Business is...pretty flipping great today. I know by most standards three customers in the span of four hours isn't the best but compared to opening day, I'm practically a celebrity. Sierra's Sweets has been open a week now and I know I have a shit ton of work to do before this bakery reaches the success I want it to but it's work that I'm willing to put it. I'll get there some day. I'm sure I will.

Still, I'm only human so as I calculate my current bank balance and the money required to maintain this shop, I can't help but feel a flash of nerves. I'm walking a thin line here. Like, vagina razor thin. If I don't get a boatload of customers and soon I'm going to be in big trouble. It's one thing to start your own business but keeping it going is something else altogether. Especially when you have this picture in your head of what you hope your business will look like and the real thing isn't like that all. It's a soul-crushing realization and it's hard not to doubt yourself. It's hard to push the thoughts of failure away.

I take the calculator away and tell myself that's enough. It's only been one week. Small business owners always talk about how the first year is the hardest. I've been at this a whopping nine days so I need to suck it up and prepare myself for things to get even worse. That's just the reality. But this time next year this whole bakery will be full of happy and fed customers. I'll run out of packaging for personal deliveries and I might even have kitchen staff other than myself. Yeah. I know it. One day, though. Just not today or any of the days coming up.

I open up my phone since no one is here anyway and scroll through the bakery's Instagram account. That's when I notice I'm up to seven hundred and fifty followers and grin, screenshotting it and posting it to my story. I add a thank you caption and let it load. Only as soon as I click refresh, I'm suddenly down to seven hundred and forty-nine followers. My jaw drops. Which asshole never wants to see me win? I delete the damned story with a few choice words and get rid of the phone again. That's what I get for going on it in the first place. Fail.

When I check the clock I realize I still have four hours in my shift to go. My head thumps to the counter, accompanied by a miserable groan. I hate that this is my dream job and I'm so unhappy. It shouldn't be this way, right? Baking makes me so, so happy. It reminds me of my childhood and I had a really great childhood. Weight issues were always there, yeah, but my childhood was way before I realized the world was full of assholes and saw myself as something society would never accept. To me, I was just like any other person. I was just Sierra, and Sierra always loved baking. It was a happier and simpler time.

"Fuck it," I mutter, grabbing my apron and tying it around my waist. Baking is what makes me happy so that's what I'm going to freaking do. And I'll bake something the bakery isn't currently selling. Trying new recipes always excites me and it's safe to say I could use some excitement right now.

My eyes scan the kitchen and I try to remind myself of the things I should be grateful for. This kitchen is state of the art and a huge chunk of my savings went into it. The steel appliances are every baker's wet dream, from the dual-oven to the stand mixer to the spacious fridge that could literally hold two dead bodies no problem. I was so excited when this kitchen came to life exactly the way it looked in my head. Now it's mine and I can use it whenever I want to do whatever I want so why the hell was I sulking two feet away with my back to it? I haven't used this kitchen nearly enough as it deserves to be used. It's time to get over my pity party and appreciate what's in front of me.

I connect my phone to the bakery's speaker system and blast California Girls by Katy Perry. When I first decided my move would be to California, I promised myself I would play this song because it would finally apply to me. Yes, Katy Perry. I am a California Girl and I am unforgettable. I don't know about being hot enough to melt a man's popsicle but I'd like to think I could at least thaw it.

I take the liberty of putting the song on repeat since I'm the only one in here and no one can judge me for listening to the same song fifteen times in a row. I mean, I'm not at all exaggerating because I manage to make a batch of cupcakes and icing and the song is still on a loop. Although at some point a man did yell "change the fucking song!" to which I gave him the middle finger from my window. Not good for business but he deserved it and I think Katy Perry would've been proud. I also might have cranked the volume a tad bit higher. Sue me.

Admittedly, I take it too far. When I have a batch of dozen cupcakes all iced and pretty and ready to go, I grab two and hold them up to my tits like Katy Perry in the music video. Then I give 'em a jiggle and belt out, "SEX! ON THE BEACH!"

"Sierra?"

