He sighed. “Sadly, I know you’re right. It would be a great idea for us, but not so good for my kids.” He brushed away a curl from her cheek. “This can’t be easy for you.”

“It’s fine.” She knew it wasn’t easy for him, either. She wondered if the hardest part was forming a relationship with another woman. She wanted to ask, but knew better than to mention Becca.

Without warning, he captured her face in his hands and kissed her. It was brief and restrained, but no less intense for that. His tension flowed into her and his palms held her firmly as he deepened the kiss.

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.