Dreams Worth Fighting For

Sage's Point Of View

As we approached Sweet Dreams, I caught sight of a familiar figure waiting outside. Ash was leaning against the wall, his messy black hair falling into his eyes. His arms, covered in intricate tattoos, were crossed over his chest as he scanned the street.

When he spotted us, his eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath his unruly fringe. "Well, I'll be damned," he drawled, pushing off the wall. "If it isn't the prodigal son and the queen of cupcakes."

Alyssa tensed beside me, and I could practically feel the walls going back up. "Ash," she said, her voice cool. "What brings you to Sweet Dreams?"

Ash's dark eyes flicked between us, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Just thought I'd check in on my best buddy here. Make sure he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble." He winked at Alyssa. "Though it looks like I might be too late for that."

I cleared my throat, feeling the need to intervene before Ash could say something to make the situation worse. "Ash, we're here on business. Alyssa's helping us out with some ingredients."

Ash's eyebrows rose even higher. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Alyssa's cheeks flushed, and I saw her hands clench into fists at her sides. Before she could respond, however, the door to Sweet Dreams burst open, and out came a whirlwind of purple hair and enthusiasm.

"Alyssa! There you are!" Mia exclaimed, her voice bright and bubbly. "I've been trying to reach you. We've got a last-minute order for a birthday cake, and I wasn't sure if we had enough- oh!" She stopped short, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her.

Mia's purple hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and I could see the edges of cupcake tattoos peeking out from under her sleeves. 

Her round face was flushed with excitement, her brown eyes sparkling as they darted between Alyssa and me.

"Oh my gosh," she breathed, a slow grin spreading across her face. "Is this... are you Sage?"

I nodded, feeling oddly exposed under her intense gaze. "That's me. Nice to meet you, Mia."

Mia's grin widened, and she bounced on her toes. "Oh wow, this is so exciting! I've heard so much about you! Well, not from Alyssa, obviously, she never talks about you, but Mrs. Holloway is always going on about-"

"Mia," Alyssa cut in, her voice sharp. "What's this about a last-minute order?"

Mia blinked, seeming to remember why she'd come out in the first place. "Oh! Right! We got a call for a rush birthday cake. But I wasn't sure if we had enough of that special vanilla bean paste you like to use..."

Alyssa nodded, her professional mask sliding back into place. "Okay, I'll be right in to handle it." She turned to me, her expression carefully neutral. "Sage, why don't you and Ash come inside? We can sort out those ingredients for you."

As we followed Alyssa and Mia into Sweet Dreams, I couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The bakery looked much the same, but there were subtle changes - new paint on the walls, updated equipment in the kitchen, a fresh energy in the air.

Luna, Alyssa's front-of-house manager, looked up as we entered. Her bright blue hair, styled in an edgy undercut, was quite different from the bakery's pastel walls. The multiple piercings in her ears caught the light as she raised an eyebrow at our motley crew.

"Well, well," she drawled, her gaze settling on me with an intensity that made me want to squirm. "Look what the cat dragged in. Sage Holloway, in the flesh."

I offered a tentative smile. "Hey, Luna. It's been a while."

Luna's lips curved into a smirk. "Four years, give or take. But who's counting, right?" Her eyes flicked to Alyssa, concern evident in her gaze. "Everything okay, boss?"

Alyssa nodded, her professional demeanor firmly in place. "Everything's fine, Luna. Sugar Rush is having some supply issues. We're going to help them out."

Luna's eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath her blue fringe. "We're what now?"

"It's for the collaboration," Alyssa explained, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Can you watch the front while I sort this out?"

Luna nodded, but her sharp gaze never left me. I had a feeling I'd be facing some serious interrogation if I ever found myself alone with her.

As we made our way to the kitchen, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon enveloped us. It was a smell I associated with home, with lazy Sunday mornings and stolen kisses behind the counter. My heart clenched at the memories.

Mia was already in the kitchen, her purple hair bobbing as she whisked something in a large bowl. She looked up as we entered, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Oh good, you're here!" she chirped. "Alyssa, I've started on the birthday cake batter, but I wasn't sure about the decoration. The customer wants something 'whimsical but not childish' whatever that means."

Alyssa nodded, slipping easily into boss mode. "Okay, let's go with a watercolor effect on the fondant. Use soft pastels, maybe add some edible gold leaf for a touch of elegance."

As Alyssa and Mia discussed the cake details, I couldn't help but be impressed. This was a side of Alyssa I'd never really seen before - confident, authoritative, completely in her element. 

