If Chase had had hackles, they would’ve been standing up three inches high along her spine. A red cloud of anger suffused her. She’d heard this kind of thing from Sarah before. Keisha’s a nice girl, don’t lead her on. Josie’s on the rebound from a nasty breakup and she’s likely to fall hard for the next person who pays any attention to her. Juanita is a lot more sensitive than you think, and…

“I don’t think Lily needs anyone to stand up for her, Sarah,” Chase said before Sarah could include Lily in that long list of warnings.

Sarah said, “Lily is one of the smartest, strongest, most accomplished women I’ve ever met. And she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t need healing of some kind.”

Chase shot to her feet. “I’m not going to discuss Lily with you. And maybe it’s time you started giving me a little bit of credit. I’m not the kid you came home to take care of anymore.”

She expected Sarah to shoot back at her, but instead, Sarah just shook her head. “I know that. But sometimes, Chase, your ten-year-old is awfully close to the surface. Like every time you head out on a call that isn’t yours because you don’t want to miss out on something. Whatever the action might be, it’s never enough for you. Just like none of the women has ever been enough.”

“You only know what you see, Sarah. That’s true for all of us.” Chase tossed the dregs of her coffee out onto the grass. “Lily sees something else.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Lily is good at taking care of other people’s wounds.” Sarah rose. “Maybe not so good at taking care of her own. That’s what I was trying to tell you.”

“And you think I’m going to hurt her.”

“I think one of you will get hurt if you keep heading in the direction you’re going. If one of you doesn’t walk away.”

Chase had to walk away right then. “I’m scheduled to take kids up the mountain this morning. I’m going to grab a couple hours’ sleep.”

“I wouldn’t say anything if I didn’t love you both,” Sarah called after her.

“I know,” Chase said and kept going. Nothing she could say would ease Sarah’s worry, and anything she did say would only make it worse.

Because Lily would have to be the one to turn and walk away. It wasn’t going to be her. Lily pulled at her like a magnet, dragging her closer with every breath. No matter where she was, she thought about Lily, replayed every conversation, no matter how ordinary, looking for any sign that Lily wanted her the way she wanted Lily. Remembered every single touch, even the ones that Lily would have given to anyone. Lily’s hand on her shoulder that morning was consoling and warm, but that’s not what Chase’s body had registered. Lily’s scent had been all around her, the timbre of her voice and the gentleness of her touch had wrapped her in arms that were anything but comforting. Hell, she was still vibrating, still turned on. She needed a shower because she was too tired for anything else.