"Ahhh!" I throw the cupcakes up in the air instinctively. All I can do is watch in dread as Holden and the man he's with both follow the airborne cupcakes with their eyes, heads tipped up and coming back down simultaneously like it was rehearsed. The kitchen isn't all that visible from the front counter but there's no mistaking the splat of icing when the cupcakes fall to the floor. At least they can't see the specks of pink that are now decorating my shoes.

"What did those poor cupcakes ever do to you?" The man beside Holden asks with a grin, eyes sparkling in obvious amusement.

My laughter sounds pained. I hold up a finger and hit the floor a moment later, crawling over to a dish towel and insulting myself the entire way.

Fabulous. Awesome. Finger my G-spot fantastic.

The last thing I needed was to make myself a fool in front of Holden after our last two disastrous conversations and that's exactly what I did. Holden three. Sierra zero.

I wipe my shoes and the floor as fast as I can before discarding the towel. Then I do a quick pit-sniff check. I mean, Holden has enough ammunition against me and I don't need to be doing him any more favours. Plus, his friend was ridiculously hot and I made a less than stellar first impression so it's time to bring my A-game. I unbutton the top button of my blouse, give my a hair a shake, then get to my feet as gracefully as I can. There's a sway to my hips as I make my way to the front counter and I plaster on a smile I don't quite feel, trying not to come across as the nervous wreck I am.

"You actually came," I manage to say through gritted teeth. Because seriously? The one time in my life I didn't want Holden to listen to me and he does. He lives to make my life hell, the stupid jerk. I just know it.

One of his brows go up at whatever look is on my face. "By your invitation. By the way, that note was messy as hell. I wrote better than that in kindergarten."

"And you still managed to read what it said," I mutter under my breath before looking at the man beside him. My smile shifts to a more genuine one. "Hey. I'm Sierra."

"Sawyer." His dimpled grin is adorable. I shake his hand when he holds it out for me. "Sierra as in Sierra's Sweets?"

"The very same." I gesture at myself. Sawyer's eyes follow and there's no mistaking the appreciation in them. But it's flattering because he doesn't let his gaze linger too long and his face is full of kindness when he's looking at me again.

"If you're the baker here, then I definitely have to try your goods."

My lips twitch. Talk about a not-so-subtle innuendo. Holden is less than impressed, saying something under his breath in a harsh tone that makes Sawyer roll his eyes. But he does take a step back so Holden comes forward instead. I brace myself.

"Your note said you needed to give me something." Holden gets straight to the point. Works for me.

"Right." I grab the package containing the half-a-dozen cupcakes I prepared. I hold it out to him and force the words out. I have to admit, they severely trigger my gag reflex but I manage. "These are for you."

Holden's brow arches. "Why? What did you put in them?"

"Hey!" I scowl, immensely offended. "This is a peace offering, bud. On the house too. It wouldn't kill you to be nice about it."

"Sweet." Sawyer swoops in then and grabs one. He asks around a mouthful, "I can have this, right?"

"Considering it's in your mouth I won't exactly ask for it back."

Not that I could if I wanted. He already gobbled the whole damn thing and goes in for a second. I'm pretty sure he mumbles this is better than having my dick sucked but I can't be certain. I look back at Holden expectantly.

"Well?"

"What's the catch?" He eyes the remaining cupcakes like they're about to turn into serpents and bite his balls. Give me a break.

"No catch. Just a peace offering, like I said. There's no reason to be anything less than civil with each other, right? Our past is past. No hard feelings."

"You two knew each other?" Sawyer asks in obvious surprise. "Did you date?"

"No!" Holden and I snap at the same time. We look at each other, glaring, then quickly look away again. Holden makes a face that suggests he just ate shit. I can't be too far behind with the way I feel my face pulling in disgust. Satan and I, dating. There's a better chance of pigs flying.

"O-kay." Sawyer glances between us warily. "Clearly touched a nerve there. Damn, boss. And I thought you were an emotionless prick. Glad I joined you today."

"Boss?" I repeat. "He's your boss? Oh, you poor thing. Have another, honey."

Sawyer pouts and nods, grabbing another cupcake and making a big show of giving me puppy dog eyes. Holden's jaw ticks and that's when Sawyer snickers into his icing and heads for one of the tables. He takes a seat and calls out, "Ten fuh, Seeyehyah!"

