“This looks delicious.” Christi cut into the cake, served up three generous wedges, and leaned close to inhale. “The chocolate aroma alone would make this a bestseller in any bakery.”

“Do you want me to carry those to the table?” Hannah was almost licking her lips.

“Yes. Thank you.”

She set the knife in the sink and joined the duo in the bay window. Hannah had already claimed the seat in the middle, facing outside, but Jack remained standing.

“Did I forget something?” She hesitated at her chair.

“No. I was waiting for you.”

It took a moment for his comment to register.

He didn’t intend to sit until she did.

Pressure built in her throat at the courtesy that had been long absent from her life.

Keeping her gaze down, she took her place across from him. “Thank you.”

“Can we start?” Hannah was poised to attack, fork in hand.

“By all means.” Christi picked up her own fork, broke off a tender bite, and slid it into her mouth. The thick frosting and fudgy cake did a tango on her tongue, dissolving into a delectable, intense, oh-so-satisfying burst of lingering chocolate flavor.

“Wow.” Hannah’s hushed conclusion said it all.

“I agree.” She closed her eyes, savoring the decadent richness. “Have I died and gone to heaven?”

“If you have, I’m right there with you. This is as amazing as I remember.” Jack broke off another large bite.

Silence fell as they devoted themselves to the scrumptious cake and splurged on smaller second helpings.

As they scraped their plates clean, Christi leaned back. “I’ll have to go on a diet for a week after this.”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t think that will be necessary. You were always thin, and you’ve lost weight over the years. Too much.”

While she tried to think of a response, Hannah’s gaze darted between them. “Did you guys know each other somewhere else? Like when you were kids or something?”

Christi passed the ball to Jack with a glance. Hannah was his daughter, and she’d follow his lead on whatever explanation he wanted to offer.

“I met Christi while I lived in St. Louis.” Jack wrapped his fingers around his mug. “But we lost touch until she moved here last month.”

“So you were friends once?”

“Yes. We were.”

Emphasis on the past tense.

Christi’s stomach bottomed out. Perhaps her hopes that she’d repaired some of the damage between them had been in vain.

“How come you didn’t stay friends?”

Jack swiped a chocolate crumb off the table with his index finger. “I moved away—and Christi got married.”

Hannah’s eyes rounded, and the girl turned to her. “You’re married?”

Thanks a lot, Jack.

“Not anymore. My husband died.”

“Oh, wow.” Hannah stared at her. “Like my mom.”

Not quite. As far as she knew, no one had mourned—or missed—the cheating liar who’d squandered her inheritance.