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descended on him, including the one who had rejected Zach. In one of the ironies of life, that girl was now his sister-in-law and someone he considered a friend.
    Yeah, Dave had it all.
    But Zach was grateful. His younger brother’s success had spurred Zach to put down the book and pop can and work out. A few months later, he joined the wrestling team and went on his first date. He’d stopped eating sweets, except for one.
    Chocolate.
    He walked to the next available machine and added the weights he needed. Maybe it was time to go back to see Sue Anne, even if she was not like anyone he’d ever dated. Hell, the way her mind worked was quirky. Lima beans? Who would have a discussion with a stranger about lima beans? Then there was the lipstick thing.
    Strange lady.
    But she was someone who really knew how to make chocolate. A rumble in his stomach reminded him of how good the huckleberry fudge was.
    She might be fun for a casual date ... and maybe something a little more. An ache in his groin reminded him how long it had been and how good the girl kissed.
    Long term, though, he wanted a girl like Erin—a stay-at-home mom, like his own had been. With someone who owned a chocolate shop around, he’d be back to chubby kid in no time—not a point in his favor as a firefighter and EMT.
    Plus, he wasn’t staying here. It was a beautiful place, but the pay wasn’t enough to support two people, and there weren’t many chances for advancement. He wanted a place that had opportunities, like LA or Dallas.
    In the meantime, he’d enjoy the fudge and bizarre conversation—in moderation.
    As if conjured from his imagination, he spotted a trim woman with dark curls on the far side of the gym. All the curves he’d been unable to see below winter coats and full-length aprons were revealed in clingy pink workout clothes.
    Sue Anne was a woman in shape.
    The ache grew a little stronger, and he deserted his machine to walk to the one next to hers as she worked out her quads. Bracing herself, she exhaled and flexed, her legs straining as she pushed back the weights she’d loaded.
    He gave a low whistle. There was a good fifteen pounds on each side.
    She saw him then and grinned. Keeping her eyes on him, she did five more reps without the smile ever leaving her face.
    He didn’t move.
    “See something you like?” she asked after she locked the machine in place and stepped out.
    “Uh.” Crap. What was he supposed to say? He’d stood there like a pervert, watching her work. “Um. You have good form.” It sounded like he was asking a question. “Yeah. That’s it,” he added with more confidence. “I was admiring your form.”
    “I’ll bet.” She laughed and looked him up and down. “Yours isn’t bad either.”
    “I’ve never seen you here before.”
    “I just joined. I need something to work off the sugar I’m constantly eating to test the flavors.” She tapped his arm with her fist. “Speaking of testers, how come my number one taster hasn’t been around? We’ve been making truffles. You’re missing out.”
    Once again, words left him. “You’re not my type” didn’t seem politically correct. Neither did “You’re really weird.”
    “It’s okay.” The smile left her face. “I’m sure we can find some other help. In fact...” She snapped her fingers. “There’s a younger guy aching for the job. I’ll ask him.”
    “I’ll be there later.” The hint of jealousy that rose up irritated him. He shouldn’t be attracted to this woman, a woman who lost cars and had strange discussions about lima beans. It didn’t matter who she saw.
    “Are you finished with your workout?” she asked.
    He was now.
    “Yeah. How about you?”
    “I was going to do one more machine, but...” She looked at him inquisitively.
    What did she want? This woman was going to make him crazy with the way her mind worked.
    The sound of a blender gave him a clue.
    “Want to get something at the juice bar?” he asked. A few more