Page 89 of Charm

We both turn in unison to see Jameson approaching us. As soon as he spots me, he taps his palm against his forehead. “Shit. I’m sorry, Greer. I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s fine,” I say as I notice him silently mouthing the words “I’m sorry” to his brother. “How are you?”

“I’m great, thanks. You?”

I turn my attention back to Holden. “I’m the best I’ve ever been.”

A soft smile coasts over his lips as he stares into my eyes. “Me too.”

Jameson clears his throat, luring his brother’s attention toward him. He shoots him a frustrated look, but he doesn’t say a thing.

“We need your signature on some documents, Holden,” he explains. “I wouldn’t have tracked you down if this wasn’t urgent. It’s regarding the fire.”

“What fire?” I blurt out, my gaze volleying between Holden and Jameson.

Holden reaches for my elbow, grazing a finger over it. “One of our locations in Washington State caught fire. Everyone on site is fine.”

“I’m glad everyone is okay,” I say. “I’m sorry about the fire.”

“Me too,” Jameson adds his voice to the mix. “I’m also sorry I have to drag my brother away.”

“Duty calls.” I smile at Jameson. “I’ll grab my coffee to go.”

“Put it on Carden’s tab.” Jameson gestures to the barista counter. “Feel free to do that anytime you’re in the neighborhood.”

“That’s very generous of you. Thank you.”

He nods at me. “It’s the least I can do. You’ve put a smile on that guy’s face lately. That means something to me.”

I look at Holden to find him grinning at his brother as he playfully admonishes him, “James, enough.”

“He means something to me,” I admit. “I hope the fire recovery goes smoothly.”

“Thanks,” Jameson tugs on the sleeve of Holden’s suit jacket. “Let’s go.”

Holden gifts me with one last kiss. This one is in the center of my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight, Greer.”

“Tonight,” I whisper. “I can’t wait.”

Martha standsin the open doorway of my bedroom with her arms crossed over her chest. The jean jumpsuit she’s wearing has a multitude of pockets. From where I’m standing, I can see the head of one of Olive’s favorite small stuffed animals poking out from one. Another is barely hanging onto the corner of a dishtowel.

Martha is beautiful in a simply elegant way. She has exquisite bone structure and long hair that was once light brown but has now become soft waves of gray. She’s always garnering second glances from the people we pass on the sidewalk.

Her heart is just as beautiful as her face. I love my mom, but Martha has filled a spot in my life I didn’t know was empty.

“You’re thinking about something,” I say with a teasing glance. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Slip some clean undies and a fresh T-shirt in that tote you’re taking.” She points at the weathered brown leather tote I’ve been carting around all day.

I chose it this morning because I wanted to take my laptop with me so I’d have Sweet Indulgence’s sales data at the ready if a potential buyer asked to see it.

The meeting I had right before I met up with Holden at the café didn’t get past the initial handshake stage. As soon as Imentioned how small of an operation Sweet Indulgence is, I was shown the door.

I’m not deterred, though. There are still plenty of fish in the financial sea of Manhattan. With Krista and I both on the hunt for someone to take over her shares in the company, we can’t fail.

“Excuse me?” I laugh. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Martha steps closer to me, lowering her voice even though Olive is fast asleep in her bedroom at the far end of the hallway. “A sleepover isn’t the worst idea, Greer.”

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