CHAPTER EIGHT

SIERRA

Pastry Palooza was a grand slam with everybody loving my cinnamon bacon scones. Unfortunately, that”s where my luck seemed to run out because, despite the judges of McCoy Security appreciating my artistic latte art, when it came to taste for my Suitor’s Crossing-inspired drink, Caleb won by a mile. And with two wins under his belt to my measly one, James declared him The Cafe Clash winner.

What a way to end the week.

On a freaking loss.

“Congratulations,” I mutter half-heartedly, shaking Caleb’s hand Friday evening as we pose for a picture in the town”s newspaper. The sparks the touch ignites reminds me of our kiss in his Jeep. A kiss I’ve shoved to the back of my mind while I prepped for the Brew Battle, the last contest of our competition. But now that it’s done—with Buttercream Dreams named the loser—I’m not sure how to feel about Caleb.

Do we go back to the way we were? Or do I take his suggestion and continue to work with him rather than by myself? And how does that work if we’re dating?

Oh my god, I’m thinking about dating—and doing other pleasurable things—with Caleb Vickers.

“Don”t sound so glum, Sierra Bear. We”re all winners here, right?” Caleb grins. “Business has been booming for both of us. You can”t deny that.”

“No, but I hate losing, especially to you.”

“Aww, come on… It”s not so bad when you have a worthy opponent, right?”

“Sure.” My eyes roll toward the ceiling as I smother a laugh. Always so confident. So cocky. Before all of this, that would have annoyed me. But now I find it kind of sexy.

Ugh, what happened to my resolve to ignore this attraction to him?

Probably disappeared around the time his hand cupped my breast during our make out session.

“You guys are amazing.” Luna Fielding, a quirky local and multi-passionate entrepreneur, comes up to congratulate us with her husband in tow. Purple curls tickle my cheek as she gives me a hug. “I was just telling Austin how collaborating together has really worked for you guys. Everything you”ve created this past week has been next-level awesome.”

“Thank you! That means a lot coming from you.” And I mean it. Luna is a creative genius, whether it’s building the dating app for town locals called Suitor’s Sparks or taking on remodeling projects around town like Austin’s office at The Ole Aces. Her stamp of approval makes me feel better about potentially working with Caleb again.

Speculation lights up Luna’s eyes as she looks up at Austin before returning her attention to Caleb and I. “Have you guys thought about teaming up permanently?”

“What do you mean?” The question catches me off guard.

Team up permanently?

“Well, y”all work right next to each other,” she says, ticking points off on her fingers. “It would be easy enough to remove this wall that separates the spaces and combine it into one incredible cafe with the best coffee and pastries.” Luna’s face sparkles with excitement. “I would help, of course, if it’s something you’re interested in. Oh! You could premiere the grand opening at the All Schools Day Parade! Tons of people will be in town, and there will be a lot of publicity for the event.”

“That”s not a bad idea.”

“You want to remove a wall?”

Caleb and I speak at the same time, though he doesn’t sound as shocked as I am at Luna’s proposal.

“My girl”s all about expansion and leveling up.” Austin wraps an arm around Luna”s shoulders before dropping a kiss to her head. “But I can vouch for her talent. The Ole Aces is better for her hand of magic.”

Of course he”d say that. He”s in love with her.

But I”m not.

And I”m not mentally prepared to completely change my entire business to work with Caleb. No matter how easy Luna makes it sound.

“He’s being modest. Rhys and Austin already had most of the main bar area renovated. I swooped in at the last minute to add a couple touches to his office.” Luna places a hand over her husband’s heart, an adoring expression brightening her features. They really are a cute couple—the scarred veteran and curvy creative. “But it”s just a thought. I want both of you to have as much success as possible, and if this event has shown me anything, it”s that the two of you are a force to be reckoned with.” She smiles to soften the blow of her suggestion.

But I can”t shake it.

Even after she”s gone.

Even after it”s just Caleb and I left in Brewed to clean up the aftermath of The Cafe Clash ending.

