Page 239 of The Baby Bargain

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It's her entire life.

It's Charlotte's life.

I have to be sure.

Chapter Fifty

Chase

For the first time, Inked Love is booming. The remodeled shop is exactly as I pictured it.

Big open lobby. Bright pink desk. Flash art in fuchsia frames.

A softer, bigger, even more feminine version of Inked Hearts.

It shouldn't work, but it does. It's perfect. None of that typical shop snobbery. This space invites everyone.

And it's mine.

Until the end of the month, it's mine.

I'm handling the transition. Making sure Inked Love offers customers the full Inked Hearts experience.

But this task only has a few weeks left.

After that—

Fuck, I don't know.

Brendon pats me on the shoulder. He hands me a champagne flute. Holds his to toast. "You did it."

"We did it." I fight a blush. Clink my glass with his. This place is amazing. Perfect. New.

There's no baggage.

No memories of my brother's hurt stare.

Or my other brother'sget over yourselfeye rolls.

Or that ache in my gut when everyone slips into easy conversation.

Not that it's going to last.

Sure, this is a chance at a fresh start. At drawing that line between me and Hunter. Accepting my inability to forgive my family.

But—

Can I do that?

I want to look at this as a business move. A promotion. A chance for more responsibility.

But there's no denying it: I'm running away. Giving up. Throwing in the white towel.

I can't exist in limbo forever. I need to make up with Hunter or move on.

This is a good thing. A step forward.

So why does it feel like I'm about to step off a cliff?

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