It was... attractive, if I was being honest with myself.

Ash nudged me, breaking me out of my reverie. "Close your mouth, buddy. You're starting to drool."

I shot him a glare, but before I could retort, Alyssa turned to us. "Okay, Sage. What exactly do you need?"

I quickly rattled off the list of ingredients Marco had texted me. As Alyssa and Mia moved around the kitchen, gathering supplies, I found myself marveling at how seamlessly they worked together. It was like watching a well-choreographed dance.

"So," Ash drawled, leaning against a counter. "This is cozy. Just like old times, huh?"

Alyssa stiffened, nearly dropping the bag of flour she was holding. "Not exactly," she said, her voice tight.

I shot Ash a warning look, but he just grinned, clearly enjoying the tension. "Oh come on, Alyssa. Don't tell me you haven't missed having this guy around? He may be an idiot sometimes, but he makes a mean croissant."

"Ash," I hissed, feeling my face heat up. "Not helping."

Alyssa turned to face us, her green eyes flashing. "Look, I'm doing this as a professional courtesy. That's all. Whatever happened in the past is just that - in the past."

The kitchen fell silent, the only sound the gentle whir of the mixer where Mia was studiously pretending not to listen.

I swallowed hard, feeling the need to say something, anything, to break the tension. "Alyssa, I-"

But before I could finish, the kitchen door swung open, and in walked a vision in a floral dress and cloud of white hair. Mrs. Holloway stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes taking in the scene before her.

"Well now," she said, her voice warm and slightly raspy. "Isn't this a picture? All my favorite people in one room."

The tension in the room seemed to dissipate slightly at her presence. Mrs. Holloway had always had that effect - she could calm a storm with just a smile.

"Mrs. Holloway," Alyssa said, her voice softening. "What brings you by so early?"

Mrs. Holloway's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, I had a feeling today might be interesting. Thought I'd stop by and see if I could lend a hand." Her gaze settled on me, and I felt a rush of affection for this woman who had always believed in me, even when I didn't deserve it. "Sage, dear. It's good to see you back where you belong."

I felt my throat tighten with emotion. "It's good to be back, Mrs. Holloway."

Alyssa cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "We're just helping Sugar Rush with some supplies. Nothing major."

Mrs. Holloway's eyebrows rose, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "Is that so? Well, isn't that nice. Cooperation is so important in business, don't you think?"

There was something in her tone that made me wonder if she was talking about more than just business. Judging by the way Alyssa's cheeks flushed, I wasn't the only one who caught the implication.

"Right," Alyssa said, a bit too brightly. "Well, we should get these supplies packed up. Sage, if you want to bring your car around to the back, we can load everything up."

I nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape the charged atmosphere of the kitchen. As I headed for the door, I heard Mrs. Holloway's voice behind me.

"Alyssa, dear, why don't you help Sage carry everything? These old bones of mine aren't what they used to be."

I turned just in time to see Alyssa's conflicted expression. For a moment, I thought she might refuse, but then she sighed, nodding reluctantly.

"Fine. Mia, can you handle things here for a bit?"

Mia nodded eagerly, her eyes darting between Alyssa and me with poorly concealed excitement. "Of course! Take your time!"

As Alyssa followed me out to my car, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. It wasn't much, but it was a start. And as we began loading boxes into the trunk, our hands brushing occasionally, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to make things right.

The morning sun was warm on my face as we worked, and for a moment, it felt like no time had passed at all. We were just Sage and Alyssa again, working side by side in comfortable silence.

But then Alyssa spoke, her voice soft but firm. "This doesn't change anything, you know. I'm still angry."

I nodded, meeting her gaze. "I know. And you have every right to be. But Alyssa... I meant what I said before. I want to make things right. If you'll let me."

She looked at me for a long moment, her green eyes unreadable. Finally, she sighed. "I don't know if I can, Sage. I don't know if I want to."

The words stung, but I understood. I had a lot to make up for, and it wouldn't happen overnight. "I understand. But I'm not going anywhere this time, Alyssa. I'll prove it to you, day by day if I have to."

A ghost of a smile flickered across her face. "We'll see, Sage. We'll see."

As we finished loading the car, I couldn't help but feel like something had shifted between us. It wasn't forgiveness, not yet. But it was a start. A tiny crack in the wall she'd built around her heart.

And as I drove away from Sweet Dreams, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon clinging to my clothes, I made a silent promise. To Alyssa, to myself, to the universe at large.

This time, I wouldn't run. This time, I'd stay and fight for what mattered most.

Because some dreams, I realized, were worth waking up for.