She had another dinner with her mother, and had Camille laughing out loud at the story of Diana and Madeline arguing over a pair of heavenly velvet five-inch Manolos, of which neither could even afford the ankle buckle.

It felt wonderful.

As for Joe, he stayed away, and she knew why. He didn’t want to be tempted.

Inspiration in that regard struck her midweek. She drove downtown to the Fire Department, and the MAST offices. “It’s not the lunch special,” she said wryly when she found him at his desk looking tired, frustrated, and sexy as hell with his hair all wild and his sleeves shoved up to his elbows. “But you’ll like it.”

He caught the jumbo bag of potato chips in midair. Turning it over in his hands like a prized Christmas gift, he finally tossed it back to her. “I had to give up chips. Even those half-assed baked ones that taste like sandpaper.”

As he’d once practically lived off chips, she was shocked. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Joe’s gaze never left the bag in her hand. She’d have sworn he started to drool as he patted his now flat belly. “And believe me, it was a huge sacrifice—Damn it, don’t even think about opening—”

She ripped open the bag and came around his desk, wafting the bag beneath his nose.

“You are evil,” he said, gaze still locked on the bag.

“Finally my secret is out.”

“Oh my God.” He grabbed her arm to hold the bag beneath his nose and inhaled deeply. “Those even smell fattening. Stop. I’m begging you.”

“Okay, you’re right,” she murmured, wanting to kiss him at the look of tortured misery on his face. “I’m being cruel.” But before she could move away, he tightened his grip.

Holding her gaze, he tugged slowly, inexorably, until she stood between his sprawled legs. “Give. Me. The. Bag.”

“I don’t want to bring you to the dark side.”

“Too late.”

“I won’t be responsible for—”

“I have a gun,” he said. “And I know how to use it.”

She laughed.

He dove into the bag and came out with a fistful. At his first bite, he leaned back, closed his eyes and let out a throaty moan. Then his eyes whipped open. “You’ll leave these with me.”

She dropped the bag in his lap. “All yours, big boy.”

Munching, he smiled. It was his first, and it was contagious. “Thanks. You give great lunch special.”

“You should try my bedtime special sometime.”

“Oh, no. That would be waaaay too fattening for sure.” Playfully, he tugged at her hair. An old gesture.

And an entirely new meaning.