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“Don’t make me hurt you.” She gripped my shoulder tight. “Grayson will be pissed as hell, but I’ll do it if you don’t let go of her.”
I let go of Zoey’s arm and stared at her. “Why? Just answer me that.”
“You can’t trust me, so how can you trust I’ll make the right business decisions? I can’t run a business knowing my investor doesn’t trust me. Now, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. You’re free of me forever.” She walked away and out of the bakery.
“What is going on?” Stefan walked in. “I just saw Zoey speed out of here.”
“My dork of a brother-in-law hurt her, and it’s taking everything I have not to punch him in his pretty little face right now.”
“Oh, hey, Kate.” Stefan smiled. “What happened?” He looked at me.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I walked out of the bakery, climbed into my car, and drove home.
CHAPTER 27
Carter
The first thing I did when I got home was pour myself a scotch, down it, and poured another. I never would have expected her to do what she did. There was a knock at the door. Sighing, I opened it only to see my Aunt Barb standing there.
“What on earth is going on?” She pushed past me.
“Aunt Barb, now isn’t?—”
“I don’t give a fuck,” she snapped. “I was next door at Mojo Madness when I saw Zoey run to her car and peel out of the parking lot. Then I saw you do the same thing. I went over to the bakery, and Kate told me what happened.”
“She gave me a reason not to trust her, and after we discussed it, she went to the bank, took out a business loan, and returned my investment.”
“I see. Why does it bother you so much since you don’t trust her anyway?”
“It just does.” I walked over and poured another scotch.
“Did she cheat on you?”
“No.” I brought the glass to my lips.
“Did she steal from you?”
“No.”
“Then what did she do? Because as far as I’m concerned, those are the only two things where mistrust is warranted.”
“She told the girls something she promised me she wouldn’t.”
“Did it hurt anyone?” she asked.
“No, but that’s not the point, Aunt Barb. The point is I trusted her not to tell anyone, yet she did. If she couldn’t even keep her word about that, there’s no way I can trust her with anything else.”
“Then I guess it’s good that she cut ties with you regarding the bakery. You should be happy. But instead, you’re standing there throwing back alcohol, trying to soothe the pain and heartache because you know damn well you have no ties to her anymore.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t trust women. I’ve been burned before.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Carter Kind.” She pointed at me. “If anyone knows what it’s like not to trust, it’s me. I’ve been through the wringer with men over the years, starting with your Uncle Henry. It wasn’t until I found Curtis that I learned to trust again.”
“But you left him for my father?” My brows furrowed.
“That had nothing to do with my trust. It had to do with the demons I battled inside myself. Maybe you should talk to Charlotte. She can help you with the demons you’re carrying inside you.” She walked over and placed her hand on my cheek. “I love you, Carter, and consider you one of my sons. So, I’m telling you this for your own good. Man the fuck up, express your feelings and live the second chance of life you were given to its full potential. Some people aren’t so lucky to be given a second chance.” She patted my cheek and walked out the front door.
I was sitting on the couch when the sliding door opened, and Grayson and Ava walked in.
