Page 10 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

“It’s exactly what I have. I swear that’s all this is, my little lovie.” I could tell Mom was working hard to dispel the rasp in her voice. She almost sounded like her normal healthy self.

“Okay, Mimi. I love you.”

“Love you, Mom.” I hung up fast, hoping to beat Mom’s next coughing fit.

I gave my daughter a side hug. “Ready to party?”

She smiled. “Yup.”

We walked to the bakery entrance. Orange and black lights twinkled around the large window and doorway while Halloween inflatables surrounded the walkway. Inside, the spider and bat decorations glowed on the walls, along with more lights interspersed throughout. Most of the small tables were missing from the center of the room to make space for the activities.

I stiffened my spine. While I wasn’t looking forward to interacting with Grayson and Wren, tonight wasn’t about me. This was Zoey’s first Halloween without her mother, and I wanted to ensure she had a great time.

A little hand reached for mine once. “Daddy, are you okay?” Her eyes rounded, worry glimmering in their depths.

I relaxed my shoulders and forced a smile to my face. “Of course. Bruno’s a pretty chill guy, right?” I swiped my hand in front of me, highlighting my Encanto costume.

She giggled. “Not really.”

As we crossed the parking lot to the bakery door, I tapped her nose. “I guess I need to act more anxious. And collect more rats.” I pointed to the very realistic look alike sitting on my shoulder.

She gave me a fake shudder and laughed as I pulled open the door. Loud voices immediately bombarded us, the squeals of children overtaking everything else. I’d forgotten how loud a small crowd of children could be. I immediately thought about the sleepover I’d agreed to and wondered how big of a mistake I was making.

“Uncle Grayson!” Zoey beelined for him and jumped into his open arms.

He looked over at me, a pained expression pinched his forehead into deep grooves, which only highlighted the bushy fur surrounding his head and face. What the hell was he dressed as?

I lifted my chin in greeting.

Our eyes connected in silent communication—his pleading with me to forgive him. Mine, I was pretty sure, conveyed that I wasn’t ready.

He sighed before turning his focus to Zoey. “I think you grew six inches since I saw you last week.”

“I did not.” She peered around the side of him. “Where’s Ruby?”

“Probably in the back bringing out more desserts. Want to go see her?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Yeah, but um, before we do…” Zoey hesitated. “Would she be okay with me calling her Auntie?”

“I think you’d make her day, peanut butter.”

She laughed and gave her canned response. “Then let’s go ask her, jelly.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that crossed my face. Ever since my daughter was little, my friend had called her Peanut. One day he slipped and said peanut butter. It had stuck, and they still used it from time to time.

Grayson saw Zoey every weekend I’d had her while we lived in New York. I was grateful when he agreed to return to Rhode Island to open another branch of our company. He was like a brother, not just a friend. Our friendship had been unwavering since we were five. Yet I couldn’t break through the block inside me to forgive him. The pain of his betrayal was wedged deep within my psyche.

I shook my head. Now was no time to dissect my feelings or the reasons behind them. Zoey was here for Halloween fun, and what my kiddo wanted, she got.

“Ms. Winter! Ruby!” Zoey called out as Ruby and Wren came out of the back kitchen. She ran over to the counter that separated the bakery from the kitchen area. Her fingers gripped the white formica as she bounced up and down on her toes.

Grayson followed closely behind.

Ruby’s smile grew wide when she saw Zoey and she pushed the red cloaked hood away from her honey-brown hair. “Hi, Zoey. Want a mini apple bundt cake? They’re fresh from the oven.”

Grayson rubbed his stomach, his gaze meeting Ruby’s. “You know I’d never turn one down.”

Ah, I looked between the two of them. Ruby was clearly dressed as Red Riding Hood so Grayson must be the Big Bad Wolf.

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