Jonathan turned her to face him. “Don’t lump me in with that asshole. I’d never throw you to the sharks, not without a rescue plan. Besides, much as I’d like to sleep with you, I won’t. I can’t lose you again.”

“You want to sleep with me?” she asked, surprised. “Since when?”

“Since always.” He laughed. “Have you looked in the mirror? Of course I want to sleep with you. Everyone wants to sleep with you.”

Lily looked into his eyes. He was selfish and self-centered and a bit of a drama queen, but he was also fiercely loyal and fiercely honest to those he loved. “Fine, I’ll take over the ordering. But I’m buying us better coffee.”

“See, I knew you were the right person for the job,” he said.

Lily’s three o’clock arrived. Char Kincaid again.

“I’ve got another date,” she said proudly. “But I can’t do my hair as good as you. I need your help.” She limped a little, leaning on her cane as she sat in Lily’s chair. “Oh, Lord have mercy, it feels great to sit.”

“Your injury acting up?” Lily asked, worried.

“Nah. I had to swim for half an hour this morning to atone for the donuts I ate. I’ve been walking, too, on the easy trails. Need to try to get back in shape before ski season, but I keep working against myself.”

“You still get on the trails? And ski?” Lily asked in surprise as she began to work on Char’s hair.

“Well, sometimes, but only cross-country skiing these days. And of course I have to sneak it in now. Your mama helps me when she’s in town.”

Lily blinked and stopped what she was doing. “My mom comes to Cedar Ridge?”

“Couple times a year at least,” Char said, and frowned. “You didn’t know?”

“No.” She’d had no idea, her mom had never said a word. “We get together and get on the mountain,” Char said. “Not Cedar Ridge, though. My sons would plotz if they thought I was still cross-country skiing. We go to Eagle Mountain.”

Lily could only stare at her. One thing at a time. “But Ashley …,” she said, trailing off.

“What about her?”

“She died on the mountain.”

“Yes,” Char said softly, and squeezed Lily’s hand. “And it was awful and tragic and we all hate that it happened. And trust me, no one’s forgotten about it. But, honey, that was ten years ago. Life goes on.”

“But … how?”

Char’s voice was very gentle now. “By knowing in your gut that Ashley would want you to be happy. She’d want you to live your life, Lily, not just mourn hers.”