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didn’t.”
    Lexi looked at her friend. “I did.”
    Hope’s eyes rounded with horror, but her lips quivered like they were the only things holding back the biggest belly laugh. “On purpose or by accident?”
    “Accident.”
    Hope shook her head.
    “But if I’d still had it later, I probably would have done it on purpose.”
    “That good, huh?”
    Lexi grimaced. Giving up on the distraction, she sank into the chair Hope had vacated. The scent of chocolate got stronger.
    “He came here and I sold him a cake. I had no idea who he was. He said he didn’t know I was the mayor’s daughter, but I’m not sure I believe him.”
    Hope plopped down beside her. “Why?”
    Lexi sent her a pointed glance. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I don’t have the best track record when it comes to men who walk into my store. The last one used me for information. The likelihood is this one’s doing the same thing.”
    Several months ago a reporter for the Atlanta Courier had targeted her. Brandon had lied, telling her he was a nurse from Charleston, all the while flirting and seducing, subtly pumping her for information about Gage and his experiences in Afghanistan. He’d wanted the scoop on a story Gage had refused to give to anyone—including Hope, the woman he’d loved for years. Luckily, Lexi didn’t know any details, but that didn’t stop the guilt and self-recrimination.
    She should have known Brandon had ulterior motives. Why else would a beautiful and charming guy have been interested in her?
    Hope’s sharp blue eyes met hers. A single eyebrow rose in a silent question.
    “What?”
    “Comparing him to Brandon implies that he tried to seduce you. I smell more to this story than you’ve told me. Spill it.”
    Fudge. Lexi wrinkled her nose. She should have known Hope would pick up on the one thing she’d meant to keep to herself.
    She calculated her chances of getting Hope off the trail and decided they were nil. With a sigh of resignation, she said, “We flirted. Before I knew who he was. But it didn’t mean anything and I have no intention of doing it again. I don’t trust him.”
    “You don’t trust anyone.”
    “True.”
    Lexi eyed the open container of brownies. She really wanted one, but realized the urge had nothing to do with her sweet tooth. Although the nervous pit in her belly would probably feel so much better with a little chocolate.
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Hope reached into the container and held one out to her. “Be bad for once, Lexi.”
    “No.”
    Hope rolled her eyes.
    “That brownie is a slippery slope. If I break the rules now I’ll break ’em again in an hour. And tomorrow. And next week. And before you know it I’ll be Piglet Harper all over again.”
    Hope frowned, but tightened the lid on the brownies anyway. Lexi appreciated her friend’s support, even if Hope didn’t completely understand. Lexi had worked hard to shed the pounds and the mental weight of being disappointed in her own body. She wasn’t about to backslide now because she couldn’t say no to a brownie she didn’t really need and only wanted because she was embarrassed and upset and on edge.
    “So, since you’ve seen him...”
    Lexi ignored the pointed emphasis her friend put on the word seen.
    “What do you think he’s going to do?”
    “I’m not entirely sure.”
    Despite what she’d said about his designs, Brett Newcomb was anything but stupid. She couldn’t imagine that he would come all the way to Sweetheart without a plan. And a pretty good one.
    She remembered the way he’d watched her with those ice-blue eyes, and a shiver snaked down her spine.
    “I’ve seen that expression on your face before.” Hope watched her with appraising eyes. “You’re attracted to him.”
    “I’m not,” Lexi protested, a little too quickly.
    Hope’s pointed stare weighed on her. It was all her friend needed to call her a liar. It made her want to squirm. And she finally caved.
    “All right. So