Page 56 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

He didn’t say anything, didn’t react, just kept dancing.

So, “But before that, I failed. Out of business school, I mean. My parents don’t know and I don’t have the heart to tell them. They’d be so disappointed.”

Her throat filled. And yet, he still kept moving.

“That’s why I need to win, Declan. I’m already an embarrassment to my family. I need to show them I can be successful. I need to make them proud.”

Now he stopped. Looked down at her. She raised her gaze to his, and shoot—a tear had dropped onto her cheek. “Aw, Lil.” He swiped away her tear and tilted her chin upward. “Don’t you know? They’resoproud of you.”

“Only because they believe the lie I told. But if they knew how much I struggled…” She blew out a terrible breath. “Who am I kidding? They’ll know as soon as you win, and we lose the Hart fudge shop for good.”

She put her head back on his chest, not sure why.

Silence. Then, “Don’t count yourself out just yet, Lily.”

She looked at him again.

“I’m serious. You didn’t see yourself today. Your smile, the way you engaged everyone with ease. Looked them in the eyes and laughed. Made each guest feel special.” Declan’s voice held strength, conviction. “That, plus your incredible creations are a recipe for success.”

This man. How did he keep doing this to her? Making her forget the past—the wounds and want…

Well, to lift up on her tiptoes and to kiss him.

She swallowed. “You really think so?”

“I really do,” he said softly.

And the words of the song swept around her.

For you are mine…

“Dec…”

His gaze roamed her face, settled on her lips.

Yes. Oh?—

Sprinkles, cold splashes on her head, dribbled down her face. The music stopped.

“Rain!” someone from the dance floor yelled, and Declan offered a wry smile and shook his head. Around them people ran for cover, shouting.

But not Declan.

He just stood there, looking at her. Rain dripped from his Roman nose, from the now-loose strands of his hair, and she wanted nothing more than to push her hands through it.

And finally, “Hey you two—get out of the rain!”

The spell was broken. She stepped away from him and he shucked off his jacket.

Held it over her. “We should…” His gaze flitted to her lips.

Okay, maybe not broken completely.

“Should what?” Her voice lifted over the pounding of the rain on the dance floor.

“We should probably cover the fudge.”

She blinked. “Right. The fudge.”

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