Page 58 of Charm

“I don’t,” I snap.

The woman now sucking on the lollipop turns her entire body to face us. “Oh, a lover’s quarrel. This should be good.”

Greer shakes her head. “We’re not lovers.”

“We were,” I remind her. “One of us wants to be again.”

“Is it you?” The woman next to us points at Greer. “If it is, I can’t say I blame you.”

Greer stifles a laugh. “It’s him.”

“Oh, dear, do it.” The woman sighs. “Or do him. Either way, I don’t think Burt has anything on this guy.”

I glance at her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She shoves her knitting needles and yarn into a large purple tote bag next to her on the bench. “Can I take another lollipop for my grandson?”

“Take them all,” Greer says, pushing past me to grab the twine handles of the bag to pass it to the woman. “We sell them at Sweet Indulgence in Chelsea.”

“Sweet Indulgence,” the woman repeats. “I’ll stop by in the next few days.”

“If I’m not there, tell them Greer sent you. They’ll give you an automatic ten percent discount on anything you buy.”

“I’ll do that.” The woman nods at both of us. “Don’t let anger get in the way of the passion. There’s fire between you two. I can feel it. Never let that slip away.”

Greer sighs heavily as if she’s pushing back the urge to respond.

I do it for both of us. “You’re insightful. I’ve never met anyone like this woman. The passion and fire are real. It’s undeniable.”

Greer swats my forearm in what I suspect is an effort to get me to shut the hell up.

I catch her gaze and hold it. I need her to know that beyond the business deal we’re trying to broker, what I felt in East Hampton has only intensified. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted another woman, and I need her to understand that.

“I’ll leave you two to sort out whatever this situationship is.” The woman waves her hand in the air. “Thank you for the candy and for reminding me why I love sitting in this park. This city is filled with interesting people, including both of you.”

“What do you want, Holden?”

It’s a direct question, but I’m unsure exactly how to answer it, so I go with what I want most. “You.”

A pink blush creeps up her neck and invades both of her cheeks. It somehow makes her even more beautiful. “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” I ask, stepping closer to her as two men on bikes speed past us on the path. “Tell the truth.”

“Fine.” She blows out a breath. “Let’s start with why you really went to my store today.”

“I was hoping to see you,” I confess, because what’s the purpose in lying about something so obvious? “I was also looking for chocolate cigars.”

A smile blooms on her lips. “Chocolate cigars?”

I nod. “They look like regular cigars but are made of chocolate.”

Laughing, she shakes her head. “I know what they are, Holden. I was asking why you’re looking for them.”

“One of my closest friends and his wife had a baby early this morning.” I can’t help but smile. “Sweetest little boy you’ve ever seen. Well, my nephew Morgan is also the sweetest baby boy, so…”

“Congratulations to your friend and his wife.”

“They’re happy,” I state the obvious. “Super fucking happy.”

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