Sage's Point Of View
My heart thrummed with a mixture of anticipation and dread, as I made my way to the park.
Today, I would face Alyssa again, in the very place where we had once shared our dreams.
I ran a hand through my unruly dark hair, a nervous habit I'd never quite shaken. At thirty-two, I liked to think I'd grown into myself - no longer the impulsive boy who'd run away from the best thing in his life.
But as I approached our meeting spot, I felt every bit as anxious as I had been at eighteen.
The smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air, and I spotted the familiar cart where Alyssa and I used to get our morning fix. Old Tom was still there, his weathered face breaking into a grin as he recognized me.
"Well, I'll be," he chuckled, his voice gravelly from years of smoking. "If it isn't young Sage Holloway. Back from the big city, are we?"
I smiled, feeling a pang of nostalgia. "Hey, Old Tom. Good to see you're still keeping Maple Grove caffeinated."
"Someone's got to do it," he winked, already preparing my usual order - a strong black coffee with a hint of cinnamon. "I suppose you'll be wanting one for Miss Alyssa too?"
I hesitated, realizing I didn't know if her coffee preferences had changed. "I... I'm not sure what she drinks these days."
Old Tom's bushy eyebrows shot up, but he didn't comment. Instead, he busied himself with preparing a second cup - a vanilla latte with an extra shot, just how Alyssa used to like it.
As I waited, my mind wandered to the last time I'd seen her. It was four years ago, the night before I left for culinary school in New York.
We'd had a picnic in this very park, planning our future together. I told her I was going to Culinary school and Alyssa begged me not to go.
But I didn't listen. I left a crappy letter for her and just left without saying a word.
By the time I realized what I was losing, it was too late. Alyssa had stopped answering my calls, and I... I had been too much of a coward to come back and face her.
"Sage?"
Her voice cut through my thoughts like a knife, and I turned to find Alyssa standing a few feet away. My breath caught in my throat.
She was even more beautiful than I remembered, her honey-blonde hair falling in soft waves around her face, her green eyes sparkling with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
Anger? Hurt? Or was that a flicker of the old warmth we once shared?
"Alyssa," I managed, my voice sounding strangled even to my own ears. "Good morning. I, uh, I got you coffee." I held out the cup, noticing how my hand trembled slightly.
She eyed the cup warily, as if it might bite her. "You remembered my order?"
I shrugged, trying for a casual tone. "Old Tom remembered. I wasn't sure if you still..."
"I don't," she cut me off, her voice sharp. "I take it black now. But... thanks anyway."
I felt my face fall, and quickly tried to cover it with a smile. "No problem. Should we, uh, take a walk?"
Alyssa nodded curtly, turning on her heel and striding down the path without waiting for me. I hurried to catch up, falling into step beside her. The silence between us was heavy, charged with unspoken words and buried emotions.
"So," I began, desperate to break the tension. "How's Sweet Dreams doing? I heard you've really turned the place around."
Alyssa's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought she might not answer. But then she spoke, her voice carefully controlled. "It's doing well. No thanks to you, of course."
I winced at the barb, knowing I deserved it. "Alyssa, I-"
"Let's just focus on the collaboration, Sage," she interrupted, her green eyes flashing with anger. "That's why we're here, isn't it? To discuss business?"
I nodded, swallowing hard. "Right. Business. Well, I was thinking we could do a series of themed events. Maybe start with a 'Taste of Maple Grove ' night, showcasing local ingredients and flavors."
Alyssa considered this, her expression thoughtful despite her obvious desire to keep me at arm's length. "That could work. We could partner with local farms, maybe even the farmer's market."
As we walked, I couldn't help but steal glances at her. The years had been kind to Alyssa, adding a quiet strength to her delicate features. She carried herself with a confidence that both thrilled and intimidated me.
This wasn't the same girl I'd left behind - this was a woman who had built herself up from the ashes of heartbreak.
We continued to discuss ideas, our conversation stilted but productive. As we rounded a bend in the path, we came across a familiar sight - an old oak tree, its branches spreading wide over a small clearing.
Alyssa stopped abruptly, her eyes fixed on the tree. I knew what she was seeing - memories of lazy summer afternoons spent in its shade, of stolen kisses and whispered promises.
"Alyssa," I said softly, unable to stop myself. "I know I hurt you. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but-"
"Don't," she cut me off, her voice trembling slightly. "Just... don't, Sage. We're here to talk about the collaboration, nothing else."
I nodded, feeling my heart sink. "You're right. I'm sorry."
We stood there for a moment, the weight of our shared history hanging between us like a tangible thing. Finally, Alyssa spoke again, her voice softer this time.
"Do you remember when we carved our initials into that tree?"
I smiled despite myself. "How could I forget? You were so worried we'd get caught."
A ghost of a smile flitted across her face. "And you promised we'd come back in fifty years to see if they were still there."
