Page 20 of Stuck with my Boss Daddies

I hated that I still loved her.

And that scared the hell out of me.

CHAPTER SIX

Sadie

The second thescent of warm maple and cinnamon hit me, I felt sixteen again. Back when opening up didn’t scare me so much…

Sweet Maple Bakery was just a few doors down from Page Turners, and stepping inside was like walking straight into the past. The tiny shop hadn’t changed one bit… the same glass display cases brimming with golden croissants, flaky turnovers, and thick, icing-dripped cinnamon rolls.

Pale blue walls were lined with shelves of homemade jams, honey, and little bags of spiced pecans from Mrs. Miller’s farm. A tiny chalkboard sign still hung by the counter, announcing the daily specials in loopy cursive.

And the same damn maple donuts.

Kai’s hand brushed against mine as he reached for the door, holding it open like it was second nature.

The warmth of his skin made my stomach flip.

I stepped inside, and a wave of nostalgia hit so hard it nearly knocked me over.

Harriet Cooper stood behind the counter, her apron dusted with flour and her silver hair pulled into a bun.

The second she saw us, her face lit up.

“Well, look who it is,” she said, beaming. “Sadie Collins. I haven’t seen you in ages.”

I smiled, feeling a little guilty. “It’s been a while.”

“Too long,” she chided, wiping her hands on her apron before leaning over the counter to pull me into a warm hug. She smelled like sugar and butter and home. “It’s good to have you back, sweetheart.”

Kai cleared his throat. “I’m here too, y’know.”

Harriet rolled her eyes. “You’re here every other week, Kai. You’re not special.”

I snorted, and he shot me a look before turning back to her. “You got any maple donuts left?”

She scoffed.

“Of course we do. You think I’d run out of your favorite?” She grabbed a small paper bag and winked at me. “And I’ll throw in an extra for old times’ sake.”

We sat in our spot by the window, warm donuts in hand.

The golden glaze was sticky between my fingers, the smell bringing back memories so fast my head spun.

Kai took a bite and groaned. “Still the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

I hummed in agreement, chewing slowly. “Remember when we used to sneak out of school just to come here?”

Kai smirked. “Sneak? You say that like we didn’t bribe your math teacher with a chocolate croissant every Friday.”

I laughed. “Mr. Langley loved us.”

“He loved free pastries.”

“True!”

The smile on my face stretched wider than it had done for a very long time.

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