Page 51 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

Her jaw set tight, her arms folded.

“But it’s so small-town,” Dani said. “And besides, we all know that it’s not a thing anymore.”

Hello, did anyone see theblue line of tapedown the center of the shop?

“I’d much rather people visit us for our fudge,” Lily said rigidly.

“Yeah, but the extra press would be good for business, especially if it gets published beyond Detroit,” Dani said.

Declan sighed. “I suppose it would get people in here, and that’s the goal.”

“Exactly.”

“When would the article come out?” Lily asked.

“Not sure, but hopefully in the paper’s weekend edition so there’s a few weeks between it and the actual festival. He’s going to promote the festival too. Oh. And the guy wants to sample your fudge so he can give his opinion as part of the piece.”

And now, Dani smiled.

Uh-oh. Maybe this wouldn’t be good for business after all.

Because in a head-to-head battle of whose fudge would rank better in a food reviewer’s opinion?

Lily Hart had it in the bag.

ChapterEight

“You look pretty. You heading to the wedding?”

Lily glanced back from the front door into her parents’ living room, where Mom sat drinking coffee on the love seat. Her mother had pulled her hair back in a loose ponytail and still wore sweatpants from her early-morning walk around the neighborhood with Dad.

“Thanks. And yes.” She smoothed her hands over the yellow sundress she’d selected in her hurry to get out the door.

“You’re a little dressed up for catering.” Her mother quirked an eyebrow.

“I’m, well, uh?—”

“I’m kidding. It’s nice to see you out of leggings and a T-shirt. You and Declan are catering together, right?”

Of course she’d heard about that—small town.

“Yes. Lily glanced at the clock over the mantel. “I’m supposed to meet Declan at ten-thirty to get everything loaded up, so…”

“HowisDeclan?” Mom took a sip, eying Lily over the lip of the mug.

“Um, fine, I guess.” Lily fidgeted in her strappy sandals—the ones that weren’t very practical but were definitely cute. “Well, notfine, like cute. I mean, fine, as in…fine.” Yikes. Mom would see right through that one. “I just mean?—”

“I think I know what you mean.” Her mother sighed. “Lily, your father and I are concerned.”

Oh. And this was why she’d tried to sneak in late and leave early—last thing she wanted was an inquisition about the competition.

Which had slowly not felt like competition as they’d worked together this week to fill the order. More like co-workers.

The kind who worked together and most definitely did not think about a near kiss that maybe she’d dreamed up. And refused to wish for.

Because it would never, could never, happen.

Sighing, Lily closed the door. “I know, Mom, but you don’t need to be. We’re still rivals. And I’m going to win this stupid competition. I told you about that reviewer that’s coming in four days.”

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