Sage's Point Of View
The bell above Sugar Rush's door chimed as I pushed it open, the familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon washing over me. But even the comforting aroma of my own bakery couldn't soothe the ache in my chest.
Alyssa's words echoed in my mind, a painful reminder of the damage I'd done.
"You hurt me, Sage. You hurt me in a way I didn't think was possible."
I ran a hand through my hair, knowing I probably looked as disheveled as I felt. The kitchen was quiet, the afternoon lull in full swing.
Marco looked up from where he was kneading dough, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows rising at the sight of me.
"You look like you've been through the wringer, boss," he said, his booming voice tinged with concern. "That meeting with Sweet Dreams didn't go so well, huh?"
I shook my head, slumping onto a nearby stool. "Not exactly, no."
Marco nodded sagely, his strong hands never pausing in their rhythmic kneading. "Love's a tricky business, especially when it's mixed up with work. But don't you worry, things have a way of working themselves out."
I looked at him, surprised. "How did you know it was about... that?"
Marco chuckled, the sound warm and rich like freshly baked bread. "Son, I've been around long enough to know that look. That's the look of a man who's realized he's made a mistake and is trying to figure out how to fix it."
I couldn't help but smile. Marco had become something of a father figure to me since I'd opened Sugar Rush. His calm demeanor and wealth of both baking and life experience had been invaluable.
"You're not wrong," I admitted. "I just... I don't know if I can fix this, Marco. I really messed up."
Marco set aside his dough and wiped his hands on his apron, fixing me with a serious look. "Now you listen here, Sage. There is nothing in this world that can't be fixed with enough time, patience, and a whole lot of love. You just got to be willing to put in the work."
I nodded, his words settling into my chest like a warm cup of cocoa. "Thanks, Marco. I needed to hear that."
He clapped me on the shoulder, nearly knocking me off the stool with his strength. "Anytime, son. Now, why don't you go get changed? Nothing clears the head like some good old-fashioned baking."
Taking his advice, I headed to the small office in the back to change into my chef's whites. As I buttoned up my jacket, my eyes fell on a framed photo on my desk.
It was from the grand opening of Sugar Rush, me standing proudly in front of the store with Zoe and Ash on either side of me.
I picked up the frame, studying the smiles on our faces. We'd been so excited that day, so full of hope for the future. But now, looking at it, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. Or rather, someone.
A knock at the door interrupted my musings. "Sage? You in there?" Zoe's voice called out.
"Come in," I replied, setting the photo back down.
Zoe entered, looking as put-together as always in her crisp blazer and pencil skirt. But there was a softness in her green eyes as she took in my appearance.
"Oh, Sage," she said, her voice gentle. "It didn't go well, did it?"
I shook my head, sinking into my desk chair. "She needs time, Zoe. And honestly, I can't blame her."
Zoe perched on the edge of my desk, her usually professional demeanor softening. "Want to talk about it?"
I sighed, running a hand over my face. "I just... I knew it would be hard, coming back here. Facing Alyssa. But I didn't realize how much it would hurt to see the pain in her eyes. Pain that I caused."
Zoe was quiet for a moment, her manicured fingers tapping a thoughtful rhythm on the desk. "You know," she said finally, "when you first told me about your history with Alyssa, I thought you were crazy for wanting to open Sugar Rush here. But now... now I think I understand."
I looked up at her, curious. "What do you mean?"
A small smile played at the corners of her lips. "I mean, I've never seen you fight so hard for anything, Sage. Not even when we were trying to get Sugar Rush off the ground in the city. This place, this town... it means something to you. She means something to you."
I nodded, unable to deny it. "She always has. Even when I was too stupid to realize it."
Zoe stood, smoothing out her skirt. "Well then, I guess we'll just have to find a way to make this collaboration work. For the sake of both our businesses... and your heart."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her determined expression. "Thanks, Zoe. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She winked, her professional mask sliding back into place. "Probably burn the place down within a week. Now come on, we've got a bakery to run."
As I followed Zoe out into the main area of Sugar Rush, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Alyssa might need time, but that didn't mean I couldn't keep trying to show her I'd changed. And what better way to do that than through baking?
The afternoon rush was just beginning, the bakery filling with the after-school crowd. I spotted a familiar face among them – Mrs. Holloway.
She always preferred I called her that and not grandma.
"Sage, dear!" she called out, waving me over to her table. "Come sit with me for a moment, won't you?"
I made my way over, unable to resist the warmth in her voice. Mrs. Holloway was a tiny woman with a cloud of white hair and twinkling blue eyes that missed nothing.
She patted the seat next to her, and I sat down, feeling like a schoolboy about to be scolded.
"Now then," she said, fixing me with a knowing look. "I hear you've been stirring up trouble with our Alyssa."
I winced, wondering how news traveled so fast in this town. "It's not... I'm not trying to cause trouble, Mrs. Holloway. I just want to make things right."
She nodded, her eyes softening. "I know, dear. But you have to understand, Alyssa's been through a lot. That girl is as strong as they come, but she's got walls up higher than the old water tower."
I sighed, nodding. "I know. I'm the one who made her build those walls."
Mrs. Holloway reached out, patting my hand gently. "Yes, you did. But you know what they say about walls, don't you?"
I shook my head, curious.
She smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "They can be climbed, if you're patient enough. Or knocked down, if you've got the right tools."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her metaphor. "And what tools would you suggest, Mrs. Holloway?"
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, honesty for one. And persistence. But most importantly, love. Real, honest-to-goodness love. The kind that makes you want to be a better person."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Because that's exactly what Alyssa did – she made me want to be better. To be worthy of her trust, her friendship, and maybe, someday, her love again.
"Thank you, Mrs. Holloway," I said softly. "You've given me a lot to think about."
She patted my cheek affectionately. "That's what I'm here for, dear. Now, how about a slice of that delicious apple pie I see in the display case?"
As I stood to get Mrs. Holloway her pie,the bell above the door chimed again. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as I saw who had entered.