so long to end things.

"And that's why you need to put yourself out there this weekend. Just have some fun. You've been miserable for too long."

"Yeah," Kate said, reaching for her cocktail and taking a sip, the refreshing tang of citrus hitting her tongue.

As the afternoon shifted into evening, Kate was nicely buzzed, and she felt relaxed for the first time in a very long time. She'd gone back to her room and swapped her bikini for white shorts and a navy tank top, touching up her makeup before returning to the pool area that had shifted from daytime lounging to night time clubbing. The music was louder, the beat pulsing through the speakers, and only a few women were in the pool now with most of the crowd hanging around the bar and makeshift dance floor.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the pool area in shades of orange and pink. Kate scanned the crowd in search of Lexi, and she found her dancing with the bartender from earlier who must have finished her shift.

Kate smiled to herself, happy for Lexi, and a little envious that she could just put herself out there like that. Kate needed to tap into that energy quickly or she'd be back in hotel room early, too afraid to mingle with gorgeous strangers.

The main bar that was beside the DJ's booth was packed, overflowing onto the dance floor, and Kate wasn't tipsy enough to brave that scene. She wouldn't mind getting another drink before she even thought about dancing. She went back inside the hotel. Maybe that bar would be quieter.

The thumping beat of the music outside faded as she entered the lobby and found the bar. There were a few women sitting at some of the high top tables but most of the stools at the bar were free. Kate slid onto one of them and asked the bartender to make whatever her favorite cocktail was.

"That's adventurous," a woman beside her said before she caught the bartender's attention and ordered a drink.

Kate glanced to her left and blinked as her eyes focused on the striking woman who was standing just inches away. She swallowed, willing her brain to catchup and say something. "I'm easing myself into this weekend," Kate said, a smile coming to her lips. "Trying to put myself out there. And getting adventurous with my drink choices felt like an easy win."

Kate took in her luxurious dark brown hair, streaked with copper highlights, cascading over her shoulders in waves. She was probably in her early forties, and if Kate had to describe her ideal woman in terms of looks alone, she was the realization of those fantasies.

She wore khaki chinos and a black tank top that hugged her upper body, showing off her toned arms. She'd gone for comfortable yet stylish, and Kate was really glad that she'd decided to come inside.

"Are you nervous?" the woman asked.

Kate turned to meet her eyes. "Let's just say it's been a while since I've been single. And my best friend is out there jumping right in even though she's just out of a long term relationship too. I'm not nearly as brave as her it seems."

"I know exactly what you mean."

The bartender returned with their drinks. A glass of red wine for the beautiful stranger standing beside her and a classic mojito for Kate.

"Cheers," Kate said, lightly clinking her glass against hers before taking a sip, the mint flavor refreshingly cool on her tongue.

"Cheers," the woman echoed.

"So, you're just out of a relationship too?"

"Well," the woman sighed. "Not technically. Emotionally yes. I've decided to file for divorce, but I am still married. So… I know what you mean in the sense that this is my first time being anywhere like this in a very long time."

Kate nodded. "I'm Kate, by the way."

"Hollis."

Kate met Hollis's eyes again, noticing how dark her blue eyes were. They were a stunning mix of navy and gray, like a stormy ocean, and she found it difficult to look away. "Are you here on your own?"

"Yes." Hollis took a sip of wine, and Kate's eyes lingered on her long, slender fingers and her short, manicured nails.

"Now, that's brave." Kate took another drink, willing herself to keep it together and not let her nerves get the better of her.

"Do you think?" Hollis asked with a smile as she turned to face her, a lock of hair falling across her eye. "I think it might be a little crazy. No one knows I'm here. My friends don't even know I'm gay."

Kate couldn't keep her eyebrow from arching. So, she was married to a man then. She was still processing that information when Hollis continued.

"Yeah. I'm about to throw a bomb into the middle of my life, but I feel surprisingly good about it. I came here on a whim. I got a phone call yesterday about a last minute cancelation, and here I am."

"Well, I'm glad you're here. My story's not nearly as life changing, but I did just move back to California after spending the last five years in New York City with my ex. So, I think we should both be drinking to fresh starts," Kate said, lifting her glass, holding Hollis's gaze.

"That I can drink to." Hollis gently bumped her wine glass against Kate's cocktail. "Do you want to go outside? I just came in to get a drink without the wait."

"Yeah." Kate slid off her stool, hardly believing that this was how her first night here was starting. "I'd love to."

They exited the bar with their drinks and stepped out into the warm night air. The music from the pool area carried over the huge outdoor area, pulsing softly in the background. Kate felt a flutter of nervous excitement in her stomach as they walked towards the back, to one of the empty outdoor sofas.

"I haven't felt this old in a long time," Hollis said as she sat down on the couch, "But I'd much rather sit somewhere we can talk than be shouting over the music up by the bar."

"I completely agree." Kate flashed her a smile as she sat down, leaving a little space between them, but probably sitting closer than she should have considering they'd just met a few moments ago.

A light breeze rustled through the palm trees enclosing the area, casting shadows over the pool and dance floor.

"Will your friend be looking for you?" Hollis asked as she looked out at the crowded bar area.

"Lexi?" Kate asked with a laugh. "Definitely not. She's been infatuated with one of the bartenders all afternoon and the last time I saw her she was out dancing with her, so I doubt she'll come looking for me. She knows I won't get into too much trouble."

"You won't?"

Kate's breath caught in her throat. The delivery had been innocent enough, but the intensity in Hollis's eyes? Kate would be an idiot not to read into it, but sitting beside this effortlessly confident woman, it didn't take long for the doubts to start creeping in. How could someone like Hollis be interested in her? Just like Kate had felt the need to have one more drink before she put herself out there and got anywhere near the dance floor, Hollis was probably doing the very same thing. Enjoying a drink with someone safe, someone who wasn't the slightest bit intimidating, before she ventured out to find someone closer in age who was just as stylish as she was.