Chapter 5
GRAND OPENING OF SUGAR KISSED…
I lay in bed, wide awake, my eyes still closed. Today was the day I would truly step into my new life. I had already begun building something I was proud of without the shop, but this was the one thing my mother and I would share—her in spirit and me still here, the sentiment still the same.
I just wanted to lie in the moment—a moment where I wasn’t thinking about what could go wrong or if no one showed up to support my shop at all. According to Jessa and Aubree, I had nothing to worry about. Today would be so busy, I wouldn’t even be able to blink before helping another customer.
They were a bit dramatic about how today could go. I focused on staying in the moment instead. Shoot, that alone was a gift to me these days, and I held it close to my chest.
I released a sigh and opened my eyes. My bedroom reminded me of my old room back when I was a child.
It didn’t have the glitz and glam I tried to make myself accustomed to, but it felt warm and inviting.
I pulled the hand woven blanket closer, digging my body deeper into the mattress, not wanting to leave the safety and security it brought.
I smiled and squealed, reveling in the fact that today was my grand opening.
Not only that, since I’d been here, I hadn’t had that feeling of needing to look over my shoulder.
My heart and mind were beginning to feel settled in Rose Haven.
If I ever saw that cop again, I’d give him a free box of my specialty sweet potato cinnamon rolls.
I smiled and reached over towards my nightstand to grab my phone.
Out of habit, I opened the Instagram app to see if people were still looking for me.
I’d hoped they would let this go. The one saving grace about this place was none of them cared for social media.
So, I didn’t have to worry about someone calling in the media.
I scrolled until I came upon a gossip page to see my old manager standing in front of a large group of people. He looked to be hosting a press conference. I clicked on the video and his booming voice came through.
“Amore would never just up and leave. They planted the letter I found and someone had to have gotten her phone to send the text message. I am her manager. She would have run this by me before just dropping her life. I don’t believe it and the police department isn’t taking it seriously enough for me.
So we need to do the job they aren’t doing and find her.
I don’t care what we have to do, but we need to locate her. ”
My eyes widened as I watched someone who I thought always had my best interest at heart.
But this press conference made me feel more like property than a person he truly cared about.
Being around these folks in Rose Haven showed me what it looked like to be treated like a person. And what Henderson was doing wasn’t it.
I specifically wrote how I didn’t want to be found.
I thought my letter was clear enough that he would know I wasn’t being taken against my will.
Not to mention I’m sure the cop told him I was fine.
Which is why he is throwing shots at the department.
The intensity in his eyes let me know he was desperate for my return. Only money made someone that desperate.
I locked my phone and swung my feet over the side of the bed. I stretched, then made my way into my bathroom to get cleaned up for the day.
After I brushed my teeth, showered, did my hair, and got dressed. I made my way down to the bakery. It was still early; I needed to prep and start baking for the opening if I wanted to open on time. A knock at the side door pulled me out of my zone for a moment.
I jogged over and lifted the blinds to see Jessa, Aubree, and Miss Lottie.
They held big smiles and cups of coffee; I assumed.
I quickly unlocked the door and stepped to the side so they could walk in.
Everyone gave me a light hug as they passed, leaving Miss Lottie last, who held me a bit longer and kissed my cheek before entering.
“So where do you need us?” Jessa asked.
I looked around at everyone, my eyes misting because they didn’t have to be here, but they were.
I clasped my hands in front of me, then pointed toward the large metal tables in the center of the room, covered in dough.
“Well, first, thank you. I know you could have been doing other things this morning, but I definitely need all the help I can get until I can hire someone.”
“No worries, girl. We’re here, but you’re definitely going to need to find you some help once these folks get a taste of your deserts,” Aubree said.
I smiled and instructed them to head to the sinks to wash their hands, then we got everything prepped and into the oven. The night before, I’d baked over two hundred cupcakes in different flavors, hoping I’d sell them all. I wasn’t sure if I was overdoing it or not, but something had taken over me.
I even made the frosting and fillings that would go into each one, so it was more of me showing them how to pipe the cupcakes than make them.
