“I’d like to be at the forefront of things,” Pedro announces. “I’ll run Sugar.”

“What’s this about you running my bakery?” Seu Romário’s voice booms behind us.

And my heart skips a beat. I wasn’t sure he’d come.

We turn around to look at him. Even though he helped us end the fight between our mothers at the hospital, I realize his relationship with Pedro remains strained. These two still haven’t talked.

Pedro glances from me to his grandfather nervously. I’m still holding his hand, so I tap a finger on the back to encourage him. He taps mine in response. It’s time to be honest with Seu Romário. To tell him how he feels, just like Grandma used to urge me to be honest with Mom.

“It would be an honor, if you’d still like me to run it one day, Grandpa,” Pedro says, and adds quickly, “I wouldn’t want to make you feel like I’m going about things in any way that displeases you. I respect your kitchen and I’m grateful for everything you’ve taught me.”

Seu Romário squints at him. “Will you change my whole menu?”

“I’ll respect your boundaries, but if you let me at least introduce a few new things...” Pedro hesitates. “I mean, if you don’t want me to change anything, that’s okay.”

Pedro is shrinking again.

“Why are these new dishes so important to you?” Seu Romário asks, but for the first time, he doesn’t sound defensive. He’s giving Pedro a chance to explain. Like he’s trying to understand his grandson.

I see the surprise in Pedro’s eyes. “I wanted you to see that I can bake,” Pedro says eagerly. “I—I know it sounds like I’m just trying to change everything you’ve done for Sugar, but I’ve always wondered if, you know—if I had what it takes to make you—” Pedro clears his throat. “Proud. Of me.”

He lowers his gaze, while Seu Romário just stares at him.

“Peu, I didn’t think you wanted to run Sugar,” Dona Eulalia says, remorseful.

Pedro turns to his mother. “It’s my home,” he says. “I never meant to leave.”

Mom finally manages to pull me aside. “I thought there were no more lies between us,” she whispers. “And yet you didn’t tell me you were entering this contest. And now you’re with this boy, too?”

“This is the whole truth,” I say. “And I know you think we should close Salt, but I want to stay. Let me run it when high school is over.”