Page 100 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“You and your feelings.” Kayleigh huffed out a laugh. “Honestly, they’re usually right. At least where chocolate’s concerned.”

“Thank you.” Lily took a bow, then grinned and held up a second chocolate. “Here’s to new beginnings.”

Kayleigh’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a rare sight. “That means a lot, Lily. And I know you’ll get your big break someday.”

The sentiment warmed Lily’s heart. “If this chocolate is as amazing as I think it is, maybe sooner rather than later.”

“I hope so.” Then Kayleigh took a bite of the chocolate. Her eyes closed and she tilted her head toward the ceiling. Then groaned. “Okay, I think I just got seven cavities. That’s delicious.”

Lily pumped her fist and then took her own bite. Flavor exploded on her tongue—unique, immersive.

And yes, perfect.

The door slammed open behind her. “Good morning,” a baritone rang out.

Carlos stood on the other side of the island, staring at the kitchen behind Lily, his bushy black eyebrows bunched together. He made a huffing noise and shook his head. Gave a small grin. “You are in so much trouble, Hart.”

What—?

But behind him, through the door walked Oscar, a tall fifty-something with a handlebar mustache and piercing brown eyes.

His gaze landed on the tempering machine, still crusted with chocolate on the inside.

He looked at her. “Tell me.” And then he pointed at the machine.

“I’m sorry, sir. I was just getting the machine cleaned.”

“You mean the machine I assigned you to clean last night?”

Lily darted a glance at Kayleigh, whose eyes widened.

“Um, yes. Well, actually, I did clean it but then took the initiative to create some new chocolates for tonight. I worked all night on a new recipe for a bergamot chocolate crunch. That’s not the name—I haven’t come up with the name yet, actually, but?—”

“Ms. Hart?—”

Nope, she couldn’t stop now. “Try one, sir. I think this could be our next big thing. I even wrote down the recipe so we could mass produce it for tonight’s wedding if you like it.”

“Tonight’s menu is already set.”

“Sir, if you’ll just try one, I think?—”

He held up a hand. “I don’t pay you to think. I pay you to do what I assign you. And you clearly haven’t done that.”

“No, but if you’ll just try?—”

“This isn’t the first time, either. You know what’s holding you back? Discipline. You’re impulsive and flighty. Not dependable.”

She stilled, the words pinning her in place. No, that wasn’t…she wasn’t?—

“If you could just taste?—”

“I don’t need to.”

And then he walked over to her plate of chocolates, picked it up, and…

Dumped it in the trash.

She stared at the mess, then back at him. “Have you lost your mind? That—those took me all night!”

---