When he finally broke away she was glad she was sitting down. As it was, she thought it might take her heart and hopes a while to return to earth.

She picked up her glass and took a large swallow.

With a wry smile, he tapped his wineglass against hers. “To us.”

Us.

The word added to the new feeling of intimacy. She wasn’t sure she’d ever really been an “us” before.

No, right now she definitely didn’t feel lonely.

She nursed her glass. “So you’ll go to the lake with your friends this summer?”

“Honestly? I don’t know.” He finished his wine. “The kids always loved it. They enjoy the fresh air and spending time outdoors. There’s a freedom there that they don’t have here. And Clare and Todd—well, they’re a nice family. I’m sure we’d have a good time, but I don’t want to be away from you for three weeks. Maybe you could come, too.”

“To England?” Was he joking? He had to be joking, surely. “I don’t think so.”

Spend three weeks with Becca’s closest friend?

Awkward didn’t begin to describe it.

On the other hand she didn’t relish the thought of three weeks away from him, either.

“I think it would be great.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs. “Will you think about it?”

“I’m thinking about it. Even if I could persuade Celia it was a good idea—which I doubt I could—I don’t think it would work.”

“It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. Lake Lodge is set right on the edge of the water in acres of private land. Wait—” He dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone. “I have a photo.” He scrolled and then showed her the screen.

She saw a lake framed by mountains and dense forest. It seemed that a whole world, compact and quite breathtakingly beautiful, was contained in that one shot.

Apart from the water, it did look idyllic.

“It’s not the place that worries me, Jack.” True, the lake itself wasn’t appealing but presumably water-based activities were optional.

“So it’s the people? The Dickinsons are always welcoming. They’re a very laid-back family.”

Maybe, but how laid-back would they be if Jack were to show up with a new woman a year after Becca’s death?

She handed his phone back. “You assume that everyone is going to be fine that we’re together.”

“Why wouldn’t they be?”

“These people were friends of Becca’s. They might resent you bringing another woman to stay.”

“Or they might not. They’re my friends, too. I hope they’d be relieved and pleased. I would, if the situation was reversed.”

Men were different, she thought. It wasn’t Clare’s husband she was worried about. It was Clare herself. Her friendship with Becca hadn’t been a casual thing. Apparently they’d been as close as two friends could be since they were in kindergarten.

“What about the girls?”

“What about them? Molly invited you—you heard her.”