The unspoken words hung in the air - But you didn't come back. You left me waiting.
Before I could respond, a voice called out from behind us. "Sage? Sage, is that you?"
We turned to see a striking woman jogging towards us, her long legs eating up the distance effortlessly. As she drew closer, I recognized her - Zoe.
Zoe was the epitome of sleek professionalism, even in her jogging outfit. Her black hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, not a strand out of place despite her exercise. She came to a stop before us, barely out of breath.
"I thought that was you," she said, her dark eyes darting between Alyssa and me. "I didn't realize you'd be here this morning."
I cleared my throat, suddenly aware of how this might look. "Zoe, hey. Uh, this is Alyssa Bennett from Sweet Dreams, you've met once. We're discussing the collaboration."
Zoe's perfectly shaped eyebrows rose slightly. "Ah, I see. Nice to meet you again, Alyssa. I've heard a lot about you."
Alyssa's smile was polite but cool. "Wish I could say the same."
An awkward silence fell, and I found myself wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. Zoe, ever the professional, smoothly filled the gap.
"Well, I won't interrupt your meeting. Sage, don't forget we have that conference call at two." With a nod to Alyssa and a meaningful look at me, she jogged off, leaving us alone once more.
Alyssa watched her go, her expression unreadable. "She seems... nice."
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the need to explain. "Zoe's my business partner. She handles the administrative side of things at Sugar Rush."
"Just your business partner?" Alyssa's tone was casual, but I could hear the underlying tension.
"Just business," I confirmed, meeting her eyes. "Alyssa, I-"
But whatever I was about to say was cut off by the sudden arrival of a whirlwind of teal hair and jangling bracelets. Raine practically skidded to a stop in front of us, her green eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and something that looked suspiciously like glee.
"Well, well, well," she drawled, her gaze flicking between Alyssa and me. "What do we have here? A cozy little reunion in the park?"
Alyssa's cheeks flushed, and I couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or anger. "It's not what it looks like, Raine. We're discussing the collaboration."
Raine's eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath her teal bangs. "Uh-huh. And this discussion required a romantic walk in the park because...?"
I stepped in, hoping to diffuse the tension. "It's my fault. I suggested meeting here. I thought a neutral location might be... easier."
Raine's green eyes fixed on me, and I was reminded of a cat eyeing a particularly juicy mouse. "Sage Holloway. Still as charming as ever, I see. Tell me, do they teach classes on breaking hearts in culinary school, or is that just a natural talent of yours?"
"Raine," Alyssa hissed, but I held up a hand.
"It's okay, Alyssa. I deserve that." I turned to Raine, meeting her gaze steadily. "I know I hurt Alyssa. I know I don't deserve her forgiveness or yours. But I'm here now, trying to make things right. Or at least, not make them worse."
Raine studied me for a long moment, her usual mischievous expression replaced by something more serious. Finally, she nodded. "Well, at least you're not denying it. That's a start, I suppose."
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, grimacing when I saw the caller ID. "I'm sorry, I have to take this. It's Marco, my head baker."
I stepped away, leaving Alyssa and Raine to talk as I answered the call. Marco's accented voice came through, sounding harried.
"Boss, we've got a problem. The delivery truck broke down, and we're short on ingredients for today's special orders."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Okay, Marco. Don't panic. I'll figure something out."
As I ended the call, I turned back to find Alyssa and Raine watching me. Alyssa's expression had softened slightly, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Everything okay?" she asked, her professional mask slipping for a moment.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Not really. Our delivery truck broke down, and we're short on ingredients. I need to get back to the bakery."
Alyssa bit her lip, seeming to wrestle with something internally. Finally, she spoke. "We... we might be able to help. Sweet Dreams usually gets deliveries on Tuesdays. We should have some extra stock."
I stared at her, stunned by the offer. "Alyssa, you don't have to-"
She held up a hand, cutting me off. "It's not for you, Sage. It's for the bakery. For the collaboration. We're supposed to be working together, right?"
I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you. Really, this means a lot."
Raine looked between us, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Well, well. Looks like this collaboration might work out after all. Who knows? Maybe you two will even remember how to be civil to each other."
Alyssa shot her a warning look, but I could see the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. For the first time since I'd returned to Maple Grove , I felt a glimmer of hope.
As we made our way back towards Sweet Dreams, I couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed - and how much hadn't.
Alyssa was still the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen, still capable of making my heart race with a single look. But there was a wall between us now, built of broken promises and years of hurt.
I knew I had a long way to go to earn back her trust, if that was even possible. But as we walked side by side, discussing the logistics of sharing ingredients and kitchen space, I allowed myself to hope.
Hope that maybe, just maybe, this collaboration could be the start of something new. Not a return to what we once had - that ship had long since sailed - but perhaps the beginning of something different. Something stronger.