Alyssa's Point Of View
The health inspector's steely gaze met mine as I stood in the bustling front of Sweet Dreams, my heart hammering like a jackhammer beneath my flour-dusted apron.
I forced my face into a mask of calm professionalism, even as my mind raced with a thousand panicked thoughts. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not when everything was already falling apart.
"Mr. Hawthorne," I said, addressing the inspector – a rail-thin man with wire-rimmed glasses and a perpetual frown etched into his face. "I assure you, we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety here at Sweet Dreams. We just passed inspection last month with flying colors."
Mr. Hawthorne's frown deepened, if that was even possible. "Be that as it may, Ms. Bennett, we received an anonymous tip about potential violations. I'm obligated to investigate thoroughly."
I bit back a frustrated sigh. An anonymous tip? Something about this whole situation felt off, like biting into what you thought was a sweet pastry only to find it filled with salt. But I couldn't focus on that now. I had a bakery to save.
"Of course," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "We have nothing to hide. Please, follow me. I'll give you a complete tour of our facilities."
As I led Mr. Hawthorne towards the kitchen, my eyes caught Sage's. He was standing by the counter, his blue eyes clouded with concern and something else – determination?
For a moment, I felt a flicker of the old connection between us, the unspoken understanding that had once been as natural as breathing.
But then the memory of Chloe – tall, elegant Chloe with her perfect hair and her engagement ring – flashed through my mind, and I quickly looked away.
I didn't have time to deal with Sage and his complications right now.
The next hour was a blur of explaining procedures, showcasing our sanitation practices, and praying to whatever deity might be listening that we'd come through this unscathed.
Mia and Luna worked like whirlwinds around us, cleaning and organizing with a fervor that would have been comical under different circumstances.
Mia, her purple hair tucked under a hairnet, scrubbed at the already gleaming countertops with single-minded focus. The colorful cupcake tattoos that decorated her arms seemed to dance with each vigorous movement.
Luna, meanwhile, handled the front with her usual efficiency, her bright blue undercut and multiple piercings giving her an edgy look that contrasted sharply with her professional demeanor.
As Mr. Hawthorne meticulously examined every nook and cranny of Sweet Dreams, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
This bakery was more than just a business; it was a dream I'd built from the ground up, a testament to every late night, every burned batch, every moment of doubt I'd pushed through. I'd be damned if I'd let anyone take it away from me.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mr. Hawthorne closed his notebook with a sharp snap. "Well, Ms. Bennett," he said, his expression unreadable. "I must say, I'm impressed. Your establishment is, without a doubt, one of the cleanest and best-organized I've ever inspected."
The tension that had been coiled tight in my chest began to ease. "Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne. We take great pride in maintaining a safe and hygienic environment."
He nodded, a hint of a smile cracking his stony facade. "Indeed. Which makes the anonymous tip all the more puzzling. I'll be noting in my report that not only were no violations found, but that Sweet Dreams exceeds standard expectations in several areas."
Relief washed over me like a tidal wave. "Thank you," I breathed, fighting the urge to hug the dour inspector. "We appreciate your thoroughness."
As Mr. Hawthorne gathered his things to leave, the bell above the door chimed. I looked up to see Raine breezing in, her teal hair windblown and her green eyes sparkling with excitement.
She was followed closely by Oliver, who looked like he was trying very hard not to trip over his own feet.
Raine's exuberant entrance was such a different from the tense atmosphere of the past hour that I couldn't help but laugh.
My best friend had a way of lighting up a room just by being in it, her artistic soul obvious in everything from her vibrant hair to the paint splatters perpetually adorning her clothes.
"Lys!" she called out, practically bouncing over to the counter. "You'll never guess what just happened! Oliver and I– oh." She stopped short, finally noticing Mr. Hawthorne. "Am I interrupting something?"
I shook my head, feeling lighter than I had in hours. "Not at all. Mr. Hawthorne was just leaving. Weren't you, sir?"
The inspector nodded, tipping his hat. "Indeed. Good day, Ms. Bennett. You'll receive the official report within the week, but as I said, you have nothing to worry about."
As he left, Raine turned to me with wide eyes. "Okay, spill. What was that about? And why does everyone look like they've just run a marathon?"
I sighed, leaning against the counter. "Surprise health inspection. Anonymous tip about potential violations."
Raine's jaw dropped. "What? But that's ridiculous! Sweet Dreams is cleaner than most hospitals I've been in!"
"Thanks to you guys," I said, smiling gratefully at Mia and Luna, who had collapsed into nearby chairs, looking exhausted but triumphant.
Oliver, who had been hovering awkwardly behind Raine, cleared his throat. "Um, not to pry, but... is everything alright? You all look a bit... frazzled."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his understatement. Oliver had a way of making even the most stressful situations seem a little less daunting. I could see why Raine was so smitten with him.
"We're fine," I assured him. "Just a little excitement to liven up our Tuesday. But enough about that. Raine, you were saying something when you came in? Something about you and Oliver?"
Raine's face lit up, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Oh! Right! Well, you see..."
But before she could continue, the kitchen door swung open, and Sage walked out. His eyes immediately found mine, and I felt that familiar jolt of electricity, followed quickly by a surge of anger and hurt.
How dare he look at me like that when his fiancée was probably off exploring our 'quaint little town'?
"Alyssa," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Can we talk? It's important."
I was about to tell him exactly where he could shove his 'important' conversation when I noticed the look in his eyes. It wasn't just urgency I saw there, but fear. Real, palpable fear.
Despite myself, I felt a flicker of concern. "What is it, Sage?"
He glanced around the bakery, which was mercifully empty of customers at the moment. "Not here. Can we...?" He gestured towards the back office.
Every instinct I had screamed at me to say no, to tell him to take his secrets and his lies and his stupidly perfect jawline and get out of my bakery. But something in his expression made me hesitate.
"Fine," I said curtly. "Five minutes. That's all you get."
As I followed Sage to the office, I caught Raine's eye. She gave me a questioning look, to which I responded with a small shrug. I had no idea what was going on, but I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it.
The moment the office door closed behind us, Sage turned to me, running a hand through his hair – a nervous habit I remembered all too well. "Alyssa, I think we might have a problem. A big one."
I crossed my arms, leaning against the desk. "Bigger than you showing up with a fiancée after four years of radio silence? This ought to be good."
He winced at my tone but pressed on. "I think... I think Chloe might be behind the health inspection."
For a moment, I just stared at him, sure I had misheard. "I'm sorry, what?"
Sage began to pace the small office, his words coming out in a rush. "It's just a suspicion right now, but... the timing is too convenient. An anonymous tip right after she shows up unannounced? It doesn't add up."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "Are you saying your fiancée is trying to sabotage my bakery? Why on earth would she do that?"
He stopped pacing, his blue eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took my breath away. "Because she knows how I feel about you."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I gripped the edge of the desk to steady myself, my mind reeling. "How you... Sage, what are you talking about?"
He took a step towards me, and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to step back. "Alyssa, I—"
But before he could finish, a commotion from the front of the bakery caught our attention. We exchanged a quick glance before hurrying out of the office.
The scene that greeted us was pure chaos.