Alyssa's Point Of View
A Little Touch of Kiss
The rest of the day passed in a blur of customers and baking. I steadfastly ignored the steady stream of people I saw entering Sugar Rush, focusing instead on chatting with my regulars and perfecting a new cheesecake recipe.
Before I knew it, closing time had arrived. As I wiped down the last table, Raine burst through the door, a whirlwind of teal hair and excited energy.
"Alright, lady," she announced, grabbing my arm. "Time to get you out of that flour-covered apron and into something hot. We've got some serious fun to have tonight!"
An hour later, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. Raine had worked her magic, coaxing my usually messy bun into soft waves and applying just enough makeup to make my green eyes pop.
She'd even convinced me to wear the little black dress that had been gathering dust in the back of my closet.
"Damn, girl," Raine whistled appreciatively. "If I swung that way, I'd be all over you."
I laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious but also... pretty. It had been a long time since I'd put effort into my appearance like this. "Thanks, Raine. For everything."
She waved off my gratitude. "Please. This is as much for me as it is for you. Watching you and Sage dance around each other is exhausting. You need to get out there and remember there are other fish in the sea!"
I rolled my eyes, but didn't argue. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to move on, for real this time.
The Rusty Nail was packed when we arrived, the air thick with the smell of beer and the sound of laughter.
Mia waved us over to a table near the small stage, where a petite woman with a shock of bright blue hair was setting up a microphone.
"That's Jade," Mia explained, gesturing to the blue-haired woman. "She runs these open mic nights. You should hear her sing – she's amazing!"
As if on cue, Jade stepped up to the mic. "Good evening, Maple Grove!" her voice rang out, warm and rich. "Welcome to Open Mic Night at The Rusty Nail. We've got a great lineup for you tonight, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!"
The next hour passed in a pleasant haze of music, laughter, and perhaps one too many cosmos. I found myself relaxing for the first time in days, caught up in the joyful atmosphere.
"Alyssa?" Mia's voice broke through my reverie. "You should go up there! Sing something!"
I shook my head, laughing. "Oh no, I don't sing. Not in public, anyway."
But Raine's eyes had lit up. "Oh my god, yes! Do it, Alyssa! Remember how we used to sing karaoke in college?"
Before I could protest further, Raine was dragging me towards the stage. Jade grinned as we approached. "We've got a volunteer, folks! What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Alyssa," I managed, my heart racing. What was I doing?
"Alright, Alyssa! What'll you be singing for us tonight?"
My mind went blank. Then, almost without thinking, I heard myself say, "Wide Awake by Katy Perry."
As the opening notes filled the bar, I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me. And then, I began to sing.
"I'm wide awake, I'm wide awake..."
To my surprise, the words flowed easily. As I hit the chorus, I opened my eyes, scanning the crowd. And that's when I saw him.
Sage stood near the back of the bar, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch. Our gazes locked as I sang the bridge:
"I wish I knew then what I know now, wouldn't dive in, wouldn't bow down..."
As the song came to an end, the bar erupted in applause. I barely heard it, my focus entirely on Sage. He started to move towards me, but I quickly turned away, hurrying back to our table.
"That was amazing!" Mia squealed, pulling me into a hug. "I had no idea you could sing like that!"
I managed a weak smile, my mind reeling. What was Sage doing here? Had he followed me?
"I need some air," I mumbled, grabbing my purse and heading for the door. I burst out into the cool night air, gulping it down like I was drowning.
"Alyssa, wait!"
I closed my eyes, willing the voice away. But when I opened them, Sage was there, standing just a few feet away.
"What are you doing here, Sage?" I asked, hating how breathless I sounded.
He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture so familiar it made my heart ache. "I... I don't know. I was driving by and saw you go in. I just... I couldn't stay away."
"You can't keep doing this," I said, my voice cracking. "You can't keep showing up and turning my world upside down. It's not fair."
Sage took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "I know. I'm sorry. But Alyssa, that song... the way you looked up there... God, I've missed you so much."
And then, before I could react, he was kissing me. His lips were soft and insistent against mine, tasting of whiskey and memories.
For a moment, just a moment, I let myself melt into it, remembering all the reasons I'd fallen in love with him in the first place.
But then reality came crashing back. I pushed him away, my hand connecting with his chest with more force than I'd intended.
"No," I said, my voice shaking. "You don't get to do that. You don't get to waltz back into town, try to ruin my business, and then kiss me like nothing's changed. It doesn't work that way, Sage."
He looked stricken. "Alyssa, I—"
But I was already backing away, shaking my head. "Just... stay away from me, Sage. Please."
I turned and ran, ignoring his calls behind me. I ran until my lungs burned and my feet ached in their impractical heels. When I finally stopped, I realized I was standing in front of Sweet Dreams.
My safe haven. My dream. The life I'd built for myself after Sage left.
As I stared at the darkened windows of my bakery, a realization hit me with the force of a freight train. No matter how much I tried to deny it, no matter how angry I was...
I was still in love with Sage Holloway.
And that terrified me more than any business competition ever could.