“Oh my God, these are so good,” Cassie said, her mouth full of her own piece.

“You have a chocolate factory minutes away—how are you not a thousand pounds?” Erika asked, sipping her wine.

The combination of wine and chocolate in her mouth was sinful.

“Staying active helps—all the skiing and hiking definitely counteract the calories...and I’ve placed myself on their do not allow list.”

“Like for addicts?”

She nodded. “For chocolate addicts. You’d be surprised how many of us locals have had to add ourselves to it. I swear they lace this stuff with cocaine. It’s crazy addictive.”

Erika didn’t doubt it for a second. She may be adding herself to that list before the week was up. But until then... She reached for another piece. “I’d forgotten how different small-town life is,” she said, curling her legs under her on her friend’s couch.

Immediately, Diva jumped onto the cushion beside her and sat staring at her mouth, a thin line of drool escaping her muzzle. “Forget it. Even if dogs could eat chocolate, we’re not good enough friends yet for me to share,” she said, but softened the words by tentatively petting the dog’s head.

Diva shot her an arguably adorable look that said “Give me time, I’ll wear you down with my cuteness” and lay beside her, resting her chin on her front paws, butt stuck up in the air, tail wagging back and forth, contented.

“Don’t be fooled. She’s not giving up that easy,” Cassie said.

Just to be safe, Erika moved the plate farther out of the dog’s reach. “So, when did you open Snow Trek Tours?” The opening day pictures Cassie had posted on Facebook could have been a week ago or six years. Life seemed to blur past.

“Four years ago...after Mom sold the pub. She paid off the house, took a job from the new owner and then split the rest of the money between Reed and me.”

Erika hoped her friend didn’t notice her cheeks flush at the mention of her brother. He hadn’t been far from her thoughts all day as she’d wandered through the shops on Main Street. His words about kissing her again had played over and over in her mind. It’s not that the idea wasn’t tempting, but he was Cassie’s brother. The odd connection and irresistible pull she felt to him were an issue. She hadn’t experienced real feelings for a man in a long time. She’d be reluctant to claim she’d ever truly been in love, so she had no idea how to label these emotions that were popping up out of nowhere whenever she was around Reed, but they weren’t harmless—that much she knew for certain. Therefore, when she’d seen him leaving The Drunk Tank around noon, she’d hightailed it in the other direction.

“So, you just decided to open your own business?” That took courage.

Cassie nodded. “I was working for an adventure tour company in Girdwood and I decided why not start my own?” she continued.