Zoe sat on the park bench, staring down at her uneaten Reuben sandwich. She was sure it was delicious because Donovan had made it for her and insisted she take a late lunch break once the customers died down. They’d been working nonstop for the last three days, and he’d noticed she was starting to lose her pep. The Ice Heaven had seen a steady stream of patrons from the time it opened until the last person was served.

The soup was flowing, and her cash register was overflowing.

She leaned back and took a bite, the melted cheese and sauerkraut igniting her taste buds. Just like the one she was holding, Donovan’s sandwiches—and his soups—were an overnight hit. When they weren’t serving customers, they were in the kitchen testing out new combinations, working until the late hours. She’d even got a chance to show off to him her culinary skills beyond frozen yogurt.

It’d been exhilarating working side by side with the master chef and at the same time . . . well, if she was honest with herself, undeniably frustrating. Donovan had been true to his word, acting completely professional around her. There was no flirting, touching, trying to kiss her.

And that sucked.

“Mind if I sit here?”

She looked up to see Will standing in front of her, his black wool coat opened, revealing his suit and tie underneath.

“Sure.” She scooted to the side. “Nice day, huh?”

“It sure is.” The sun was bright, and the temperature had risen way above freezing. She lifted her sandwich. “Care to split Donovan’s Reuben specialty?”

“I’d love it. I’m starving.” He took the half she offered, taking a bite. His eyes rolled back, and he took another. “Man, the guy can cook.”

She nodded. She hadn’t seen Will in a few days, but she’d heard he’d donated an oil change for their prizes. She grimaced thinking back to the car grease on her hands when she’d opened the mysterious trunk back in January and Rachel’s immediate assumption it meant Will was Zoe’s soul mate.

“Not good?”

“Excuse me.” She glanced over at Will.

“The scowl on your face. Do you not like the Reuben?”

“Oh, no. I was thinking about something else. This right here”—she held what was left of her half up in the air—“is perfection.” She paused, adding, “How’s your day going?”

“It’s good. Crazy busy. Emma and her bridesmaids are trying on dresses.”

“That’ll be fun.” No doubt, he’d have his hands full. She’d heard both Abby and Caitlin were in the wedding party. She was happy to hear the wedding was still going on even though Emma reuniting with her dad didn’t go exactly as planned.

Abby had stopped by the Ice Heaven the other day to wish Donovan luck and had elaborated on what Sheila had shared at her house that Emma was heartbroken over never finding her father. Her big dream was that they’d reunite and he’d walk her down the aisle to marry Jason. Still, the summer wedding was moving forward as planned. “I’m sure this afternoon will be a blast.” She gave him him a sympathetic smile.

“Five women on a mission. Yeah. Shoot me now.” Will polished off the half-sandwich. “Abby will be ordering me around while Caitlin gets everyone lit off champagne, no doubt. She called me this morning to make sure I chilled five bottles.” He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll send them your way for Donovan to sober them up with his soup.”

“Please do.” She cocked her head, curious to ask him a question. “Do you like what you’re doing?”

“Working at the boutique?” Will was quiet for a few beats before saying, “You know, I do. I mean . . . When my mom asked me to take over for a few months, I was like ‘no way.’ I miss the guys in the auto body shop and getting my hands dirty. But . . . I don’t know . . . My brother has things under control. I’m learning a lot about the business.” He leaned in. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to my first bridal show next weekend in Albany.”

She couldn’t help but laugh envisioning Will amongst hundreds of crazy brides trying on dresses and sampling wedding cakes. “Brave man.”

“So why aren’t you at the Ice Heaven?”

“Lunch.” She crumpled up her sandwich wrapper. “And I needed a little break.”

“Your new boss cracking the whip.”

“My new business partner,” she corrected. “He’s quite intense.”

“That’s my boy.” Will leaned back. “But he has a lighter side. Has he asked you out yet?”

Her heart started to race. Asked me out? She twisted her body toward him. “Why would you ask that?”

“Seriously? You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“That Donovan’s crazy about you.”

“He is? What has he said?” She pounced that question on him, then drew it way back. “I mean, does he want to go on a date with me?”

“The man was ready to marry you.”

She leaned back on the bench. False alarm, heart. False alarm. “Um . . . That was pretend.”

“Was it? Trust me, the guy is head over heels. You should have seen his face when he caught sight of you in the wedding dress. We saw you in the front lobby. It only took him seconds to agree to fill in for me.” He added, “I mean . . . I would have went through with it if Rachel wasn’t there.”

Zoe sat stunned as Will continued to babble on about not wanting to upset Rachel. The only question in her head: Did Donovan really like her? Sure, their kisses had been steamy, but why would he make it a point to say the very next day that they should keep things between them professional?

Will’s finger tap to her knee brought her back to the moment. “Sorry. I didn’t think he was all that interested in me.”

“Well, trust me. I know my buddy, and he definitely is.” He brought his hands together and cracked a knuckle. “Question is how do you feel?”

She let out a cool breath. “I think I like him, too.” She paused. “I know I like him . . . a lot.” Wow. There it was. She’d finally admitted her feelings to another living being. She glanced over at Will. Who would have guessed that her only confidant in town would be the resident lady’s man who she’d made out with at the Holiday Hook Up? “What should I do?”

“Tell him.” He stood, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. “Trust me. You have nothing to lose. I’ll see you later.”

“See you.” She said goodbye, letting his words sink in: You have nothing to lose.

Nothing but her dignity if Donovan truly wasn’t interested and meant what he’d said about keeping things professional between them.

Also, there was the matter of him not remembering their backstory. How could he ever be interested in dating a woman he so easily cast aside?

She sat alone a little longer, catching a glimpse of Adam with Bethany, crossing the park. Now, there was a cute couple totally in love. She started to wave in their direction but stopped to watch as Adam took Bethany’s hand in his and bent down on his knee.

Oh my God. He’s proposing. She suddenly felt awkward witnessing the private moment between the two, but she couldn’t not watch it. Her insides warmed as Bethany blurted out “yes,” and Adam cupped her face and kissed her.

The happy couple broke apart and proceeded out of the park hand in hand, so caught up in the moment they hadn’t seen Zoe.

Zoe’s head dropped down to the crumpled-up sandwich wrapper in her hand. Would she ever get to experience what Bethany just did?

Doubt crept into her head. Probably not.

She shook her head defiantly and bolted up. Enough was enough. It was time for her confident, self-assured self to get in the game. That side of her had shown up to launch her shop last summer. Now, she needed that same confidence to go get her man.

Or at least see if he’d go on a date with her.

She dropped her wrapper in a nearby trash can and beelined in the direction of the Ice Heaven. She wanted to experience what Adam and Bethany had, and she needed to go find out for herself if the guy she was interested in might feel the same way.