It was hard to concentrate, but she had work to do. Cami broke off a corner of the first batch of fudge. She touched it to the tip of her tongue, waiting for the chocolate to melt in her mouth like buttery sugar.

She closed her eyes. It was good, but not as good as Aunt Sophie’s. She pushed the giant tray aside and started stacking the ingredients to try another batch. She had read the recipe repeatedly, and though she had measured everything precisely, something was off. It definitely didn’t taste like the fudge her aunt sold at the shop.

She laughed to herself, remembering Aunt Sophie always said she baked her sweets with love. She wondered if sex was part of that equation. Because this morning she woke up more satisfied than she had been in years. Evan’s heavy frame had been draped across her body. It was just one time. And she wasn’t going to make a big deal about not having a chance to refill her birth control prescription since she had moved back. But there was something magical about the way he had taken her last night. Like it was their first time all over again. Like she belonged to him the way she used to.

She blushed when she thought about how he called her his virgin. It was reminiscent of the past, but that’s what she had been. Untouched by anyone, except Evan. Her body burned in the shower, missing him, but he had rushed out saying he had to get to the office.

Cami twirled across the kitchen and turned on the radio. A Bing Crosby Christmas song played and she started singing along.

Maybe she needed to try one of the candy recipes. She had already made three attempts at the fudge. Cami flipped through the recipe box until she landed on one of her favorites.

“Oh my goodness. It’s the mini peppermint ganache recipe.” She clutched it between her fingers. It was an undertaking, but with Bing singing, she thought it was worth a try.

Cami rummaged through the fridge and the pantry, gathering the extra ingredients.

She swirled the cream into the center, leaning against the counter as she watched the mixer combine the layers of chocolate. As soon as her hands touched the stainless steel surface, she pictured Evan. It was like a violent shock to her heart when she saw his piercing eyes staring back at her. And that kiss? She swallowed hard, trying to push it from her head. The first thing she did this morning was scour the counter with cleaning solution.

The beater hit the sides of the bowl, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him. His head between her legs. The way he made her come over and over. There was something about the possessive way his lips took hers that made her think there was a part of Evan Jacobs that she needed to know more of. She didn’t like to think about him being with other women, but he wasn’t the same man in bed she knew before.

She turned off the mixer and scooped the mixture into a flat pan. She hoped this was the right one.

The heat from the oven curled into the kitchen when she slid the pan inside. She set the timer for an hour. Now she needed to make the ganache.

“Cami is that you?” She heard someone call her name.

“Yes.” She wished her voice sounded more confident. She turned from the pot on the stove.

“Oh my gosh.” Jamie Braxton ran past the counter and pulled her into a giant hug. “Samantha told me she saw you, but I hadn’t been by. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok.” Cami blushed. It wasn’t like she was out making the rounds. She had holed up in the apartment and the shop, trying to bring it back to life. And if she was being honest with herself, she was hiding out from Evan.

The mayor seemed to be at every turn. It made sense, he did run the town, but she couldn’t live here and stay indoors like a vampire. Eventually, she had to make it out in the open.

“I even missed the tree lighting last night, but I heard you sang. I can’t believe I wasn’t there. Everyone is still talking about. Mellie Miller is probably wishing she had hauled herself out of bed and loaded up on antibiotics.”

She pulled the gloves from her fingers and hung her dark blue coat on the rack. It was evident she planned on staying a while. Cami noticed everything she wore was stitched with her initials.

“Can I get you something? Cocoa?” Cami offered.

Her friend’s eyes lit like a small child’s. “Oh yes. That sounds perfect. It’s freezing outside.”

“Ok. Coming right up. I have some warm milk on the stove so it will only take a minute.”

Cami bustled around the kitchen, stirring the cocoa into the pan meant for the ganache. She could work on that once the tiny crusts were out of the oven. The timer ticked away the seconds on the shelf next to the giant vent. It was in the shape of a cupcake. It was one of the last Christmas gifts she had given Aunt Sophie.

Jamie settled on a stool and watched her prepare the cocoa.

“So tell me what’s new with you. I can’t believe you’re back in Harpers Point. It’s the surprise of the year. After the football team went to the playoffs, of course.”

Cami topped her mug with a heaping handful of mini marshmallows and placed it in front of her on the counter. Jamie ’s curls hung loose and long around her shoulders. She was one of those girls who didn’t age. Cami wondered if she threw on a backpack and marched into the high school if anyone would realize she had graduated twelve years ago. Probably not. Her voice was still light and her smile sweet.

“Me?” Cami wiped her hands on the front of the embroidered apron, bearing The Sweet Treat logo. “I’m trying to get settled. Trying to get the candy store re-opened and the space next door.”

