Alyssa's Point Of View
I stood behind the counter, methodically wiping down surfaces that were already spotless. My mind, however, was far from the task at hand.
How dare he waltz back into town, into my life, as if the past four years hadn't happened? As if he hadn't shattered my heart and left me to pick up the pieces?
"Earth to Alyssa!" Luna's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts.
I blinked, focusing on my blue-haired manager. Luna was leaning against the counter, her vibrant sleeve tattoos different from the bakery's pastel walls. Her silver eyebrow piercing caught the light as she raised an eyebrow at me.
"You've been cleaning that same spot for five minutes straight. I think it's officially germ-free."
I sighed, tossing the cloth into the sink. "Sorry, Luna. I guess I'm a little distracted."
Luna's lips quirked into a knowing smirk. "A little? Boss, you've been in a daze ever since tall, dark, and sugar-coated left earlier. Spill."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Luna had only been working at Sweet Dreams for a few months, but she'd quickly become more than just an employee.
Her quick wit and no-nonsense attitude had been exactly what I needed to shake things up around here.
"It's... complicated," I said, running a hand through my copper curls. "Sage and I... we have history."
Luna hopped up onto the counter, ignoring my half-hearted protests. "Oh, I gathered that much from the nuclear-level tension in that room earlier. Come on, give me the juicy details. What'd he do? Cheat on you? Run over your dog? Insult your baking?"
I couldn't help but laugh at her rapid-fire guesses. "No, nothing like that. He just... left."
Luna's playful expression softened. "Ah. The classic disappearing act. That's rough."
I nodded, feeling the old hurt bubbling up again. "Four years ago. We had all these plans, you know? We were going to open a bakery together, travel the world learning new recipes. And then one day, he was just... gone. Left a note saying he had to 'find himself' or some crap like that."
Luna let out a low whistle. "Damn. And now he's back, wanting to play nice?"
"Worse," I groaned. "He wants to collaborate on some big baking event. Says it'll be good for both our businesses."
"And you agreed?" Luna's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
I shrugged, feeling a bit defensive. "It makes sense from a business standpoint. And it's just temporary. Once the event is over, things can go back to normal."
Luna fixed me with a skeptical look. "Uh-huh. And you really think you can keep things strictly professional with Mr. Heartbreaker?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, the bell above the door chimed. A whirlwind of teal hair and jangling bracelets burst into the bakery, bringing with it the scent of acrylic paint and excitement.
"Alyssa Bennett!" Raine's voice rang out, filling the small space with her larger-than-life presence. "Please tell me you're not still overthinking this collaboration thing!"
I couldn't help but smile at my best friend's dramatic entrance. Raine had always been a force of nature, from her wild teal hair to her paint-splattered overalls.
Today, she had a streak of neon pink paint across one cheekbone, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance.
"I'm not overthinking," I protested weakly, even as I felt a blush creeping up my neck. "I'm just... thinking."
Raine rolled her eyes, hopping up onto the counter next to Luna. The two of them had hit it off immediately when I'd introduced them, bonding over their shared love of vibrant hair colors and tendency to ignore my protests about sitting on clean counters.
"Honey," Raine said, reaching out to pat my hand, her fingers adorned with an assortment of colorful rings, "if thinking were an Olympic sport, you'd have more gold medals than Michael Phelps."
Luna snorted, her multiple ear piercings jingling as she shook with laughter. "She's got you there, boss."
I sighed, looking between my best friend and my manager. "I know, I know. It's just... it's Sage, you know? After everything that happened..."
Raine's expression softened, her usually mischievous green eyes filling with understanding. "I know, sweetie. But remember what we talked about? This could be good for you. For the bakery."
I nodded, remembering our conversation from a few days ago. Raine had been surprisingly supportive of the collaboration idea, arguing that it could be just what Sweet Dreams needed to boost business. And as much as I hated to admit it, she had a point.
"You're right," I conceded. "It's just... seeing him again, working with him... it's stirring up a lot of old feelings."
"Anger being chief among them, I hope," Luna chimed in, her tone fierce. "Because if you need someone to accidentally spill hot coffee on him, I'm your girl."
I couldn't help but laugh at Luna's protective instinct. "Thanks, Luna, but I think I can handle Sage without resorting to bodily harm."
"Your loss," Luna shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I make a mean 'accidental' coffee spill."
Just then, the bell above the door chimed again. This time, it was Mrs. Holloway who entered, her cloud of white hair slightly windblown. Her bright blue eyes twinkled as she took in the scene before her.
"Well now, what's all this?" she asked, her voice warm and slightly raspy. "Looks like a council of war in here."
I couldn't help but smile as I moved to greet her. Mrs. Holloway had been a constant presence in my life since I was a child, always ready with a warm hug and a batch of her famous snickerdoodles.
Even now, with her advancing years, she radiated an energy that belied her age.
"Not war, Mrs. H," I said, leaning in to accept her customary kiss on the cheek. "Just a little... strategic planning."
Mrs. Holloway's eyes twinkled knowingly. "Ah, I see. And would this planning have anything to do with my wayward grandson?"
I felt my cheeks heat up. Of course, Mrs. Holloway would have heard about the collaboration by now. In a town this size, news traveled faster than wildfire.
"We're collaborating on a baking event," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. "It's a business arrangement, nothing more."
Mrs. Holloway hummed thoughtfully, her gaze sharp despite her advanced years. "Is that so? Well, I always did say you two made quite the team in the kitchen."
I bristled slightly at her words, old hurt flaring up. "That was a long time ago, Mrs. Holloway. Things are different now."
She patted my hand gently, her expression softening. "Of course they are, dear. We all change with time. But some things... well, some things have a way of coming full circle."
Before I could respond, the bell chimed again. This time, it was a face I didn't recognize – a tall, lanky man with a shock of curly red hair and freckles scattered across his nose and cheeks like constellations.
"Um, hi," he said, his voice tentative. "Is this Sweet Dreams Bakery?"
Luna hopped off the counter, smoothing down her apron. "Sure is! What can we do for you?"