Page 65 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

And then there was Lily. He needed to think about her. About their situation. Did they even have a situation?

There was no better way to think than greasy food and baseball.

He finally approached the wooden bar, where a blonde woman sat on a stool chatting with a brunette waitress cleaning glasses behind the bar. Jordi Chamberlain, the pastor’s middle child, flashed him her winning beauty-pageant smile that was more friendly than flirtatious. “Well, Declan Kelley. Hi, there. Look, Holland, it’s our local celebrity.”

The blonde—Jordi’s best friend, Holland White—turned in her chair and grinned. “It is indeed.” A copy of the infamous paper was spread in front of her.

The front photo, of him and Lily in the fudge shop lobby, facing off, arms crossed and frowning like rivals, caused a hitch in his chest. Dani had taken those photos when she’d first learned about the reporter. She’d had to do many takes because Declan and Lily couldn’t stop laughing. It had been a good day.

Now he didn’t know if he’d hear Lily laugh again. The article had said some pretty terrible things about her fudge.

Declan groaned at the women’s attention. “Not you guys too.”

Holland rolled up the paper and smacked his arm with it. “Nah, we know better. We remember what you looked like in junior high with those braces. And you had zits just like the rest of us. Now you’re a bigstar.”

“Oh, yeah.” Jordi grabbed a bagged-up Styrofoam container and slid it across the bar to Declan. “And remember that time his brother snuck in and cut part of his hair in his sleep?”

Holland snorted. “Declan was sooooo upset about his precious hairdo.”

“Understandable. He had to shave his whole head and his ears stuck out like Dumbo.”

“Thanks for keeping me humble, ladies.”

“Always.” Jordi’s smile faltered. “I do wish they hadn’t done Lily dirty like that, though. I mean, just look what he said about her fudge!” She grabbed the paper from Holland, her eyes scanning the article. “Ah, here.The fudge was a symphony with out-of-tune instruments, honking and blaring, as if not even attempting to play the same sheet of music. I mean, come on. Who says that?”

“Well, the man has a point.” Isaac plopped his bucket next to Declan, and water sloshed over the sides. “Have you guys had her fudge? Way too salty in my opinion.”

“Didn’t she, like, go to school for candy making? I’m guessing her creations are exquisite.” Jordi wiped down her counter with a rag. “Go away if you can’t say anything nice, Isaac. In fact, I see a dirty table over?—”

“School or not, she’s got an overinflated sense of her abilities. I’m thankful thatsomeonefinally brought her down a notch.” Isaac turned to face Declan, practically lounging against the bar. His eyebrows lifted in challenge. “What about you, big brother? You seem upset, but you should be reveling in your victory over her.”

He started at him. Since when was Isaac on his cheer squad? “I don’t wish her to fail, Isaac.”

Except, wasn’t that was this competition was about? Someone had to win, and someone had to lose. A.k.a. fail.

“Whatever, dude.” Isaac walked off whistling toward the kitchen.

Holland frowned. “Tell Lily that those who know her know that she’s talented. In fact, I’ll be by soon to grab some of her fudge. Oh.” She seemed to realize who she was talking to. “I mean, I’ll buy some of yours too. For the competition. I just want Lily to know we support her.”

“No, it’s okay. Go give her a boost. It’ll make her feel good.” He lifted the bag to Jordi. “Thanks for this.”

Maybe the chili fries hadn’t been worth all this. Probably he should have gone in through the kitchen. Declan hauled it across Main Street and up Jonathon Boulevard toward his parents’ house, where he’d finally, at last, be blessedly alone.

Except maybe not.

Because when he got to the front steps, he heard someone calling his name. Brandon came out of Grandma’s house and jogged over.

“Hey, man. It’s been a few days.” Brandon smacked Declan on the back. “Seems things are going well if that article has anything to say about it.”

“Don’t start.”

“Whoa, what’s eating you?” Brandon sniffed. “And are those chili fries I smell?”

“Yeah. Mom’s.” Declan turned to the door. But much as he loved his cousin, if he let him in, he wouldn’t leave for hours. Instead, he sat down on the front stoop, setting the container of fries next to him. “Wanna join me for a sec? How’s Grandma?” He had been so busy with the competition, Declan hadn’t been able to stop by and visit much since coming home. Hopefully she’d be at church tomorrow.

“Doing okay. She just fed me a can of soup and some grilled cheese before heading to bed.”

“In other words, you’re still starving?”

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