Sage's Point Of View
Four Years of Unspoken Words
For a moment, we just stared at each other. Up close, I could see the faint dusting of freckles across her nose, the flecks of gold in her green eyes. She looked tired, I realized.
There were shadows under her eyes that hadn't been there four years ago.
"Sage," she said finally, her voice carefully neutral. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
I swallowed hard. "Alyssa, I—"
But before I could get another word out, the back door of Sweet Dreams burst open. A whirlwind of teal hair and paint-splattered overalls stormed in, and I found myself face-to-face with a furious Raine Mitchell.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here, Holloway," she spat, placing herself squarely between me and Alyssa. "What, ruining her life once wasn't enough for you?"
I held up my hands, taking a step back. "Raine, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to talk—"
"Talk?" Raine scoffed. "Oh, now you want to talk? Where was this desire for communication four years ago when you walked out on her?"
"Raine," Alyssa's quiet voice cut through the tension. "It's okay. I can handle this."
Raine turned to her, concern written on her face. "Are you sure? Because I'm more than happy to escort him out. Forcefully, if necessary."
Despite everything, I had to suppress a smile. It was good to see that some things hadn't changed – Raine was still as fiercely protective of Alyssa as ever.
Alyssa nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "I'm sure. Can you give us a minute?"
Raine hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But I'll be right in the back if you need me." She shot me one last glare before disappearing into the kitchen.
And then it was just me and Alyssa, four years of unspoken words hanging heavy between us.
"So," Alyssa said, crossing her arms. "You're back."
I nodded, suddenly feeling like a tongue-tied teenager again. "Yeah, I... I'm opening a bakery. Next door."
Something flashed in Alyssa's eyes – hurt? Anger? – before her expression smoothed into careful neutrality. "So I've heard. Sugar Rush, right? Quite the operation you've got going."
"Alyssa, I swear I didn't know this was your bakery when I signed the lease," I said quickly. "If I had known—"
"What?" she interrupted, her voice sharp. "You would have what, Sage? Chosen a different location? Decided not to come back to Maple Grove at all?"
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. The truth was, I didn't know what I would have done. "I... I don't know," I admitted finally. "But I would have talked to you first, at least."
Alyssa laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Well, isn't that thoughtful of you. Four years of silence, and now you want to talk."
Her words stung, but I knew I deserved them. "I'm sorry," I said softly. "For everything. For how I left, for not staying in touch. And for... this." I gestured vaguely, encompassing the whole situation.
For a moment, Alyssa's carefully constructed mask slipped, and I saw a glimpse of the pain underneath. It made my heart ache.
But then the mask was back in place, her green eyes cool and distant.
"What's done is done," she said flatly. "We're neighbors now, and competitors. I suppose we'll have to find a way to coexist."
I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Maybe... maybe we could even help each other out sometimes? You know, if one of us runs out of flour or something."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "I think I can manage my own inventory, thanks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do."
It was a clear dismissal, but I found myself reluctant to leave. There was so much more I wanted to say, so many questions I wanted to ask.
How had she been these past four years? Was she happy? Did she ever think about me, about us?
But looking at her now, her posture rigid and her eyes guarded, I knew this wasn't the time. Maybe it would never be the time.
"Right," I said, backing towards the door. "I'll... see you around, I guess."
Alyssa nodded curtly. "Goodbye, Sage."
As I stepped out into the cool evening air, I felt like I could breathe again. But the relief was short-lived. Because as I walked back to my car, a realization hit me with the force of a freight train.
Seeing Alyssa again, being in her presence, smelling the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon that clung to her skin – it had awakened something in me. A longing I thought I'd buried years ago.
I still had feelings for Alyssa Bennett.
And now, I was about to become her biggest rival.
As I drove home, my mind raced. How was I supposed to compete with Alyssa when a part of me still wanted nothing more than to see her succeed?
How could I focus on making Sugar Rush a success when my heart seemed determined to sabotage me at every turn?
I pulled into my driveway, my grandmother's old Victorian looming before me. As I climbed out of the car, my phone buzzed with a text from Ash.
"How'd it go with Alyssa? You patch things up?"
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. How could I possibly explain the turmoil I was feeling? The conflict between my ambition and my heart?
Before I could reply, another text came through. This one from Zoe.
"Great news! The health inspector can come first thing tomorrow morning. If we pass, we're all set for a soft opening this weekend. You ready to show Maple Grove what real pastry looks like?"
My stomach churned. A soft opening this weekend? That was much sooner than I'd anticipated. I wasn't ready. Not for the opening, and certainly not for what it would mean for my relationship – or lack thereof – with Alyssa.
As I stood there in the growing darkness, caught between Ash's question and Zoe's excitement, I realized I was at a crossroads.
Every choice from this point on would shape not just my future, but Alyssa's too. The weight of that responsibility settled heavy on my shoulders.
With a deep sigh, I pocketed my phone without responding to either message. Those were problems for tomorrow's Sage. Right now, I needed a clear head and a stiff drink.
I trudged up the porch steps, the old wood creaking beneath my feet. As I fumbled for my keys, a flicker of movement caught my eye. There, wedged in the crack of the door frame, was a small envelope.
Curious, I plucked it out. My name was scrawled across the front in familiar handwriting that made my heart skip a beat. Alyssa's handwriting.
With trembling fingers, I tore open the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of paper, the scent of vanilla clinging to it. I unfolded it, my eyes racing over the words.
"Sage,
I know we didn't get off to the best start earlier. The truth is, seeing you again brought up a lot of feelings I thought I'd dealt with long ago.
But regardless of our past, we're both business owners now. And as much as it pains me to admit it, this town might not be big enough for both of our bakeries.
So I have a proposition for you. Meet me at midnight at our old spot by Miller's Pond. Come alone. We need to talk about the future of our businesses.
- Alyssa"
I read the note three times, my mind whirling. Our old spot by Miller's Pond. The place where we'd shared our first kiss, where we'd dreamed about our future together.
What could Alyssa possibly want to discuss there?