Cass ignored Charlie’s questions. “Sarah Rosen is Makewell. The company trying to move in on us? The ones who are about to set up shop two doors down?”

“Oh . . . Oh. But she’s so young!” Charlie knew that was beside the point, but she couldn’t help but sound impressed.

“I know,” Cass huffed irritably. “She’s a wunderkind, apparently. Built an empire by the time she was twenty-five.”

“Huh,” Charlie replied. “Impressive. And also explains why she looked familiar.”

“Can we focus here, Charlie? I’m pretty sure I know why Sarah Rosen was here tonight, and it wasn’t because she suddenly had a craving for holiday cookies.”

Charlie bit the inside of her cheek. But how could she have possibly known that woman, Sarah, was the Sarah threatening the future of the Goodwin family’s bakery? “I’m sorry, Cass. I had no idea. She didn’t say anything about Makewell’s. I swear.”

“I don’t even know if it matters.” Cass sounded defeated. “This thing is probably past the point where we have any chance to stop it.”

“Again, I’m sorry. If I had had any idea—”

“It’s fine,” Cass snapped. “I’ll deal with Sarah. And the starter. Just like I always do when it comes to this family.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Now it was Charlie’s turn to cross her arms angrily, the twins facing off in front of the case of baked goods.

“You couldn’t wait to get out of here, Charlie. But did you ever think about what you were leaving behind? That you left me to figure this all out, to make sure our family’s legacy continued? Did you even think about me at all?”

Charlie was dumbstruck. Yes, she had skipped town the second she got accepted to culinary school, but Cass had never mentioned wanting to leave Starlight Peak. Or to do anything differently than what she was doing. “You never said anything, Cass! Besides, you were with Brett, and I thought you were happy here. Look, I know we have that mind-meld twin thing, but how was I supposed to know you didn’t want to stay if you didn’t tell me?”

“Would it have even mattered?” Cass sat down heavily at one of the tables and put her head in her hands. “Someone had to stay, Charlie.”

“Says who?” Charlie softened her voice, sitting down across from Cass. “I’m sorry I didn’t check in with you more often. I didn’t realize everything you were going through.”

Cass shook her head. “Honestly, I mostly wanted to stay. I do love it here. I’m good at running the bakery. But . . .”

Charlie touched her sister’s hands. “But what?”

“I didn’t know what else might be out there!” Cass had tears in her eyes. “I didn’t give myself permission to consider it. The bakery. Brett. My life was all wrapped up in a predictable bow and I didn’t even take a minute to think about whether it was what I really wanted.”