“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.”

Chase grinned. “Outstanding.”

Chapter Eleven

Lily grabbed a quick shower and went in search of Sarah. She found her going over the food lists with Clara.

“How was the hike?” Sarah asked.

“I think of it more as a trek,” Lily said, “but it was fun. The kids seemed to really like it, even the ones who started out doubtful.” She paused. Shannon had been the noticeable standout who’d refused to even pretend to be trying to master the solo set-up exercise. When Alisha had pointed out that all the camp activities had a larger purpose in preparing the campers for actual wilderness experiences, Shannon had merely smirked and wandered off to talk to several of the boys from cabin one. “Most of them, at least.”

Sarah shook her head and Clara snorted. “There’s always a few just putting in time. Something else up?”