Jamie pressed her thin lips together. “I know that part. What’s the real story? What happened in Nashville? Why are you back here? It seems out of place.”

“I-I…”

Jamie sighed. “No one else here will say this, but me. So I’ll just say it. You outgrew Harpers Point a long time ago, girl. No one expected you to come back. And certainly, not Evan.” She pulled the mug to her lips, hiding a smirk

The frown on Cami’s face was deep enough to make even her nose crinkle. “Evan? What does he have to do with any of this?” Was she wearing a big he-fucked-me-on-the-baking-island sign?

“Yes, Evan. That guy you were going to marry.”

Cami shook her head. “That’s in the past. We were just kids.”

“Well, if you haven’t noticed, he grew up to be the hottest mayor in the state.”

She knew that. She didn’t need reminding of just how hot he was. She had seen every part of his hotness last night and felt it burn inside her. He was sexier than she could have dreamed. “It has nothing to do with Evan,” she protested quietly.

“So if it wasn’t Evan that brought you back, you can’t tell me it was this shop.” She looked up, noticing the cracks in the ceiling. “We all love The Sweet Treat, but really Cam?”

Cami giggled. She felt a flood of relief sweep through her. “How is it that we haven’t talked like this in twelve years and it’s like nothing has changed? You’re exactly the same, Jamie.”

Jamie shrugged. “Some things don’t change.”

Cami pulled up a stool and sat on the other side of the baker’s island. “The truth is I lost my contract. I lost my agent. I had one top twenty hit. The next one hit top forty, and after that it was like I couldn’t gain any traction. It was like all that music magic disappeared. And when the attorney showed up with the deed to the properties, I knew it was a sign.”

“You did always believe in that stuff, didn’t you?”

She nodded. “I did and I do. I think I did everything I could in Nashville. I gave my heart and soul to that city. It was time to come home. I didn’t have anything left to give.”

“And you’re seriously ok with this? No more big fancy award shows, or big time interviews?”

It had been a long time since celebrity status had been a part of her daily life. It had been a small addictive taste. But once it ended, she couldn’t see it coming back. “I’m trying to figure this out. That much I know.”

Jamie smiled. “I’m glad you’re home. And I’m really glad you’re opening the candy shop. Just in time for Christmas. It’s perfect.”

“I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever have it ready. I can’t get Aunt Sophie’s fudge right and these peppermint ganaches are in the first test batch stage. I’m wondering if this was a big mistake.”

Jamie stood. “It is not a mistake. I can help. What’s something easy? Peppermint bark? We used to make that all the time.”

Cami shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you want to get things done.”

Jamie glared at her, throwing her hands on her hips. “I have nothing else to do. I’d love to make some candy. Plus, I have a little favor. We could make a little trade.”

Cami flipped through the recipe box looking for the peppermint bark card. She glanced up. “What kind of favor?”

“I’d like to place your first order. A big one.” She grinned. Jamie always had the prettiest smile. It helped that her daddy was the only dentist in town.

“But I’m not ready for that,” Cami protested. “I’m definitely in the test stage.” There was a burned pan in the sink to prove it.

“Come on, it’s not such a big order you can’t handle it. But tomorrow is the mistletoe shoot and it would be the perfect time to let people know the shop is open. I have a booth rented and I need cookies.”

“A booth? And you need cookies? What’s that all about?”

“Or fudge. You choose. It can be simple, as long as it’s sweet. And I’ll help.” Jamie rolled out long sheets of waxed paper, and smoothed the ends that started to furl. There was something familiar and comforting with how the pair worked in the kitchen together. The radio was now playing an Elvis Christmas medley. They refilled their hot cocoa.

“I have my own little monogram business now. Jamie’s Creations. I can monogram anything. Anything. You name it and I will stick some initials on it,” she proclaimed proudly. “I’m so busy this time of year, but I take a ton of orders at the mistletoe shoot. Everyone’s in one place, you know?”

“You need it by tomorrow?” Cami asked. She tried to visualize how she could perfect a recipe and fill an order in less than twenty-four hours.

“Yes, tomorrow. Does that mean you’ll do it?” Her friend’s eyes lit expectantly. “Please say that’s a yes. It would mean a lot to me, and it would be the perfect touch for the mistletoe shoot.”

Cami sighed. She knew arguing would be pointless. She could use the business and the publicity. “I’ll do it. But something very simple. Low key. I don’t want the first order to be a disaster,” she warned, although she had a feeling Jamie wasn’t going to listen no matter what she said.

“It’s not going to be a disaster. When have you ever done anything that wasn’t beautiful and perfect?” Jamie walked to the back door and looped an apron over her head and tied it behind her back. She gathered her hair in a ponytail and attached it in a make-shift bun. “Ok. Tell me what to do to get started.”