Page 106 of Charm

I walkby Sweet Indulgence even though it’s shuttered for the night. Jameson and I parted ways at the edge of the park when he hopped into a taxi.

He offered to have the driver drop me at my apartment building first, but I needed fresh air and time to think.

The conversation I’ll have with Greer will be the most important one of my life.

She has dedicated herself to making sure my daughter has had the best life possible. That only makes me love her more.

Love.

I was falling head over heels for Greer before tonight. Now, all I feel is wonder, awe, and gratitude.

I stop directly in front of her shop and press the button to initiate a call to her.

She answers on the second ring. “Hey, Holden. Hi.”

“Hi,” I say back, smiling like a kid in a candy store. I laugh lightly when I realize I am indeed in front of a candy store. “I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch.”

“Was it a licorice emergency?” I can hear the grin in her voice. “Or was it a caramel catastrophe?”

“Let’s hope I avoid both for the foreseeable future.”

“You and me both,” she says, her voice bright and breezy. “Speaking of which, I’m meeting with a potential new partner tomorrow. I think this may be the one.”

I’m too overwrought with emotion to ask many questions, so I ask the only one that matters to me right now. “Can you meet with me tomorrow, too?”

“Meet as in a coffee or meet as in more than a coffee?”

I’d give anything to be in a bed with her right now, but I can’t go forward with what’s building between us until we talk about Olive. “Let’s start with a coffee.”

I’m just about to tell her that I want us to drink that coffee at my apartment, but I hear rustling on her end.

“Olive had a nightmare,” she says in almost a whisper. “I need to go take care of her.”

I close my eyes and take a breath deep enough to fill my lungs with air. “Text me tomorrow to let me know what time works.”

“I will.”

“Oh, and Greer,” I begin, hoping I’m catching her before she ends the call. “Tell Olive I love the bracelet.”

“That will make her happy.” She sighs. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Holden.”

The call ends, and I stare at my phone. I’d trade my entire fortune for the opportunity to comfort Olive after she’s had a nightmare.

All I can hope for at this point is that I get the chance to do just that soon.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

Greer

I adjustthe collar of my blouse before I step into Palla on Fifth. The café is one of the nicest in the city. I don’t stop here often because it’s out of my way and the price of a coffee is almost double what I pay near my store.

It’s worth every last drop, though. I don’t know how they prepare it or where they source their beans, but it’s a true treat.

I spot the man I’m meeting as soon as I’m inside. His arm leaps into the air to wave me over.

Rocco Jones reached out to me yesterday after his wife stopped into Sweet Indulgence to pick up some candy for their son. Dexie Jones made an off-handed comment about how her husband should have invested in a candy store because she loves sweet treats so much. I took a shot and told her that I was actually looking for a new partner.

Twenty minutes later, Dexie left Sweet Indulgence with a bag of candy and a smile on her face. She called her husband while she was with me to tell him about my business. When sheswitched the call to speakerphone, I was greeted with the voice of what I could tell was a kind man.

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