“Better.”

“And,” Chase went on, “to continue why I want to see you…as in spend time with you and that includes sexually, I find you attractive and you find me attractive and we’re both single, I believe we’ve established, and adults, so why shouldn’t we enjoy each other? It’s only one summer, Lily.”

“That’s being optimistic. How do you know it wouldn’t only be for one night?”

Chase lifted a shoulder. “Fair enough. I don’t, but I can hope.”

“You are terribly smooth for someone so young.”

“Come on, I’m not that young.”

“A decade at our age is young. And what we experience ages us too,” she said more quietly.

“I know what you’ve been through, Lily,” Chase said, “and I know it was hell. But do me the favor of not assuming that you know all there is to know about me.”

Lily took a slow breath. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I don’t know a lot about you, and that’s maybe the point.”

“Do you always know a lot about the women you sleep with?”

“I usually know them well.”

“Friends first, sex later?”

Lily paused, thinking about it.

“Friends, yes, but not friends like Sarah.”

Chase flinched. “Hell, hope not.”

Lily laughed again. “No. And as to the other women in my life…they were women I respected and enjoyed. Not all of them, or even most of them, are close now.”

“I don’t want to be your friend,” Chase murmured. “I want to be your summer love.”

“Don’t you mean summer lover?”

“Could be the same thing,” Chase said offhandedly, and Lily surprised herself with an unexpected surge of disappointment.

What had she expected? Chase was playing with her, and she’d invited the casual. Casual relationship. Casual sex. A fling. She’d never had anything close to what she’d call a fling. And if she was honest, she was enjoying every second of Chase’s unapologetic pursuit, and she didn’t have an argument against anything Chase had said. She couldn’t deny the attraction and couldn’t conjure a rational reason not to take the next step. Except…she couldn’t banish the memory of the voice whispering in the quiet of the night You’ll want her, and you’ll regret it. She’ll hurt you in ways you didn’t think you could be hurt. Don’t let her in.

“Lily?” Chase murmured with a question her voice. “What is it?”

The lodge came into view, and Lily said quickly, “Let’s just say we’ll see what happens, how about that.”

“I’d call it progress.” Chase slowed. “I’ve got to check my calls and go over a few things with Alisha and Philippe, but what do you say about a drive into town tonight for dinner and hiking boots. We ought to be able to find a place that’s open for the boots.”

Lily considered it. She had to eat, and she really needed boots. Chase was good company, and the idea of an evening away from four dozen teens and Chase’s older sister was hard to resist. “I could definitely work that into my extraordinarily busy schedule.”