"You're welcome!" I wave. Then I push the box toward Holden who still hasn't made a move to try a cupcake. "Just take it, dude. It's not that big of a deal."

He straightens out his cuff links and then his tie, lips pinched thin. It doesn't take a genius to figure out he's clearly having some kind of internal battle here. I'm about to stuff the damn box into his pants when he pockets his hands and stops fiddling. "No. I'm good."

I heard the words. Loud and clear. Saw his mouth move as he said them. And yet.

"You're good?" I repeat slowly, as if there's a slim chance I misheard him. No such luck.

"Yeah. I'm good." He pulls out a pair of sunglasses from one of his pockets and casually starts wiping them. Meanwhile I'm still gaping.

"Huh." My jaw works in an attempt to stop myself from going off like a rocket and saying some very un-lady like things. "Okay. Cool. You don't have to accept something you didn't ask for. Great. Could I just ask why?"

He continues wiping at his sunglasses even though they're as clean as they can freaking be. "Look. I'm just...not interested in making nice with you. Our past is past, like you said, and I don't like reminders of my past. So I'll see you around but we're not friends. Stop trying to be mine."

My mouth parts in shock when his words register. In my peripheral I can see the way Sawyer winces and slides a hand over his face like he can't watch this. But then his fingers separate and his eyes peek through, moving between the two of us raptly. Any other time I might be entertained but right now I'm trying to fight the wave of hurt swirling in my stomach and making me want to throw up.

Why did I bother? Why did I think Holden could change? He made it clear he didn't want me in his life almost two decades ago and that's still the case. I feel so stupid. And mortified. And angry. So, so angry.

Before I even realize I'm moving, my hand grabs a cupcake from the box and smashes it in Holden's face. All over his pretty little canvas that looked so goddamn arrogant moments ago. Now I can't see it because it's covered in pink icing but there's no mistaking the way his shoulders stiffen in shock.

"Holy shit!" Sawyer bursts out laughing. He falls off his chair from the force of his howls. clutching his stomach like he's in pain. It's absolutely dramatic but it makes me feel a ton better.

"Message received," I clip out and cross my arms. Holden reaches for a napkin and wipes the icing off his eyes. Those dark brown irises finally come into view and there's a storm brewing in them. I glare back. "You can eat my cupcake, Holden Rey. It's the last time you'll get anything from me."

"Jesus," Sawyer wheezes, coughing. "She said eat my cupcake. She burned you with a pun. Do you know how much talent that takes?"

I love him. I can feel my shoulders kick back with a touch of confidence, erasing any guilt over my impulsive and violent action. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises before I call security, sir. Please get out."

Holden bites the inside of his cheek and I would bet it's to stop himself from saying anything back. At least he has the decency to read the room. Without another glance he heads for the door and throws it open, walking away but standing tall. I see the way he gets curious looks and double-takes at his pink face but he doesn't falter. His confidence is so...so...annoying.

"Can I have the rest?" Sawyer points at the remaining two cupcakes when he walks over to me.

"Totally." I slide the box over to him. "You're not going to get in trouble with Holden, right?"

"Nah," He grins. It oozes charm and I melt a little. "Holden is an angry dude and super prickly but he takes care of his employees. He might give me shit for laughing at him but he'll always have my back."

Yet another stranger singing his praises. So I guess that means Holden is a super great guy to everyone except me. Awesome.

"Well...thank you for accepting the cupcakes."

"You sure you don't want me to pay? These are fucking amazing, girl. You should be selling out everyday."

"Really?" I perk up and he nods. "God, you just made my day. It's completely on the house. I hope you come back."

"Definitely," He winks and walks backwards to the door. "And whatever Holden said...he's a challenging guy but he's not a dick. So what he said was fucked but I'm pretty sure there's a reason for how he's acting, if it's any consolation."

It's not but I nod at him anyway, not wanting to argue. He's been nothing but nice to me. When he's gone, I sigh heavily and bury my face in my palms. Whoever said being the bigger person was rewarding couldn't be more wrong and I am never trying that again.

___________________________

A/N

And it starts to get spicyyyy. What do you think of Holden? Anyone who knows my books knows I love making my main guys assholes cause they're just more fun to write but Holden is like a mature asshole if that makes sense?

What about Sawyer? How are you liking him?

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)