Listen to your Heart

Alyssa's Point Of View

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant even as my insides churned with anxiety. "It's business. We need to make this collaboration work."

Mrs. Holloway nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit, dear. Keep an open mind."

Raine, however, was looking at me with a knowing glint in her eye. "And where, pray tell, is this business meeting taking place?"

I hesitated, knowing how Raine would interpret this. "The park," I admitted finally.

Raine's eyes widened, and she exchanged a significant look with Luna. "The park? As in, your old stomping grounds? The place where you and Sage used to--"

"It's just a convenient location," I cut her off, feeling my cheeks heat up. "It doesn't mean anything."

Oliver, who had been watching this exchange with fascination, piped up. "I'm sensing there's a story here. Care to fill in the new guy?"

Luna patted his arm sympathetically. "Oh, honey. We'd need more than a few brownies to get through that saga."

I shot her a warning look, but Mrs. Holloway just chuckled. "Young love," she said, her eyes twinkling. "It's never simple, is it?"

I felt a surge of frustration. "There's no 'young love' here," I insisted. "That's all in the past. Sage and I are just... just..."

"Exes forced to work together due to circumstances beyond their control?" Raine supplied helpfully.

"Business associates," I finished firmly. "Nothing more."

The skeptical looks on their faces told me they weren't buying it. Even Oliver, who had known me for all of fifteen minutes, looked doubtful.

"Well," Mrs. Holloway said, breaking the awkward silence. "I think this calls for some comfort food. Alyssa, dear, why don't you box up some of those lavender shortbread cookies for me? And maybe a few extra for you to take home."

I smiled gratefully at her, glad for the distraction. As I moved to pack up the cookies, I overheard Raine talking to Oliver.

"So, new English teacher, huh? You know, I run art classes at the community center on weekends. You should stop by sometime."

Oliver's face lit up. "Really? That sounds great! I'd love to..."

Their voices faded into the background as I focused on the task at hand, carefully arranging the delicate cookies in a box. 

As I worked, I couldn't help but think about tomorrow. About seeing Sage in the park where we'd shared so many moments.

Part of me wanted to cancel, to run as far away from Sage Holloway as I could. 

But a smaller, traitorous part of me was curious. Curious to see if the spark we once had was truly gone, or if it had just been buried under years of hurt and resentment.

As I finished boxing up Mrs. Holloway's cookies, I pushed those thoughts aside. It didn't matter what I felt, or what Sage might feel. This was business, nothing more. I had to keep reminding myself of that.

"Here you go, Mrs. Holloway," I said, handing her the box with a forced smile. "Extra cookies, as requested."

Mrs. Holloway took the box, her knowing gaze never leaving my face. "Thank you, dear. And remember, sometimes the heart knows things the mind can't explain. Don't be afraid to listen to it."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As Mrs. Holloway made her way to the door, she paused to pat Oliver on the shoulder. "Welcome to Maple Grove, young man. I have a feeling you're going to fit right in."

Oliver beamed at her, his freckles dancing as he smiled. "Thank you, ma'am. I think I'm going to like it here."

As the door closed behind Mrs. Holloway, Luna clapped her hands together. "Alright, folks. It's closing time. Raine, you staying to help clean up?"

Raine, who had been deep in conversation with Oliver, looked up with a start. "Oh, right! Yeah, of course."

Oliver stood up, brushing crumbs from his shirt. "I should get going. Thanks for the amazing brownies, and the warm welcome." He turned to Raine, a shy smile on his face. "And I'll definitely check out those art classes."

As Oliver left, Raine watched him go with a dreamy expression. Luna nudged her with an elbow. "Earth to Raine. You've got a little drool there."

Raine swatted her away, laughing. "Oh, shut up. He's cute, okay?"

I couldn't help but smile at their banter as we began the process of closing up the bakery. As I wiped down tables and Luna counted the till, Raine perched on a nearby stool, her expression turning serious.

"So, about tomorrow," she began cautiously. "Are you sure you're okay with this, Lys? Meeting Sage at the park... that's a lot of memories to deal with."

I sighed, pausing in my cleaning. "I don't know if I'm okay with it, to be honest. But I don't really have a choice, do I? This collaboration could be huge for Sweet Dreams."

Luna looked up from the cash register, her expression fierce. "You always have a choice, boss. Say the word, and I'll call Sage right now and tell him where he can stick his collaboration."

I laughed despite myself, touched by Luna's loyalty. "Thanks, Luna, but that won't be necessary. I can handle Sage."

Raine hopped off her stool, coming over to wrap an arm around my shoulders. "We know you can, honey. We just worry, that's all. You've worked so hard to build this place up after... well, after everything."

I leaned into her embrace, grateful for her support. "I know. And I appreciate you both looking out for me. But I need to do this. For the bakery, and... and for myself, I think."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "For yourself?"

I nodded slowly, surprising myself with the realization. "Yeah. I think... I think I need to prove to myself that I can face Sage without falling apart. That I'm stronger now."

Raine squeezed my shoulders. "You are stronger, Lys. So much stronger than you realize."

As we finished closing up, I felt a strange mix of anxiety and determination settling in my chest. Tomorrow would be challenging, no doubt about it. But I was ready. Or at least, as ready as I could be.

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my mind raced with thoughts of tomorrow. What would Sage say? How would he look? Would he try to bring up the past, or would he keep things strictly professional?

I tossed and turned, unable to quiet my thoughts. Finally, I reached for my phone, opening up my message thread with Raine.

"You awake?" I typed.

A moment later, my phone buzzed with her reply. "For you? Always. Can't sleep?"

I sighed, typing out my response. "Too many thoughts. Tell me I'm not making a huge mistake."

Raine's reply came quickly. "You're not making a mistake, Lys. You're facing your past head-on. That takes guts."

I smiled at her words, feeling some of the tension leave my body. "Thanks, Raine. What would I do without you?"

"Crash and burn, obviously," came her cheeky reply. Then, a moment later: "You've got this, Lys. No matter what happens tomorrow, remember how far you've come. Sage Holloway doesn't define you anymore."

I read her words over and over, letting them sink in. She was right. I wasn't the same girl Sage had left behind four years ago. I was stronger now, more resilient. Whatever happened tomorrow, I could handle it.

With that thought, I finally felt sleep begin to tug at me. As I drifted off, my last conscious thought was of the park, of sunlight filtering through leaves, and of a pair of familiar blue eyes that once held my whole world.