Page 37 of Charm

“He is.” Jameson motions toward an open door at the end of the corridor. “We’re meeting in there. I should warn you that the view is stunning. Most people who enter the room for the first time are awestruck by it.”

I’ve seen New York City from every angle over the past thirty-two years. I’m wild about my beloved city, but it would take a view unlike anything I’ve ever seen to leave me awestruck.

Jameson steps aside to let Krista enter first. She doesn’t make a sound.

I’m right on her heel, but my arrival is punctuated by an uncontrollable gasp leaving me.

It has nothing to do with the skyline of Manhattan that’s visible through the bank of windows behind the large table.

It has everything to do with the man at the head of that table who is pushing to stand.

With a shocked expression on his face that has to mirror my own, Joe Campbell greets me with a curt nod.

“Well, hello there,” he says in that deeply delicious voice of his. “I’m Holden Sheppard. It’s nice to meet you.”

I stare at him,completely confused about what the hell is happening.

“What did you say your name was?” I blurt out.

He rounds the table to approach me. I instinctively take a step back. I want to run out of here, but I don’t think my feet can make it. That single step took all of the might I have at the moment.

Joe walks toward me with steady steps. He looks so different dressed in a tailored three-piece suit and an expensive tie. His hair is slightly longer than it was in East Hampton. The glasses framing his face are the same as the ones he was wearing the last time I saw him.

I know it’s him. It has to be him, yet he called himself Holden.

As soon as he’s close enough to reach me, he extends a hand. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Holden Sheppard. I’m the CEO of Carden Confectionaries.”

“Son of a bitch,” I mutter silently.

I know no one hears me because Krista drowned out my words with her own. “I’m Krista Bellard.”

Her hand lands in his for a hearty shake.

Joe’s gaze drops to it. He offers her a weak smile, all whilekeeping his blue-eyed gaze locked on my face.

As soon as he’s able to tug his hand free, he pushes it toward me. “You must be Greer.”

“She is.” Krista nudges my arm, signaling she wants me to shake Joe’s hand. “Greer Irwin.”

“Greer Irwin,” he repeats, still holding out his hand.

I finally reach to touch it, but the shake is so brief that it garners me another nudge from Krista. “Greer,” she admonishes in a low tone. “You promised you’d be polite.”

I promised no such thing because I am always polite. Well, normally I am, but I’m standing less than a foot away from a man who fucked me into bliss just six weeks ago.

Now, he’s attempting to buy my company.

“Let’s sit,” Jameson suggests, motioning to the large conference table. “That’s Sasha Cardinal. She’s part of our legal team, and the handsome guy to our right is Marc. He’s one of Carden’s hidden treasures.”

The room erupts in laughter, but Joe doesn’t crack a smile.

I don’t either. I can’t since a million thoughts are running through my mind.

Did he know who I was in East Hampton? Was he already planning on buying out my company back then?

Krista tugs on my hand, so I follow her toward the table. As I do, I brush right past Joe.

I sit down in the first available chair. It just so happens to be at the head of the table as far away from Sasha and Marc as I can get. I grabbed this chair for two simple reasons. It’s closest to the door, and I assume it’s going to be farthest from where Joe will be sitting… or Holden. Whatever the hell his name is.

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