Page 37 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“I’ll go with you,” Lily said. Anything for some cardamom-free air.

“Great. I’ll introduce you to some of the new shop owners. Be back in a bit, boys.” Dani looped her arm through Lily’s and dragged her toward the food table. “I’m guessing you’ve been so busy getting your own store ready to open that you haven’t had a chance to meet everyone else yet.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I think that’s the case for the others here too. But I wanted everyone to feel like part of Jonathon Island.”

“So they’ll feel invested in the community and want to stay?”

“Exactly.” She squeezed Lily’s arm, then released it once they’d reached the table. “Though whatever happens with the shop, I hope you find a reason to stay here. Now that you’re back, this town might get fun again.”

Lily laughed. “C’mon, I wasn’t that much of a troublemaker.”

Dani waggled her eyebrows. “I do remember some late-night golf cart shenanigans.”

“What?” She laughed. “What happens on the island stays on the island.”

“Exactly,” Dani said, winking. They’d reached the table.

Lily piled her plate with mini meatballs, fruit kebabs, tiny quiches, and some carrots to round out the food groups.

Then Dani led her to a group of people talking in the grass. “Hey, guys. This is Lily Hart, one of the business owners at the fudge shop.”

An older gentleman with oversized glasses and a combover licked barbecue sauce off his thumb. “That’s the shop with the competition, yes?”

Dani nodded. “Sure is, Fred. Lily, this is Fred Miller and his wife, Ginny. They run Miller Antiques just up the road from you, between Jemma Swanson’s glassblowing shop—she’s around here somewhere—and Good Day Coffee.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too, honey.” His wife, a sweet-looking older woman with powder-blue hair and wrinkled cheeks, leaned in closer. “So, just how do you plan on beating your competition?”

“By making the best fudge on the island.” Lily winked—because honestly, what else could she say?

“That’s not enough, though, is it?” A dark-haired man in his fifties with a shrewd brow handed the woman beside him his plate and unbuttoned his jacket over his girth. “We’ve all competed for these spots, so we know that it’s not just about what you’re offering, but how you’re offering it.”

“So true, so true.” Dani flashed a smile, but Lily could tell it was strained. “Lil, this is Mickey and Jocelyn Harper. They are running Island Souvenirs next door to Doug’s Market.”

“Welcome to Jonathon Island.” Lily couldn’t keep the shaking out of her voice. Because as much as Dani had glossed over Mickey’s statement, he was right.

After another round of introductions in a separate group—this one much younger, including the owners of Holly’s Flowers (Holly Joseph), Maritime Dreams (Grace Marconi), Bella Island Boutique (Britta O’Keefe), and Hair Haven Salon (Ivy Dawson)—Lily’s head was spinning. The buzz of conversation grated on her nerves. And yes, there was a general excitement in the air as the new business owners spoke about the possibilities, all the ways they would capitalize on the hotel’s reopening in stages, how amazing this business opportunity was, how they planned to attract clientele.

But Lily didn’t want to talk bottom lines and brokers and business plans. Her fingers itched to move, to create.

She didn’t see a single woman wearing a tie-dyed skirt. Mostly pants, blouses, no one in heels, but no one wearing tennis shoes, either.

Business people.

As opposed to the neighborhood fudge maker. Sheesh, she might be lucky she didn’t have chocolate in her hair.

Dani could fill her in later about the details of the festival and what was required of the business owners, but right now, Lily needed to get out of here. Go somewhere she actually belonged.

For now.

* * *

This was a mistake.Morethan a mistake.

It just bugged him that Lily had left the event.

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