Page 24 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Greer

I subtly study the face of the man who was waiting for us as we exited the elevator. There’s something familiar about him, but I know we’ve never met before.

Jameson Sheppard introduced himself as the Chief Operating Officer of Carden Confectionaries. As he shook my hand, he explained how his grandparents launched the enterprise decades ago.

Krista nodded in response to everything he said. This is the most nervous she’s ever been. I knew it as soon as I walked into our store and saw her shoving a fistful of jelly beans into her mouth.

A bright red one got away from her. It bounced down the front of the light blue dress she’s wearing. Thankfully, it didn’t leave a crimson trail behind.

I couldn’t help but laugh. She joined in, and that immediately broke the tension that had been brewing between us for days now.

I glance down at the red blouse and matching pants I’m wearing. I even chose red heels.

There’s no rhyme or reason behind it. I didn’t want to appear too formal, but still wanted to look presentable, since I know this is important to Krista.

This meeting isn’t going to end the way she wants, but I’m here, and that’s what matters at the moment.

“My brother is waiting for us in our main conference room,” Jameson says as he leads us down a corridor. “Holden is excited to meet you both.”

Good for him. I have no interest in meeting the man.

“He’s the CEO, right?” Krista asks excitedly. “I read all about both of you on the company website last night.”

I, on the other hand, read a fairytale to my daughter last night before she fell asleep. The main character was a princess who fought a few dragons and broke down some barriers to find success. She did it alone without the help of a company whose sole focus was to steal her dream away.

I may have been the one who hastily typed that fairytale into the notes app on my phone while Olive was kissing her grandparents good night.

“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.

My assumption is proven correct as he walks to the other end of the table and faces me directly. His gaze finds mine, and he perks a brow as if he’s asking me a silent question.

Crossing my arms, I shake my head before I look to where Krista has taken the seat next to Jameson since Marc moved over one.

“You can join us down here, Greer!” Krista calls through her cupped hands, as if I’m a million miles away, and she needs her voice to carry over the distance.

“I’m fine right where I am,” I say in defiance, glancing at her.

I shift my gaze back to the man who blew my world apart just six weeks ago. He lowers himself into his chair, keeping his eyes locked on me the entire time. “I’m eager to make a deal. Tell me what it’s going to take to make that happen, Greer.”