to determine the intentions of the parties.'" Financial Services of Raleigh, Inc. v. Barefoot (2004), 163 N.C.App. 387, 594 S.E.2d 37, 42, quoting Piedmont Bank & Trust Co. v. Stevenson (1986), 79 N.C.App. 236, 240, 339 S.E.2d 49, (internal citations omitted), affirmed per curiam, 317 N.C. 330, 344 S.E.2d 788; see, als