Page 54 of Charm

“I like your pretty dress, Mom.” Olive points at the pale green sundress I’m wearing. “You look like a fairytale princess today.”

Smiling, I push my hair back over my shoulders. “I’m glad you think so.”

“You’re beautiful!” she shrieks. “So is Grandma. So am I.”

“Carry that confidence with you always.” Martha pats Olive’s shoulders after clasping the chain holding the charm around her neck. “If you do that, no one can stop you.”

“No one can stop me from eating my waffle.” Olive jumps up and down. “Will you put extra strawberries on mine, Grandma?”

Tears well in my eyes as I watch them interact with each other.

Martha kisses the top of Olive’s head. “Consider it done, my girl.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Holden

I strollinto Sweet Indulgence still wearing the same suit I was yesterday. Last night was one for the ages. Seeing Declan holding his newborn son is a memory that will stay with me until the day I die.

I watched one of my oldest friends stare at the face of the little boy who will change his life forever.

I glance around, noting that the brown-haired guy working the counter is wearing a blue button-down shirt and not a branded Sweet Indulgence T-shirt.

I can’t help but wonder who he is.

He glances up and smiles. “Hey there. Do you need a hand finding something?”

“Someone,” I say cautiously.

I know damn well that Greer told me she’d be in touch when she was ready, but I had a foolproof plan to get some face time with her today. Although my foolproof plan is proving to be full of holes since she doesn’t seem to be around.

“Who?” he asks.

“The owner,” I blurt out without clarifying which owner.

“The co-owners aren’t here,” he subtly points out the fact that two people do indeed own this operation. “Can I help you with something?”

“You can tell me when you expect Greer Irwin to get here.”

His eyes narrow. “Are you a friend of hers?”

More like a frenemy that she enjoyed fucking, but none of that is knowledge this guy needs.

“Something like that,” I answer evasively. “Do you know where I can find her?”

“I do, but I won’t tell you.” He chuckles. “No offence, dude, but you could be a stalker or something. I’m not going to give out her location just so you can go harass her.”

“I’m not going to harass her,” I say in an even tone. “I’d like to speak with her.”

“You should come back tomorrow,” he suggests. “Maybe in the afternoon.”

That’s not helpful at all, but it’s obvious that in addition to working the counter, this guy views himself as Greer’s private security detail.

I wish to fuck I had asked for her number the last time I saw her. Who am I kidding? There’s a damn good chance she would have refused to share it.

There is another way for me to get it, but it requires going behind her back. I could ask Jameson to contact Krista to get Greer’s number. The problem with that is I doubt like hell Greer will appreciate it.

“I’ll come back,” I say.

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