Page 34 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Holden
I stroll into 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.
“You’re not going to buy anything?” He points at a display of brightly colored star-shaped lollipops on the counter next to where I’m standing. “Those are organic. They’re made from all natural ingredients. Greer came up with the concept and had a hand in the recipe development.”
I reach over and grab as many as I can fit in my fist. “I’ll take these.”
“All of them?”
“Sure. Ring them up.”
He quickly shoves all eight lollipops in a bag and swipes my credit card. When he finally glances at it, he chuckles. “You’re Holden Sheppard?”
Surprised that my name means anything to him, I nod.
“You should have led with that, dude.” He shakes his head. “Greer and my sister are at the café around the corner having a coffee. Well, no coffee for Krista, but they’re talking. They’re talking about selling this sweet place to you.”
As soon as I round the corner, I see Krista on the approach headed in my direction. Apparently, the meeting hasn’t started yet.
“Holden?” she calls out to me. “Is that you?”
I adjust my glasses and smile. “Sure is. How are you?”
“I’m good.” She smiles. “I am so good.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
Her gaze drops to the bag in my hand. “You bought something from our store? What did you get?”
I part the twine handles to give her a glimpse inside.
“Our star lollies.” She laughs. “Those are fantastic. Greer designed them with special someone in mind.”
If the special someone has a dick, I already don’t like him.
I don’t bother asking who was behind the inspiration for the lollipops I’ll pass off to my assistant to give to her daughters.
I glance into the coffee shop to see Greer sitting at a table. She’s a vision dressed in green.
I’d give just about anything to walk in there, gather her in my arms, and kiss her senseless, but I resist the urge because we’re not in a place where she would be open to that.
“I’m meeting Greer now to talk about selling Sweet Indulgence to Carden.” She crosses two fingers on her right hand. “Wish me luck. I need this sale to happen more than ever.”
I don’t ask why because that’s between her and her business partner.
“I’ll call you and Jameson later if I have good news.” She sighs. “I really hope I’ll have good news.”
I steal a parting glance at Greer. She’s studying her phone’s screen as she taps her chin.
“I’ll tell Greer you said hi,” Krista says.
“No.” I wave the thought away with a flick of my hand in the air. “That’s not necessary.”
She lets out a string of short giggles. “You’re right. You and Jameson aren’t her favorite people right now.”
I suspect Greer has no issues with my brother. I know for a fact, she doesn’t feel that way about me.
“It was good to see you, Holden.” She points to the door of the coffee shop. “Hopefully, this meeting will change all of our lives.”