Zoe maneuvered through the crowd, greeting everyone she could with a warm hello before finally reaching the Ice Heaven’s front door.

Her front door.

She took a deep breath, letting the cool air jolt her lungs, but she didn’t really need to be forced awake. No. She was on a natural high from seeing a crowd around her entrance. All these people were waiting in line to get into the Ice Heaven, and it was only 9:00 a.m.!

Sure, those wonderful prizes that Donovan was giving out probably drove them here, but so what? They’d have to buy something in order to see if they won, and that was good for business.

Donovan had shared his plans last night. He’d mark the bottom of two cups each day, picking two of the many donated items to give out. With at least one purchase, customers could also enter the raffle for the thousand-dollar grand prize drawing to be announced in two weeks.

Jason Levine, the town paper’s reporter, was even doing a story and promised to push it out to all of his western New York contacts.

Things were looking up, and it was all due to Donovan. He’d really come through big time with a clever way of getting people into her shop. She also knew that once they tasted his food, they’d come back for more. Regardless of her feelings for and history with Donovan—albeit a history he couldn’t even remember—becoming his business partner might prove to be the best decision she’d ever made.

And it all started today. She pushed the key in the lock and turned, opening up the glass door. “I’ll see you all inside,” she said to the crowd before ducking in.

Pulling off her pink knit hat, she maneuvered through her shop, her gaze resting on Donovan who hovered in front of the stove. Loud rock music filled the air. He glanced up with a warm smile. “Mornin’.”

Her breath caught, because once again he was as sexy as ever, this time in a black shirt and white chef pants. Her mouth went dry, but somehow, she was able to push out a “Good morning” back.

Last night had been absolutely perfect. Announcing their business to all those people . . . staying after and watching the game . . . getting to know Donovan a little better . . .

And talk about that kiss. Holy hotness. It was as intense as their lip lock in the Sugar Spoon, but longer. She could have stayed in his arms for hours . . .

Stupid Marc. When Donovan tapped his phone, and she caught a glimpse of the owner of the Rocky Top, she’d full-on panicked. There was no way she was going to stick around for Donovan to introduce them via a video chat. What if Marc remembered her? He was the one who hired her, after all.

So, in typical fashion, she bolted. It was starting to become her signature move.

She joined Donovan in the kitchen, the delicious cinnamon aroma filling the air. He reached over to the counter and picked up a Star Lite coffee cup, handing it to her. “Betty says, ‘break a leg.’”

“Thank you.” God, this man was so thoughtful. He had to have so many things on his mind, least of all keeping her caffeinated. She took a huge sip. Still, she appreciated it. “What are you making?”

“An apple-spice breakfast soup. Once the crowd started to form, I thought we could hand out some samples. Keep them warm while they wait.” He gave his soup a stir.

Again, thoughtful. Not a word she would have associated with Donovan. “That’s a great idea.” Had he always been this generous and she hadn’t seen it?

She drank her coffee in silence. How could she see anything but his ability to fly off the handle when provoked? He never gave her a chance to stick around and see his business sense, his creativity, his kindness . . . No, she only got to see the bad side to Donovan Foster.

And by “see,” she meant firsthand experience.

But now that she was witnessing his other sides, it was clear there was more to him. Maybe something could happen with this guy? It’s all she thought about last night as she tossed and turned.

Perhaps if she confessed how they knew each other it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.

In the early morning hours, she’d half convinced herself that being honest with him wouldn’t backfire.

But only half. The other half of her that was incredibly insecure won out. This was Donovan, a man who cast her aside the minute he thought she did something to taint his reputation. She’d keep her secret a little longer. Eventually, it would come out when Marc came to town. According to Donovan, she had a few months.

Maybe by June Heavenly Soups would be such a huge success that Donovan would forgive her for keeping this secret. Even her insecurities agreed that time might be on her side, especially if they could keep crowds lined up outside the shop.

Maybe by then he’d also fall head over heels in love with her.

She bit back a smile, watching him maneuver around her kitchen while singing to himself. Just the thought of Donovan falling for her warmed her insides. Feeling flushed, she set down her coffee, peeled off her jacket, and replaced it with her apron. “What can I do to help?” she asked.

He pulled out a package of sample cups and handed them to her. “Mind arranging these for me?”

“Sure.” She took the package from his hand and opened it, pulling out the cups.

He moved in closer, his spicy scent tickled her nose. “So, about last night.”

She dropped one of the sample cups. She quickly bent down to retrieve it. Oh, God. He wanted to talk about it. “I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye. I realized I had to get home. My dad . . . um . . . was . . . calling me. I mean Skyping me. I had to be in front of my computer.”

He folded his arms for a second, a glint in his eye that told her he wasn’t buying it. “And it was faster to walk back to your car that was parked here than to let me drive you back?”

“Yep.” She grabbed her coffee cup and crossed the kitchen. Fibbing wasn’t her forte.

But keeping her secret was.

“Next time let me take you home or to your car.” He chuckled. “Wherever we started from. Deal?”

Next time. Her heart picked up its beats at that thought. “Deal.”

His gaze locked with hers, and her limbs went weak. She tried to think of something to say . . . what were the perfect words to tell him she had a good time and that she was falling for him? Before she could say anything, he reached out and touched her arm.

“Look, Zoe. I didn’t mean to cross the line. It was a mistake. I’m really excited about our new venture.” He stepped back and leaned against the counter. “I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize it.”

Disappointment slammed into her. He wasn’t interested in her. “Right. Our new venture,” she deadpanned. How could she have been so stupid to think he might have feelings for her? “I agree. It’s better if we keep things professional.”

“Agreed.” He stepped back to the stove, picking up the silver soup ladle. “Shall we get started?”

“Okay.” Was that it? Was the attraction she thought they both were fighting easily settled just like that? She fetched a tray from under the prep table and pretended she wasn’t the least bit rattled by his apparent disinterest.

Donovan placed all the sample cups on the tray. “That should tide them over. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to start serving lunch beginning at ten thirty.”

“Yeah . . . um . . . that’s fine.” She grabbed the tray with both hands. “I’ll go take these outside,” she offered, wanting to get out of the kitchen STAT.

She pasted on a smile and carried the tray to the front, pushing open the door with her back.

Maybe he was right. Anything else but being his business partner was bound to get messy. Especially when Marc showed up. For now, she needed to concentrate one hundred percent on her business.

Sure, this morning she’d carried into the shop a small amount of hope that last night might have been the start of something special with Donovan. At the very least, they might flirt a little, but keeping things professional between them really was for the best.

At least that was the message she internally sent down to her broken heart.