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If he weren’t so pissed and so panicked, he would have noticed the awful pain in his chest where his heart was supposed to be.
He started the truck, leaving Charlotte behind.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Is she okay?” she was yelling.
Tripp rolled down his window, everything inside him screaming to hurt her before she hurt him more than she already had. “Don’t concern yourself. You’re not her mother, and it’s my fault for letting you believe you ever could be.”
With that, he skidded out of the drive away, leaving her in the dust.
Charlotte wiped a hand over her eyes and packed her bags as fast as she could.
“What’s going on in here?” Grammy said, her walking cast making a thunking sound on the bedroom floor. Princess Peanut Butter trotted in behind her, her ears on alert.
“I’m leaving. I’m sorry, Grammy. I have to go now.” She felt hysterical and didn’t know what to do. What if she really hurt Gracie?
God, she couldn’t bear it.
“Hang on now,” her grandmother said calmly, and tugged Charlotte to sit down on the bed. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Princess immediately shoved her way between them and put her big head on Charlotte’s lap. Charlotte couldn’t help the tremor in her voice. “I didn’t know Gracie was allergic to pralines. I…I gave her ice cream. I’m so worried. I want to go to the hospital, but Tripp hates me. He’d never let me near her. I just want to know she’s okay.” The words, the fear, the guilt…it all started spilling out and she couldn’t gather her composure.
“Oh, honey, Gracie will be just fine. She had pralines when she was a baby. One of my cookies, actually. Her lip swelled just a little and that’s it. The doctor said she had a mild allergy.”
“Really?” Charlotte asked, cool relief washing over her. “She’ll be okay?”
Grammy patted her knee. “Of course she will.”
But Tripp had been so angry. So worried, and rightfully so.
“I would never hurt Gracie. I didn’t know she had an allergy.”
“Of course you didn’t,” Grammy assured her. “And Tripp knows that. I’m sure he’s just worried and overreacted as he always does when it comes to Gracie, but everything will be fine.”
Charlotte shook her head. “I don’t think it will.”
Grammy just cupped her cheek. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“I’m not mother material. I can’t be with Tripp or Gracie. It’s better that I go.”
“That’s not true. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure Tripp thinks you’re wonderful.”
“Tripp is the one who told me so.”
Grammy was quiet. Dead quiet. Just like Charlotte’s soul. Nothing could change the fact that Tripp had just made it clear Charlotte would never be more to him or to Gracie. That hesitation she was hoping for? That glimmer of more from him? Gone. She had her answer. Knew there was nothing for her here. She had Grammy and she’d visit, but she didn’t belong there. And Tripp sure as hell didn’t want her.
Her heart couldn’t take one more person she loved not wanting her.
“Oh God…” she whispered. “I love him.”
Grammy gave her a hug. “I know, honey.”
“I’m sorry, Gram. I can’t stay here.”
Her gram nodded. And all Charlotte could do was hug her and Princess Peanut Butter and try like hell not to the let massive hole in her heart split open any further.
Chapter Thirteen
Three days.