The dough on the metal table were my pink lemonade scones.
I’d planned to have those served during my morning rush.
So I didn’t want to make too many of them.
They tasted better when they were fresh.
In addition, we were doing a raspberry almond danish, and Peach Cobbler Muffins.
A few hours had gone by, and I was adding the finishing touches. Jessa and Aubree headed out into the bakery to make sure the tables were set the way I wanted. Miss Lottie stayed behind with me, helping arrange the treats onto metal trays for the pastry case.
Once I was satisfied, I packed a few of each item into three boxes just for them as a thank you, then set them aside so we wouldn’t mix them up with what we were selling.
Sugar Kissed would be opening in thirty minutes, and to my surprise, a line had already formed outside. I wiped down the pastry case and counters one more time, like they weren’t already spotless. Today needed to go perfectly.
In my mind, today had to make sense. It had to work, or leaving my old life behind meant nothing. Like maybe all I was good for was being a sex symbol—and nothing more. I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes for a moment.
Then soft hands wrapped around mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. I opened my eyes to find Miss Lottie looking back at me, her warm brown gaze steady.
“You got this, honey. Don’t let doubt creep in now. It doesn’t belong here when you have the talent and you’ve done the work. You just needed an audience to see it. Which, as you can see, the entire town of Rose Haven seems to be waiting on the sidewalk,” she said.
I chuckled and looked around my shop, taking in the cream, pink, and gold accents. I wanted the place to feel like one of the Paris bakeries I’d visited had been dropped smack dab in the middle of this beautiful small town. They deserved the essence of luxury.
Pink flowers draped around the room, and soft velvet chairs in blush tones sat between white and gold tabletops. It was more than I could have imagined.
Miss Lottie wrapped her free arm around my waist pulling me in for a side hug, then tapped my hip before releasing me.
“Now go get cleaned up. You only have twenty minutes. You want to look your best before you open those doors. Oh, and make sure you get that flour out of your hair,” she instructed.
My eyes widened as I touched my face, flour coating the tips of my fingers. I turned to leave, then doubled back to kiss her cheek and thank her before rushing to the back to get cleaned up before the doors opened.
Time seemed to pass in a blur. I made it back downstairs with only a few minutes to spare. We turned on some ’90s R&B and let everyone in. The first people to step inside were Mr. and Mrs. Whitman. Their eyes widened as they held hands and walked toward me, and I smiled as they approached.
“You did such an amazing job, honey. This place looks nothing like it used to, but it looks perfect for you. I hope this old building gives you the same fulfillment it gave me and my love. Oh, and what would you suggest we try?” Mr. Whitman asked.
I smiled and grabbed a box, then filled it with a few different things I felt they would enjoy. Then handed it over to them. Mr. Whitman reached down into his pocket for his wallet, but I stopped him.
“No, it’s on me. I hope you enjoy them and thank you for trusting me with your legacy.”
They smiled and thanked me a few times before walking out of the shop.
I took a breath as I watched everyone file in, their eyes drifting around in amazement. I was sure it felt like a big change from when it was Hole Hearted. When the Whitmans owned the place, it had that mom-and-pop feel—simple, familiar. It worked for this town.
But I wanted to give them something different. A touch of luxury. Even if I’d left my old life behind, I couldn’t deny that pieces of it had followed me here.
Jessa was running the register. Miss Lottie and I handled packaging the orders.
Aubree walked around making sure everyone was comfortable and cleaned tables.
Things had been moving fast-paced all day, and it was close to closing time.
I instructed Jessa to take Miss Lottie home.
I appreciated all her help but today was a lot and I am sure she was tired.
I tried to give her the box of treats, but she declined telling me to gift it to someone else.
Aubree and Jessa grabbed their boxes to go after I told them they were free to leave.
With just thirty minutes before closing, things had finally slowed down.
I’d sold out of everything, so I kept telling everyone to come back tomorrow when I’d have more.
That was just one more thing I needed to get started on tonight.
