The crisp morning air carried the promise of change as I walked toward Sweet Indulgence. Thoughts of last night's dinner lingered in my mind—the easy laughter, the subtle glances, the way both Shawn and Tyler seemed to open new doors within me. It was unsettling and exhilarating all at once.
As I turned the key to unlock the café, I noticed a small package resting against the door. It was wrapped neatly in kraft paper, tied with twine, and bore no sender's name—just my own, scrawled in elegant handwriting. I glanced up and down the street, but it was empty, save for the occasional car passing by.
Curiosity got the better of me. Once inside, I set the package on the counter and carefully untied the twine. Inside was a book—an old, weathered journal with a cracked leather cover. Tucked between its pages was a single white card, embossed with the name Tyler Sinclair and a simple note:
"For the stories you have yet to tell."
I ran my fingers over the journal's rough edges, feeling both touched and perplexed. Why had Tyler left this for me? Did he mean it as encouragement for my baking, or was there a deeper message hidden within the gift?
The morning rush soon demanded my attention, and I pushed thoughts of Tyler and his enigmatic gift to the back of my mind. Customers came and went, their laughter and conversation filling the space. But as the hours passed, I found myself glancing at the journal, its presence both comforting and unsettling.
By mid-afternoon, Elise breezed in, her energy as infectious as ever. She plopped down at the counter, grinning. "So, how was dinner with your two admirers?" she teased.
"Admirers?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You're imagining things."
"Oh, please." She waved a hand dismissively. "I've seen the way they look at you—like you're the only thing that matters. And don't even try to deny you feel something for them."
I sighed, leaning against the counter. "It's complicated, Elise. Tyler's... intense, and Shawn's so warm and steady. I don't even know what I'm feeling, let alone what they want."
Elise tilted her head, her expression softening. "Maybe you don't have to figure it out right away. Just... let things happen. You've been through enough, Ann. Maybe it's time to let someone in."
Her words struck a chord, but before I could respond, the door chimed again. Shawn walked in, his smile as bright as the sunlight streaming through the windows.
"Ann," he greets warmly. "Do you have a minute?"
"Of course," I said, stepping out from behind the counter. Elise gave me a sly grin before retreating to a table, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.
Shawn led me to a quieter corner of the café, his expression unusually serious. "I've been meaning to ask—would you like to open another cafe inside of my hospital?
The question caught me off guard. "Another café? In your hospital?"
Shawn nodded, his expression earnest. "It's just an idea for now, but I think it could be wonderful. Your café is more than just a place for coffee and pastries—it's a refuge. I've seen the way it touches people, Ann. A place like Sweet Indulgence could bring that same warmth to the hospital, for patients, staff, and visitors."
I blink, taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. The thought of expanding Sweet Indulgence had crossed my mind before, but I had always dismissed it as unrealistic. Now, with Shawn looking at me like this—hopeful, encouraging—I couldn't help but feel the tug of possibility.
"I don't know," I said hesitantly. "It's a big step."
Shawn smiled, his tone gentle but persuasive. "You don't have to decide right away. Just think about it. And if it's something you want to explore, I'll be there to support you every step of the way."
Before I could respond, the door chimed again, and in walked Tyler, his presence commanding as ever. He paused, his gaze flicking between Shawn and me, before striding over with a faint smile.
"Am I interrupting something?" Tyler asked, his tone casual but with an edge of curiosity.
"Not at all," Shawn replied smoothly, rising to his feet. "I was just pitching an idea to Ann."
Tyler raised an eyebrow, glancing at me. "An idea, huh? Well, I've got one too." He turned to me, his gaze steady. "How would you feel about partnering with Sinclair Corporation?"
I stared at him, caught completely off guard. "Partnering? For what?"
"To expand Sweet Indulgence," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We could set up additional locations in our corporate offices and properties. There's a growing demand for places that offer a sense of comfort and quality—exactly what you've created here."
My head spun. Two proposals in the span of minutes? It was almost too much to process.
"Ty," Shawn said, his tone light but laced with amusement, "you do realise you're suggesting almost the same thing I just did, right?"
Tyler frowned, his brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"
"She's already been asked to open another Sweet Indulgence," Shawn explained, his grin widening. "In my hospital."
For a moment, Tyler's serious demeanour cracked, and a dry chuckle escaped him. "You're kidding."
"Nope," Shawn replied, clearly enjoying the situation.
I looked between the two of them, bewildered as their shared amusement grew. Tyler shook his head, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, I suppose great minds think alike."
Shawn laughed, leaning back against the counter. "Or maybe we both just know how incredible Ann's café is."
Their easy banter was unexpected, and I couldn't help but smile, despite the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. "You two are unbelievable," I said, shaking my head.
"Maybe," Shawn admitted with a wink. "But you've got two solid offers on the table, Ann. The choice is yours."
Tyler's expression sobered slightly as he added, "Think it over. No pressure."
As they continued to exchange playful jabs, I couldn't help but feel the weight of their words. Both offers were tempting in their own ways, but the decision felt daunting. Sweet Indulgence was my sanctuary, my labour of love. Could I take the leap into something bigger without losing what made it special?
For now, I set those thoughts aside, letting their laughter and camaraderie fill the room. Whatever choice I made, I knew this was just the beginning of a new chapter—not just for Sweet Indulgence, but for me as well.