“That would be…precisely never? I spent my free time on a sailboat.”

“What the hell made you decide to spend the summer up here?”

“Your sister.”

“Yep, that would do it. She’s always been persuasive,” Chase said with just a hint of long-suffering in her voice.

“That’s true,” Lily said, “but she balances it out with a generous heart.”

Chase nodded, her expression serious. “That she does. And lucky for me.”

“It seems that Sarah has done well by both of us. She was a great friend to me in college and ever since. And this job, I think, is exactly what I need.”

“Just the job? Because, you know, all work and no play…”

Chase gave her a look that Lily couldn’t possibly misinterpret. She glanced around, but the kids were either trudging wearily along in silence or chatting. No one appeared to be paying attention to their conversation.

“I’m flattered, but—”

“I haven’t made an offer yet.”

“Haven’t you?” Lily wasn’t about to be put off with that line. “I may not have had a lot of practice recently, but I can still read signals.”

Chase grinned. “Not rusty a bit? Because the mountain air is great for getting everything back in working order.”

“You do really like to live dangerously.”

“That’s what they’ve always said about me.”

Lily shot her a look. “Some things you never forget, but that’s not the point.”

“What is?”

“I’m here to work, we’re surrounded by teenagers, not to mention your sister, and…” She frowned. “That’s enough.”

“Could I offer a counterargument?”

“Could I stop you? Something tells me you’re not used to hearing no either.”

Chase held her eyes and shook her head. “Lily, if it’s a definite no, it’s a definite no, and I won’t bother you again.”

Lily should’ve said no instantly. She’d just made all the arguments why it was a no. Instead she said nothing.

After a few seconds, Chase said, “I happen to think you’re an extraordinarily attractive woman, and I like your style.”

“My style?” Annoyed to be drawn in, Lily couldn’t help repeating, “My style?”

That little flicker of a grin again. God, she was good-looking.

“You’re intrepid, or else you wouldn’t be here. You’re obviously smart, considering what you do. Sarah’s a good judge of character, and if you’re her friend, that automatically spells loyalty and honesty. And”—she paused and her gaze darkened—“I like the way you look at me, Lily.”

“I don’t…” Lily was not in the habit of lying to herself, and she certainly wasn’t going to start now. “All right, I’m living and breathing, and you are…”

Chase’s brow rose and, again, that little smirk Lily was beginning to find amusing as well as sexy.

“You know damn well you’re attractive.”

“I’m only interested in being attractive to you.”

Lily laughed out loud. “That is a terrible line. And I know damn well you like being attractive to women. Plural.”

“All right, I’m only interested in being attractive to you, singular, right now.”