All the same, she ached to reach out, somehow touch those memories, and smooth away the sharp edges that still caused Lily to bleed. She knew that wasn’t possible but wished it still. Instead of offering empty words, she offered what she could. Silence. Slipping an arm around Lily’s waist, she pulled Lily a little closer against her side and watched the moonlight skim the surface of the lake like a lover’s hand.

Slowly, Lily lowered her legs until her feet dipped into the water. She caught her breath. “It’s so warm! It was freezing this morning.”

“It happens at night, because of the reversal of the thermal currents,” Chase said. “The cool air pulls the heat from her depths—kind of like a kiss.”

Lily leaned away until she was facing her and laughed into her eyes. “That might be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Go ahead, laugh. I can take it.” Chase grinned. “But it is pretty relaxing, to sit here like this and look at the stars.”

“Mmm, no doubt.” Lily braced both hands behind her on the dock and tilted her head back, gazing up at the sky.

Chase mimicked her position.

“You know all of them?” Lily asked.

“Yes,” Chase said quietly.

“Tell me.”

“Just one tonight,” Chase said, pointing up to Polaris. “There. Ursa Minor—the little bear. That one will always be up there, all year round.” She told Lily how in Greek mythology the big and little bear constellations represented the two nymphs who protected Zeus when he was small, and how, as a reward, he placed them in the heavens.

“I can actually see that one,” Lily said. “You’ll tell me the other stories?”

“Next time we have a chance to stargaze,” Chase murmured. “Although many of the most romantic stories involve ones that are seen best in the fall.”

“That’s too bad,” Lily said. “I’ll be back in the city by then, and stargazing, even if I had time, would be impossible. Too much light and God knows what else in the air.”

The swift shaft of disappointment caught Chase by surprise. Of course Lily would be leaving when the camp closed after Labor Day. The kids would be gone by then, and Lily’s job would be over. Not that it mattered, really. Even with women she actually dated, three months was a long time.

“You’ll probably be happy to get back to civilization by then,” Chase said.

“Yes. Probably. I should get back to the lodge, Chase,” Lily said abruptly, as if mention of the future had broken their spell.

“Of course.” Chase rose and pulled off her T-shirt, leaving her in the tank she wore underneath, her jeans, and barefoot. She quickly wiped the water from her lower legs and tops of her feet and handed the damp tee to Lily. “Use this before you put your shoes on. Otherwise you’ll end up with sand and pine needles stuck everywhere.”

When Lily didn’t answer, Chase realized Lily was staring at her.