“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Because you both have abandonment issues, that’s why. You’re afraid of intimacy. That’s why Hank’s relationships never last. He doesn’t feel like he’s deserving of a woman’s love or support, so he finds a way to sabotage his relationships. You’re both running scared and probably will be for the rest of your lives. This isn’t complicated.”
Connor mumbled something, but Hank couldn’t hear it. His brother must have been farther from the entrance than Elizabeth, who responded.
“You’re lucky you’ve had Hank to lean on, but outside of his dog, Hank’s had no one since his mom died. He’s afraid of love and commitment and all those things that come with a real relationship. The only way he knows how to show love is by footing the bill. That’s why he’s paying for your education. Trust me, he’s not in love with Bethany Parker. He wouldn’t know how to be.”
And every word she spoke rang true, Hank realized, except for one.
“I failed, Travis,”Bethany said.
She’d sat him down at one of the tables at the close of the business day and confessed the ugly truth and shared the official-looking email she’d received earlier in the day from Fresh & Easy. “We’ve been disqualified from the contest. Desmond used Grandma Lou’s recipe on his TV show, so they rejected our entry. I’m sorry, Travis. I’ve called Fresh & Easy to try and explain, but they’re asking for definitive proof that Desmond stole the recipe, and I don’t have it.”
“What sort of proof would they need?”
“Someone who would have eaten the cake in our grandparents’ day, more than one customer who remembers seeing the recipe, a written confession from Desmond himself. I tried to talk to Desmond, but he won’t take my phone calls. I’ve interviewed everyone who’s come in today, but no one remembers seeing the recipe or eating it back in the day. I even called a lawyer to see if they’d take this onpro bono, but they told me we don’t have a case. I don’t know what else to do. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Travis said, patting her arm. “It’s Desmond’s. He’s a horrible scum of a human being.” He pushed his chair from the table and stood, his hands clenched into fists at his side.
Alarm shot through Bethany, stealing her breath. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To kill him. I’m going to find the weasel and squeeze his neck with my bare hands. Then maybe he’ll think twice about stealing from anyone ever again.” Travis turned and headed toward the door.
She stood up so fast her chair almost toppled over. “Travis Parker, stop this instant. It’s too late. They’ve already disqualified our entry. We have to come up with proof in the next day or so, or we’re done. Getting in a fight with Desmond will only make it worse.”
He turned. “I don’t see how it will make it worse. It will sure make me feel better.”
“What we need from Desmond is a sworn confession. Beating him up will make it look like we’re in the wrong. I don’t want you hauled off to jail. That won’t help us with the contest.”
Travis considered her logic for a moment and, with a gusty sigh, returned to the table. “There’s really nothing we can do?”
“Short of a miracle, no. My only consolation is knowing Grandma Lou’s recipewasgood enough to win.”
“You’re darn right there. That’s why Desmond stole it.” Travis patted her shoulder. “So this is it, then? We’ll need to close Grandma Lou’s before the end of the month?”
Bethany sighed and rubbed her eyes. “If we don’t figure out some way of redeeming our reputation andwinning the contest in the next couple of days, yeah, it’s over. They’ll select a new winner. We’ll have to be out by the end of the month.”
“Have you reconsidered talking to Hank? Maybe he’d give us an extension on the rent?”
Bethany shook her head. “No, and I don’t intend to. Even if Hank agreed to waive next month’s rent, we’d still have to close. The sad truth is that even with the boost in sales since Hank’s been in Grandma Lou’s, we just aren’t making enough money to stay open.”
“It’s okay, Bethany. I’m getting my diploma after next semester. I’ll be able to find a job that pays well. Perfect timing. We’ll get by. I know we will. We’ll do it like we’ve done everything else...together.”
“That’s right.” Bethany smiled and gave her brother a hug. “I can’t do it without you. You truly are the best brother ever.”
“Don’t you forget it.”
“Never.”
Despite the loss of their livelihood, she still had Travis. Together, they would find a way to survive. Maybe they would carve a new life out for themselves.
Hank movedtoward the entrance of the great room, his limbs shaking. Everything Elizabeth said about him was true—he was afraid of intimacy, he loved his career, he was thrilled to land the role of his dreams, he didn’t know how to love. Except she was wrong about one thing.
He did love Bethany Parker.
My God, Connor was right. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, was miserable without her. He had loved her themoment he’d spied her, eyes closed, savoring a bite of chocolate cake. How had he ever thought himself immune?
Hank leaned against the wall to steady himself. He hadn’t thought he could fall in love because he had believed what Elizabeth said about him. He had believed he was undeserving. That he was like his dad—selfish, egotistical, incapable of loving another. Unable to remain faithful. Unable to be a good father. Although his dad seemed to be making an effort, there was no guarantee the changes were permanent.
He forced a breath and stepped into the room, his gaze taking in Elizabeth, who relaxed on the couch, her long legs encased in skinny jeans, and Connor, who stood with his arms crossed in front of the bay window, his face creased in frustration. A wave of adrenaline shot through Hank like he’d stepped in front of a camera and was about to give the performance of his career. Except this was no studio. This was his home. And his next lines were unrehearsed.
