Page 57 of Charm

Her intuition was rarely wrong. I shouldn’t have ignored the nagging feeling inside of me that was indeed a red flag warning.Marrying the guy I had dated throughout high school and college seemed like a solid move, but it turned out to be a horrible mistake.

Our divorce stole a lot from me, including my self-esteem for a time.

I feel stronger now than I ever have before. I’m more confident and committed to the decisions I make, but I’m hung up on what to do with Sweet Indulgence.

I walk down a path that leads to my favorite spot in the park. It’s one of the benches that are set under a row of trees. They directly face the Hudson River, so not only is the view spectacular, but it’s calming in a sense.

I always come here when I need to think.

It seems that many other New Yorkers share the same sentiment. It’s a bright and sunny afternoon, so I’m not surprised many people are sitting on the row of benches. Some are eating what is likely their lunch. Others are engrossed in conversation with the people next to them.

As I near the bench I’ve come to call my own, I notice a man sitting on it. He’s wearing a suit, and like many of the other people here, his focus is on the phone in his hands. He does have what looks to be a white stick poking out from between his lips.

I smile to myself because I know exactly what it is. This businessman is enjoying a lollipop.

Sitting next to a stranger has never bothered me before, so I walk up to the bench, fully expecting to take the empty spot next to him.

That’s the plan until he glances up and my breath catches.

Holden stares at me, his eyes widening as his gaze slides over my dress. He pulls a pink star-shaped lollipop out from between his lips. “Greer Irwin. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Holden

The shocked expressionon Greer’s face mirrors my own feelings. I didn’t think I’d see her today, or any day in the near future.

After I left Krista outside the coffee shop, I took a walk, then a ride on the subway. I ended up here because this park has always offered me a sense of peace.

I move to stand since Greer seems stuck in place.

“You followed me here,” she accuses with a finger pointed at my chest.

“I was here first,” I say evenly. “I got here thirty minutes ago.”

“He was here when I got here.” A gray-haired woman sitting on the bench next to us looks up from her knitting project. “He offered me a lollipop, but sugar is not my friend.”

Greer’s gaze drops to the Sweet Indulgence bag on the bench. “They’re actually all organic. They’re made from natural fruit juice. There’s no added sugar.”

“In that case.” The woman’s hand dives into the bag and comes out with a deep blue lollipop. “Look at this. It’s so pretty.”

A proud smile slides over Greer’s lips. “I think so, too.”

Her gaze drifts to my face, and I see a million questions there waiting to be asked, including one about why I’m carting a Sweet Indulgence bag filled with lollipops around with me.

“I stopped in the store earlier,” I explain. “I was hoping you had something in particular, but the guy behind the counter suggested the lollipops. I’m glad he did.”

“Burt,” she blurts out a name. “You’re talking about Burt.”

“Sure,” I agree. “He looked like a Burt.”

“What does a Burt look like?” The woman sitting next to us asks as she unwraps the lollipop.

“Tall, brown hair, handsome,” Greer says before I can get a word in.

“You think he’s handsome?” I ask, jealousy driving the question out of me.

“He is handsome,” she answers. “Everyone thinks Burt is handsome.”

---