Gilded Rose: A Later In Life instalove romance by TB Mann

Author:TB Mann [Mann, TB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heart Sisters Publishing Inc
Published: 2024-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

6

Rose

My mouth is moving, telling Levi about how some major conglomerate is pressing me to sell while my brain rebels, wondering why I’m sharing personal issues with a man I just met. But nothing about this has been normal. I don’t accept dates and never from strangers. Nor did I ever feel this comfortable with someone so soon. Trust is hard for me. I trusted my ex for far too long. I trusted my parents with their input into my life. I trusted my girlfriends. And none of those situations worked out. My parents steered me away from the career I wanted and into the arms of a man who abused me emotionally. My girlfriends chose to betray our friendships by sleeping with my ex, all while pretending to be shocked when I told them I was sure he was cheating on me. And my ex, well, he needs no explanation as why he ruined my trust in men and in myself.

So, definitely not a normal situation.

“But didn’t you say that the money you received, from the divorce, you purchased the business? Unless you have other loans, tell the conglomerate it’s not for sale.”

I chew on the inside of my bottom lip as I wonder how to explain that they have me over a barrel. How they know, I haven’t got a clue, but they do and they’re using it to their advantage. The main portion of the shop brings in a little profit, but kitchen renovations to allow for the prepared meals cost more than I had. Then the small coffee farm co-operative supplier was under threat from developers. I couldn’t stand by and watch all their family lives be destroyed so I invested in them. But none of the banks I approached would help me. I didn’t have any credit to my name thanks to my ex and my business was too new for them to fully consider the profit when they made their determination. With no other choice, I went to a business colleague of my ex’s who’d always spoke to me like a person. He loaned me the money; I just didn’t know it came with strings.

I open and close my mouth repeatedly before reaching for my newly refilled glass. Swallowing a large mouthful, I pray the words come. From his skilled questioning and his own comments, I know he’s good with business. He might be able to help, but at the same time, revealing my naivety and foolishness to him scares me. For years my ex belittled me, telling me I was stupid, that I couldn’t do anything. This business was to be my vindication, my way of proving him wrong. Yet all it’s done is prove him right. I should have known that the money would come with strings. Anyone would.

He squeezes my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. When I don’t look up, he reaches across the table, and using the side of his finger, he lifts my chin until I’m staring him in the eye.

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