Sage's Point Of View
Part of me was wary. The look in her eyes earlier hadn't exactly been friendly. But a larger part of me was intrigued, and if I was being honest, hopeful.
Maybe this was our chance to clear the air, to find a way forward.
I glanced at my watch. 11:15 PM. If I left now, I'd make it to Miller's Pond just before midnight.
Before I could second-guess myself, I was back in my car, driving through the quiet streets of Maple Grove. The rational part of my brain screamed that this was a bad idea.
I was supposed to be focusing on Sugar Rush, on my grand plans for expansion. Meeting my ex-girlfriend in the middle of the night to discuss "business" was definitely not part of that plan.
But as I parked at the edge of the woods and began the familiar hike to the pond, I realized I didn't care. For the first time since I'd returned to Maple Grove, something felt right.
The full moon cast an ethereal glow over the water as I approached our old spot. And there, silhouetted against the silvery light, was Alyssa. She turned as she heard me approach, her expression unreadable in the shadows.
"You came," she said softly.
I nodded, suddenly nervous. "Your note said it was important."
Alyssa took a deep breath, then stepped closer. In the moonlight, I could see the conflict in her eyes. "Sage, I've been thinking a lot about us... about our bakeries."
My heart raced. Was she about to suggest a partnership? A merger of Sweet Dreams and Sugar Rush? The idea sent a thrill through me. Working side by side with Alyssa again, combining our talents...
"I think I've found a solution," Alyssa continued. "A way for both of us to get what we want."
"Alyssa, that's great!" I said, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how we could make this work. If we pooled our resources—"
"No, Sage," she interrupted, her voice firm. "That's not what I mean."
My enthusiasm deflated. "Then what...?"
Alyssa squared her shoulders, lifting her chin. In that moment, I saw a strength in her that hadn't been there four years ago. "I want to buy you out."
I blinked, sure I had misheard. "What?"
"Your lease, your equipment, everything," she clarified. "I'll make you a fair offer. More than fair, actually. You can take the money, go back to Paris or New York or wherever you want. Open a Sugar Rush there. But not here. Not in Maple Grove."
I stared at her, shock rendering me momentarily speechless. Of all the scenarios I'd imagined for this meeting, this hadn't even been on the list.
"Alyssa," I started, once I found my voice. "I can't just... I mean, Sugar Rush is my dream. My future."
Her eyes flashed. "And Sweet Dreams is mine. The future I built for myself after you left."
The accusation in her voice stung, but I pressed on. "I get that. But surely there's a way we can coexist? Maybe even work together?"
Alyssa shook her head. "No, Sage. There isn't. This town isn't big enough for both of us. Not professionally, and not..." she trailed off, but I heard the unspoken words. Not personally.
"So that's it?" I asked, anger and hurt bubbling up inside me. "An ultimatum? Leave town or...what?"
For a moment, Alyssa's tough exterior cracked, and I saw a glimpse of the girl I'd fallen in love with all those years ago.
"Or stay and fight," she said quietly. "But know that if you do, I'll do everything in my power to make sure Sweet Dreams comes out on top. Even if it means crushing Sugar Rush."
The intensity in her voice sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn't just about business. This was personal.
"I don't want to be your enemy, Alyssa," I said softly.
She met my gaze, her green eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Then don't be. Take the deal, Sage. Please."
For a long moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of her offer hanging between us. I thought about Sugar Rush, about all the plans I had.
But I also thought about Alyssa, about the pain I saw in her eyes. Pain I had caused.
Finally, I opened my mouth to respond. The words that came out surprised even me.
"No," I said, my voice firmer than I expected. "I'm not selling Sugar Rush, and I'm not leaving Maple Grove."
Alyssa's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard by my response. "Sage, I don't think you understand—"
"I understand perfectly," I interrupted, a sudden clarity washing over me. "You want me gone because it's easier than facing the past. But running away isn't the answer, Alyssa. I should know. I've done enough of it."
I took a step closer to her, close enough to see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. "I came back to Maple Grove for a reason. It's not just about Sugar Rush. It's about roots, about finding where I belong. And like it or not, this town is as much my home as it is yours."
Alyssa shook her head, a mix of emotions playing across her face. "You can't just waltz back in here and act like nothing's changed. You left, Sage. You chose your career over us."
"You're right," I admitted, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "I made a mistake. A huge one. But I'm not that same guy anymore, Alyssa. I've grown, I've learned, and I'm here to stay."
I saw a flicker of something in her eyes – uncertainty? hope? – before she masked it with determination.
"Fine," she said, her voice cool. "If that's your decision, then I guess we're competitors now."
"It doesn't have to be that way," I countered. "We could—"
"No," Alyssa cut me off. "You made your choice, Sage. Now we both have to live with it."
She turned to leave, but I caught her arm gently. "Alyssa, wait. There's something else you should know."
She paused, looking back at me warily. "What?"
I took a deep breath, knowing my next words could change everything. "The reason I came back... it wasn't just about opening Sugar Rush. It was about making things right. With the town, with my family... and with you."
Alyssa's breath caught, and for a moment, I saw her tough exterior crumble. But just as quickly, she rebuilt her walls. "It's too late for that, Sage. We can't go back."
"I'm not asking to go back," I said softly. "I'm asking for a chance to move forward. As neighbors, as fellow business owners, and maybe... someday... as friends."
For a long moment, Alyssa just stared at me, conflict clear in her eyes. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't make any promises, Sage. But I guess... we'll see what happens."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone by the pond. As I watched her disappear into the shadows, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me – regret for the past, anxiety about the future, but also a glimmer of hope.
I hadn't sold Sugar Rush, and I hadn't left town. Instead, I'd chosen to stay and face the challenges ahead. It wouldn't be easy, competing with Alyssa professionally while trying to mend fences personally.
But as I stood there under the moonlight, I knew one thing for certain:
Coming back to Maple Grove was the right decision. And whatever happened next, I was ready to face it head-on.
As I made my way back to my car, my phone buzzed with a text. It was from Zoe:
"Health inspector confirmed for 8 AM tomorrow. Hope you're ready to make history!"
I stared at the message, the reality of what lay ahead sinking in. In just a few hours, the real test would begin. Sugar Rush versus Sweet Dreams. Sage versus Alyssa.
May the best baker win.