Flavors of Anger and Hurt

Alyssa's Point Of View

"You fixed it," I said, unable to keep the awe out of my voice.

Sage shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It wasn't that complicated once I got in there. The blade was pretty mangled, though. You might want to order a replacement soon."

I nodded, still staring at the mixer in disbelief. Then I turned to Sage, conflict warring in my chest. On one hand, he'd just saved us from a potential disaster.

On the other... well, he was still Sage. The man who'd broken my heart and left me to pick up the pieces.

"Thank you," I said finally, my voice stiff. "That was... helpful."

Sage's smile faltered a bit at my tone, but he pressed on. "You're welcome. Listen, Alyssa, about the collaboration..."

I held up a hand, cutting him off. "Not here, Sage. Not in front of my staff."

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Right, of course. Sorry, I didn't mean to overstep."

An awkward silence fell between us, thick with unspoken words and shared history. Mia, bless her, chose that moment to pipe up.

"So, what's in the bag?" she asked, eyeing the paper sack Sage had set aside.

Sage's face lit up again. "Oh! Right, I almost forgot. These are some test recipes for the collaboration event. I was hoping maybe we could try them together? Get your opinion?"

I hesitated, torn. Part of me wanted to send Sage packing, to hold onto my anger and mistrust. But another part... another part was curious. And if I was being honest with myself, a little impressed by the effort he was putting into this.

"Fine," I said finally, ignoring the way Mia's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "We can try them. But this doesn't mean I've agreed to anything, understand?"

Sage nodded eagerly, like a puppy that had just been offered a treat. "Of course. No pressure, I promise. I just... I want you to see what I have in mind."

I sighed, gesturing towards the small break room off the main kitchen. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

As we made our way to the break room, I caught sight of Raine peeking through the kitchen door. She gave me an exaggerated wink and a thumbs up, mouthing "Get it, girl!"

I rolled my eyes, feeling a blush creep up my neck. Sometimes I wondered why I kept such interfering friends around. But deep down, I knew.

Without Raine's unwavering support and Mia's sunny optimism, I might never have made it through those dark days after Sage left.

The break room was small but cozy, with a worn couch, a rickety table, and a mini-fridge stocked with energy drinks and leftover pastries. Sage set his bag on the table and began unpacking it with the care of someone handling precious gems.

"Okay," he said, lining up five small boxes. "I've got a few different things here. I was trying to come up with flavors that would complement what Sweet Dreams is known for, without stepping on your toes."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Oh? And what do you think Sweet Dreams is known for?"

Sage met my gaze, a soft smile on his face. "Fresh, bright flavors. Fruit-forward desserts with a homey twist. Comfort food elevated to an art form."

I blinked, surprised by his accurate assessment. "You've done your research," I said, unable to keep a note of approval from my voice.

He shrugged, looking almost shy. "I may have spent a lot of time studying your menu. And, uh, sampling quite a few items."

The thought of Sage sitting in my bakery, tasting my creations, sent an odd flutter through my stomach. I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Alright, let's see what you've got," I said, gesturing to the boxes.

Sage opened the first one, revealing a small, golden-brown tart. "This is a salted caramel apple tart," he explained. "I remembered how much you love apple desserts, so I wanted to do a twist on a classic."

I picked up the tart, examining it closely. The crust was perfectly flaky, the caramel glistening in the light. I took a small bite, and... oh. Oh, it was good. The tartness of the apples balanced perfectly with the rich caramel, and the hint of salt brought everything together.

"Well?" Sage asked, watching me anxiously.

I swallowed, trying to keep my face neutral. "It's... not bad," I admitted grudgingly.

Sage's face lit up like I'd just given him the highest praise imaginable. "Really? You like it?"

I nodded, unable to lie. "The balance of flavors is good. And the crust is perfect."

He beamed at me, and for a moment, I felt a pang of... something. Nostalgia, maybe. Or regret for what could have been.

We worked our way through the other desserts – a lavender honey cheesecake, a dark chocolate raspberry torte, a peach and bourbon hand pie, and finally, a lemon basil sorbet that made my taste buds sing.

As I tasted each creation, I couldn't help but be impressed. Sage had clearly put a lot of thought into these recipes, each one showcasing his skills while still feeling like a natural fit for Sweet Dreams.

"So," Sage said as I finished the last spoonful of sorbet. "What do you think? Could you see these working for the collaboration?"

I looked at him, really looked at him for the first time since he'd walked back into my life. He was older now, with a few lines around his eyes that hadn't been there before.

But his gaze was still open, still earnest. Still able to make my heart do funny things in my chest.

"They're good, Sage," I said finally. "Really good. But..."

"But?" he prompted, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

I sighed, setting down my spoon. "But I'm still not sure about this collaboration. It's not just about the desserts. It's about... trust. Working together means trusting each other, and I'm not sure I can do that. Not after..."

"Not after I left," Sage finished quietly.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "You hurt me, Sage. You hurt me in a way I didn't think was possible. And now you're back, with your fancy bakery and your brilliant ideas, and I just... I don't know if I can risk it."

Sage was quiet for a long moment, his eyes never leaving mine. When he spoke, his voice was low and intense.

"I know I hurt you, Alyssa. And I know saying sorry doesn't even begin to cover it. But I'm not asking for your forgiveness, or for things to go back to the way they were. I'm asking for a chance to prove that I've changed. That I can be someone you can trust, even if it's just in a professional capacity."

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes and blinked them back furiously. I would not cry in front of Sage Holloway. Not again.

"I need time," I said finally. "To think about all of this. Can you give me that?"

Sage nodded immediately. "Of course. Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

As he packed up the leftover desserts, leaving them for me and my staff, I couldn't help but wonder if I was making a huge mistake.

Was I letting my anger and hurt blind me to a potentially amazing opportunity? Or was I right to be cautious, to protect myself and my bakery from getting hurt again?

One thing was for sure – Sage Holloway was not making this easy. And as I watched him walk out of Sweet Dreams, his shoulders slightly slumped but his head held high, I realized that my decision wasn't just about business anymore.

It was about my heart, and whether I was brave enough to risk it one more time.