Page 66 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

Laughing, his cousin flexed. “You think soup’s gonna sustain these bad boys? Of course I’m still starving.” He plopped down beside Declan, the fries between them. “Don’t mind if I do. But you’ve gotta tell me what’s going on.”

“Uh, pass.” Declan opened the container, the top of which was slightly damp with steam. The golden fries were hardly visible under the layers of chili, cheese, and onions. He pulled out one of two plastic forks—Jordi must have thought he was sharing with someone—and handed it to Brandon.

“Come on, dude.” Brandon stabbed a fry and, leaning over the container, managed to get it and a mountain of chili into his mouth without spilling a drop. After he chewed, he pointed the fork at Declan. “You haven’t given me an update for over a week, when you said, and I quote, ‘Working in the same place as my high school flame might have been a mistake.’”

“I still stand by that statement.”

“So.” Brandon shifted on the step, leaning back against the staircase post. “Have you kissed her yet?”

“What? No.”

“But you want to.”

Declan leaned forward and buried the bottom part of his face in his hands, groaning. “I don’twantto want to.”

“And why not?”

“Because it’s complicated.”

His cousin took another stab into the chili fries. “From what I can tell, you guys complement each other really well. And you clearly care about her.”

“Of course I do. We’re friends, I think. Like today when everyone was waving around that newspaper, I could see her sinking in on herself and I just, I don’t know. I want to help her.”

Brandon swallowed. “Friends? Does she know that?”

He sighed. “Not sure. Maybe. The other night, we put some of the past to rest. Apologized. Agreed that the family feud was stupid. But yes, I don’t know. There are these moments when I think, maybe…”

“You could fix things. Go back to the past.”

“I don’t want the past. I want…”

“Her.”

He sighed.

“I knew it!” Brandon hit him on the shoulder. “You’re crazy about her.”

“Crazy’s a little over the top.”

“Cra-zy, cuz. You always were.”

Yeah, he had been. In fact, that’s why he lost his head a little around her. Why he’d gotten into trouble. So maybe he should pay attention.

“Maybe. But it changes nothing. I’m still leaving for my job in Chicago in a few weeks.”

“You wouldn’t consider staying?”

“What would I do here?”

“You’re a smart guy, Declan. You’d figure something out.” Brandon looked down at the container, which was almost empty. “Sorry, man. I ate all your food. You want the last bite?”

“You go ahead. I’m not hungry anymore.”

Shrugging, Brandon polished it off, then tossed the plastic fork into the container and closed it, sitting back against the railing again, studying Declan.

“What?”

“You said what would happen if Lily won, but what about if you do? After that article, it’s a strong possibility if it wasn’t already.”

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