I turned up the radio as “I Like” by Guy played. I grabbed the broom from the back storage closet and began sweeping the floors. I swung my hips, following the beat, celebrating my successful opening. The customers had stopped coming in, so I wasn’t too worried about anyone else coming by.
I sang into the broom like it was my version of a microphone.
I continued to wind my hips seductively while Aaron Hall sang about how much he liked the way she turned him on.
I was so wrapped up in the song I didn’t hear the bell over the front door ding.
The minute the song ended, I heard clapping and almost jumped out of my skin.
I gripped my chest as I turned around, coming face to face with Duke. He was wearing joggers, a white tee with a black leather jacket, and sneakers. The steady beat of my heart slowed at his presence and a peace settled over me.
“You scared the hell out of me.” I announced.
He still hadn’t said anything, just staring at me like he was memorizing every part of me.
His gaze made me nervous, but not in a terrified way.
More like I knew exactly what he could do to my nervous system—and it might not be for the best. Shit, he had a girlfriend…
or at least a crazy ex I had no intentions of dealing with.
He glanced back at the door, then back at me. “The door is still unlocked, love. Not to mention, you got this music blasting in here like you in a club. That’s unsafe as fuck, but I enjoyed the show.”
I rolled my eyes and brushed the loose curl that wouldn’t stay out of my line of sight away. I exhaled quietly. He was right—but I didn’t want him to know that.
I turned to walk past him, catching a hint of his scent. Worn leather and sandalwood, with something warm and faintly sweet beneath it. Vanilla, maybe. But there was nothing soft about him. I knew that. There couldn’t be—not with all the leather and that motorcycle.
I’d seen all the movies. Even acted in a few. My perception had to be right… because my mind and heart were at stake.
I stepped behind the counter and tapped it a few times, causing his eyes to travel to the empty pastry case. I hoped this was enough space to keep my hormones in check. I glanced at the clock and he followed my line of sight to the clock, then smirked.
“You ready for me to go?” he asked, with a lift of his brow.
I wiped my now moist hands onto my apron with a nervous laugh.
“Oh no, nothing like that. But I don’t have anything left. If you come early tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll have something.”
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and nodded. “I figured I just wanted to congratulate you. Since we’re neighbors and shit. I hope you have a goodnight, oh and lock this door behind me.”
I gave him a small nod and watched as he turned to leave. When the thought of the treats on my back counter flashed through my mind. Before I could talk myself out of it or he reached for the door handle, I called out to him.
“Wait. I think I have something in the back.” I told him.
Duke glanced over his shoulder with a rise of his brow and a closed-mouth smile. He turned to walk back over towards the counter.
“Give me just a sec’,” I said, then rushed into the back to find the box I had initially offered to Miss Lottie still on the counter.
I opened it and everything still looked fresh and good to go.
So I closed the box and walked back out to the floor.
I stepped around the counter to hand it to him.
His fingers brushed against mine, causing me to pull back quickly, hoping he had a good handle on the box.
His touch felt like a live wire. Had to be because of friction, I rationalized.
“It’s on me. I hope you like everything, neighbor.” I said with a smile, then clasped my hands behind my back.
Without a word, Duke reached into his pocket and pulled out a few hundreds, then placed it into the tip jar on the counter.
“That’s too much—” I started.
“Nah, never give anything away for free you worked yo’ ass off for. I’m sure I’m gonna love it. You have a good nigh and stay safe.”
He didn’t leave room for me to respond. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I stilled as his smooth, full lips brushed against my skin, lingering just long enough to make my breath hitch. My eyes closed, letting the way his nearness made my body feel take over.
When I opened them, his back was to me as he strolled toward the door. Then he glanced over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at his lips, before walking out—leaving my lust-filled ass standing there with nothing but thoughts of him handling my body the way it needed to be.
The wink he gave me let me know… this was only the beginning.
“I don’t have time for this,” I groaned aloud.
Then looked down at my pussy. “And you cut it out too. That man is not ours.”
At least, that was what I was trying to remind myself.