“You”ve been suspiciously quiet all night. Still thinking about Luna”s suggestion?”

Setting my broom against the wall, I face him. “Aren’t you?”

“The idea has merit.” He rests against the front counter, setting aside the rag and spray bottle he”d been using to wipe down the top.

“How can you say that? She wants us to basically disband our current businesses to create a super cafe.” I pace the checkered floor as thoughts of what it would mean to team up with Caleb race through my mind. “I”m not sure I”m ready to give up Buttercream Dreams—the bakery I”ve worked for years to build. Can you say the same about Brewed?”

He sighs and runs a hand through his disheveled hair. The shaggy strands really do need a trim. Even if the longer length suits him. Tempts me to grab on and—Not the time, Sierra!

“Don”t think about it as giving something up. Think about what you”ll be gaining instead. Our core businesses will still be the same, whether it”s Buttercream Dreams or Brewed or a different super cafe name,” he jokes. “The benefit is growing our businesses in a direction that”s more profitable, more sustainable. That”s what this whole event was about, right? Combating the current state of affairs with you know who breathing down our necks.”

He”s not wrong.

And I hate that.

“What would we even name it? Brewed Buttercream Dreams?” Bleh, not the catchiest name around.

“Nah, that”s too long. Plus, it clings to the old. We want to step into the future and a new beginning. I was thinking something like ‘Cups and Cakes Crossing.’”

“You”re kidding. You already thought of a name?”

“Wasn”t that difficult. You know I like wordplay.” He winks, and a mischievous grin shows off his dimples.

“Crossing”s Cups Cakes.” I rearrange the words. Test them out.

“Even better. Then we”re paying homage to the town which is bound to gain us major points.”

“This is insane. You know that, right?”

Caleb straightens from his bent position. “Does that mean you”re in?”

Does it?This is a major decision. Shouldn”t I take longer than the few hours it”s been since Luna first suggested the merger? Except this doesn’t feel like a rash decision. It kind of feels like the next step in my career.

Am I really considering this?

“If Luna”s planning on demolishing a wall, we”re going to take a financial hit since we”ll have to close down during the renovation.”

“Good thing we just had this week of increased profits to tide us over.” Caleb rounds the counter and stops my agitated pacing with two hands on my hips.

Staring up at his warm brown eyes, a thrill of anticipation runs through my veins. “Are you always this optimistic?”

“I have to be when you”re always glass half empty.”

“I haven”t always been that way,” I mutter, dropping my chin to avoid his gaze.

“Yeah, I know. That chain is really getting to you, aren”t they?”

“They shouldn”t. I”m not on my last leg or anything, business-wise.”

“No, but you”re thinking ahead. Trying to prevent any problems that might crop up in the future.” He squeezes my love handles before hugging me closer. The comforting scent of coffee beans and something uniquely Caleb surrounds me like a cozy blanket on a cool winter’s night.

“Look. I know this seems impulsive, and I won”t deny that I have my misgivings. Hell, I”ve worked at least as hard as you building Brewed. But the fact of the matter is, no matter our egos, the both of us know that people come to me for coffee and you for pastries. They will literally stop by my place and then five minutes later walk over to yours. Why don”t we get rid of the commute? Admit our weaknesses, and let each other’s strengths compensate for the lack.”

Why does he sound so reasonable? It makes it harder to convince myself that this might be a terrible idea.

“What do you say, Sierra Bear? We can call Luna right now. Have her start demoing the wall next week. That”ll give us eight weeks until the All Schools Day Parade. Two months before our grand reveal. We can get a lot done in that time.”

My skin itches with the prospect of a new adventure. Business hasn’t exactly been stale the past few years, but the whirlwind of opening my own bakery and becoming profitable has died down. Do I really want to sacrifice the little bit of peace I’ve carved out for myself by jumping into an expansion by merging with Brewed?

My gut says yes.

So, I send a prayer heavenward and offer Caleb a tremulous smile before committing to an unknown future. “I”m in.”