“At the moment there’s nothing to really even consider in that regard, but my stay here does have an end date.”

“I suppose if that’s the situation, there isn’t really much to say. I hope you enjoy dinner.”

“I plan to,” Lily said, happy to move on to safer ground. Anything to do with Chase seemed to catch her off-balance. Not a comfortable or common place for her to be. “I like being here, but it’s…remote.”

Sarah laughed. “That would be the definition, yes. What do you miss?”

“Shopping,” Lily said instantly and then laughed herself. “Although, goodness knows, I haven’t had a chance to do that in forever.”

“Then you should go and…shop.”

“The beeper?”

“We really rely on the radios, since cell service is so spotty up here. If you’re going to be with Chase, I can contact you that way.”

“If you’re sure,” Lily said.

“Go, and have a good time.” Sarah smiled. “Really.”

“Thanks,” Lily said, relieved that Sarah recognized there was nothing to worry about. After all, how much could happen in one summer?

* * *

Chase waited on the front porch and, when five minutes went by, began to worry that Lily might change her mind. She appreciated how Lily considered a problem from every angle before coming to a decision—most of the time. She’d rather Lily didn’t have too much time to rethink her verdict on dinner. When Lily appeared and smiled at her, Chase’s tension ebbed and a buzz of anticipation took its place. “All set?”

“Yes. Sarah said she would contact you by radio if they needed me for any reason.”

“Good enough. Let’s get out of here before Sarah remembers something I need to do.”

Lily bumped her shoulder. “Stop. She’s not that bad.”

“Okay. You’re right—but I still don’t want to take any chances. I’ve been trying to make this happen for two weeks.”

As they walked off the porch, Chase rested her hand in the small of Lily’s back. The contact was casual, and Lily found she liked it very much. “Considering you’ve been working every night for most of that time, maybe you should be taking the night off.”

Chase gave her a slow-lidded, heavy look that caught Lily in between breaths with a wave of arousal that made her heart lurch.

“That’s the first inane thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Chase said.

“Consider the statement retracted,” Lily murmured and threaded her arm around Chase’s waist as they walked. She’d already done it before she could catch herself, and the solid feel of Chase’s body beneath her hand felt so right, she kept it there.

Chase lightly stroked Lily’s back as they walked. “Anything special you’d like for dinner?”

“Something I can’t get here.”

“That covers a lot of ground,” Chase said with a laugh. “How does Thai sound?”