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She lifts the lid to reveal what looks like a normal chocolate cake, but with extra chocolate chips on top. “It’s more sugar than veggies, but I figured I should use up one of the items I bought at the store last week when healthy me went grocery shopping.”

Her grin causes me to laugh and a burst of joy shoots through me. I’ve never thought of laughter as being an important part of a relationship, but Dani makes it seem like a necessity.

“Healthy you?” I say, pulling away from the curb and following to the right where she’s pointing. “Are you saying you have multiple personalities?”

Dani shakes her head. “No, not that I know of at least.” She gives me a mischievous smile before continuing. “I was determined to eat better last week and so I bought a whole bunch of fruits and vegetables, avoiding the Oreo aisle altogether. It’s been a rough week.”

“That cake looks almost like an Oreo.”

“Close enough. The cooked brown sugar on top is the best part of the whole thing.”

She points toward one of the back roads instead of having me go up to a main road, like I’d planned.

“I guess we haven’t ventured into the cooking skill conversation yet, have we?” I say, picking up speed to pass a car going ten under the speed limit.

She coughs and I turn to see if she’s okay. “We kind of talked about it at dinner with Oliver. I’m like mediocre baker level. I might even qualify for that one show where all the cooks are awful.”

“I’m about the same. I know a few recipes my grandma taught me back when she would watch me after school, but that’s about it.”

“Is she still alive?” Dani asks, giving me that expression that’s so full of curiosity a guy could get hooked on trying to pique her interest all the time. “Your grandma, I mean?”

I shake my head. “She passed away about a year before my dad. That was a rough time. All the transitions and my mom used her grief as a force to become a workaholic.”

The corner of Dani’s mouth turns up a bit and she says, “And you’ve avoided doing that?”

As I mull over her question, I think back to the weeks before we started fake dating. I would usually work until at least seven every night, if not later, and now I’m barely dragging myself to the five o’clock hour.

“I don’t think I could do that forever. There’s so much to do in the world and chained to my desk isn’t all that appealing.”

“Are you ready for the mixer next Saturday? Maybe you’ll make some contacts with people who could use your expertise. And it could be another outlet for you.”

I glare over at her, making sure she knows I’m teasing. “Are you trying to turn me into a workaholic?”

Dani laughs, the sound full of joy. “No. I’m mostly just hoping to keep my own job. Jack didn’t by chance go to Boston University with you, did he?”

The fact that she’s asking about Jack has a stab of jealousy running through me. She didn’t seem interested in him the night before. Then again, she’s allowed to date whoever she wants after this is over. I’m just hoping he’s not one of my best friends.

“Yeah, why?”

She sighs and leans her head back against the headrest. “Because my boss is driving me crazy about inviting more people to the event. Do you think he’d come?”

“I’m sure if you asked him, he’d consider it.”

The frown on her face says volumes. “Why would it make any difference if I ask?”

So, she might not be into one of my best friends. That’s encouraging. “Because I’ve already filled my current allowance of favors, and you have a clean slate.”

“Is he really that bad?” she asks.

I shake my head and say, “No, Jack has just been through a lot over the years. He’s one of those people who adds an extra level of sarcasm to everything.”

It doesn’t take much longer before we arrive.

“Here it is. Home, sweet home.”

“This is where you grew up?” I ask after opening her door.

She shakes her head and says, “No, we sold our other house a few months after my father passed away. With all the bills piling up, it worked out to buy a smaller home for my mom.”