Page 108 of Bid For Me
“Candy,” I say, my voice tight. “I’m working.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the boss too,” she shoots back, voice dripping with sarcasm. “So that means you can’t avoid me forever.”
I glance around at the few remaining customers in the shop, none of whom seem to notice the storm brewing.
“Let me finish up, and we can talk,” I mutter, trying to brush her off. But she’s not having it.
“No,” she snaps, stepping closer. “Now.”
She doesn’t give me a chance to protest before she’s ushering the last few customers out, flipping the sign to closed, and locking the door. Then she’s tugging me away from the counter, guiding me to the back office. I try to resist, but Candy’s strength is legendary, and honestly, I’m too tired to fight her on this.
She shuts the door behind us, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that makes me nervous. I know this look. I’veseen it before. It’s the one she gets when she’s about to deliver a dose of truth that I’m not sure I can handle.
I take a deep breath and cross my arms over my chest, preparing myself. “What’s so urgent?”
“You want urgent?” Candy growls, her voice low and dangerous. “I’ll give you urgent.”
She leans forward, putting her hands flat on the desk as she stares me down. “I talked to Seb. I told him everything. I told him exactly how much pain you’re in, how he’s fucked this all up, and how much you’re questioning everything.”
I flinch at the mention of his name. It feels like a fresh wound, one that’s still raw and bleeding. But I force myself to stay silent, even though every inch of me wants to scream.
“And you know what he said?” Candy continues, her voice soft but firm. “He said he was sorry. He said he was wrong. He’s been at ours all week, and he’s been a wreck, Elle. Do you even realise how much this is eating him alive?”
I hug myself tightly, the ache in my chest flaring. “What does it matter? It’s too late. He’s hurt me too much.”
Candy’s expression softens, but her gaze doesn’t waver. “It matters because he loves you. And because you love him. And because he wasn’t the one who hurt you. Not really.”
Her words hit me like a physical blow, and I stumble back a step, shaking my head. “Don’t. Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” she challenges. “Because it’s true? Because you don’t want to admit that despite everything, you’re still in love with him? That’s why you’re so angry, Elle. You don’t hurt this much over someone you don’t care about.”
Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink rapidly, trying to hold them back. “I can’t do this, Candy. I can’t keep putting myself out there, only to get crushed again. I gave him everything, and he—” My voice cracks, and I press a hand to my mouth, choking on a sob.
Candy steps closer, her voice gentler now. “Elle, I know you’re scared. I know he’s made mistakes – big ones. But he’s trying to make it right. And you’ve seen him, you know he’s not like his father. He’s not playing games with you.”
I shrug my shoulders, tears streaming down my face. “But what if he is? What if this is just another way for him to control me? I don’t know how to trust him anymore.”
Candy reaches out, gripping my shoulders firmly. “Listen to me. Seb’s not perfect, but he’snotAlexander. He’s a man who’s spent his entire life being manipulated and controlled by that monster, and you’re the first person who’s ever made him want to break free from that. He’s terrified, Elle. He’s terrified of losing you because he knows you’re the only real thing in his life. He fucking loves you so damn much, and if you ask me, he’s as much a victim here as you are. You were both manipulated and played by his father, but he hasyearsof trauma to work through.”
I let out a shaky breath, her words hitting me hard. “I don’t know if love’s enough. It isn’t supposed to hurt like this.”
Candy nods, her eyes glistening. “You’re right. It’s not. But real love – the kind that changes you, the kind that’s worth fighting for – it’s messy and painful and scary as hell. And you have that with Seb. You both just need to stop being so goddamn stubborn and let each other in. Because right now it’s not the love that’s hurting you, it’s the fear.”
I close my eyes, her words swirling around in my head. Deep down, I know she’s right. I do love him. And that’s what makes all of this so terrifying. Because loving him means risking everything, and I’m not sure I have the strength to do that again.
“What if I let him in, and it all falls apart?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
Candy squeezes my shoulders, her expression fierce. “Then you’ll survive, just like you always do. But Elle, what if it doesn’t?What if this is your chance at something real, something that lasts? Are you really going to let fear stop you from finding out?”
I don’t answer. I can’t. Because the truth is, I don’t know what I’m going to do. All I know is that the walls I’ve built around myself are starting to crumble, and I don’t know if I can hold them up any longer.
Candy pulls me into a hug, her arms strong and comforting. “Just think about it, okay? Don’t let your fear make the decision for you.”
I nod against her shoulder, the tears still falling. Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop running and start fighting for what I really want.
The question is, do I have the courage to take that leap?
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO