Page 3 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“Listen, I’m grateful that Oscar hired me.”

“Are you?” More suds went flying as Kayleigh dropped the auger into the rinse sink. “Because you seem intent on throwing that opportunity away.”

Okay, ouch. “I just think this job should be, I don’t know, fun. Creative.” She scraped the remaining chocolate down the drain.

Kayleigh sighed. “I’m sorry, Lily. I shouldn’t have said that. You’ve clearly got a lot of talent. I just think you should be careful. Stay focused. I won’t always be here to clean up your messes.”

Lily’s head shot up. Never mind theclean up your messespart. “Are youleaving?”

Kayleigh grabbed a towel. Turned, her mouth tight.

Oh no.

Finally, “Oscar recommended me for a job as Assistant Master Chocolatier at a new hotel in Nashville.”

A beat. Then, somehow, “Wow. Congratulations,” emerged from her mouth. Nah, she could do better. Kayleigh was herfriend. “That sounds like an amazing opportunity. But I’ll miss you.”

Kayleigh lifted a shoulder. “They wanted someone with a degree. Otherwise, I’m sure Oscar would have recommended you, since you’ve been here longer than me.”

She didn’t bother to argue that an associate’s degree was a degree. But Lily knew what Kayleigh meant. They wanted a bachelor’s degree, and Kayleigh had graduated top of her class with a bachelor’s in Chocolates and Confectionery Arts Entrepreneurship from the Sunshine State Culinary Institute.

The same program Lily had failed out of five years ago. So yeah, there was that.

“Lily…” Kayleigh took a step toward her.

Lily held up her hand. “I’m fine. It’s fine. And great for you. Seriously. You deserve it.” She gave Kayleigh a quick hug. “And to celebrate—here.” She moved to her plate of chocolates, pulling one off and holding it out to Kayleigh’s hands. “You can be the first to try them.”

“You haven’t tried one yet?”

“Don’t need to. I did several small batches that weren’t right, but I just have a feeling about this batch.”

“You and your feelings.” Kayleigh huffed out a laugh. “Honestly, they’re usually right. At least where chocolate’s concerned.”

“Thank you.” Lily took a bow, then grinned and held up a second chocolate. “Here’s to new beginnings.”

Kayleigh’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a rare sight. “That means a lot, Lily. And I know you’ll get your big break someday.”

The sentiment warmed Lily’s heart. “If this chocolate is as amazing as I think it is, maybe sooner rather than later.”

“I hope so.” Then Kayleigh took a bite of the chocolate. Her eyes closed and she tilted her head toward the ceiling. Then groaned. “Okay, I think I just got seven cavities. That’s delicious.”

Lily pumped her fist and then took her own bite. Flavor exploded on her tongue—unique, immersive.

And yes, perfect.

The door slammed open behind her. “Good morning,” a baritone rang out.

Carlos stood on the other side of the island, staring at the kitchen behind Lily, his bushy black eyebrows bunched together. He made a huffing noise and shook his head. Gave a small grin. “You are in so much trouble, Hart.”

What—?

But behind him, through the door walked Oscar, a tall fifty-something with a handlebar mustache and piercing brown eyes.

His gaze landed on the tempering machine, still crusted with chocolate on the inside.

He looked at her. “Tell me.” And then he pointed at the machine.

“I’m sorry, sir. I was just getting the machine cleaned.”

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