Page 35 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Greer

Krista and I have been circling the same subject for the past thirty minutes.

I’ve countered every argument she’s made to sell Sweet Indulgence.

I’ve been reviewing our financials, and with some tweaks I’m confident we can increase revenue.

That would mean more money for Krista each month, and she wouldn’t have to do anything to earn a dime of it.

I explained that all to her, but she’s not on board.

A lump sum equivalent to her half of what Carden is offering us is the only thing that will make her happy at this point.

Even if we agreed to void the clause in our contract that states she can’t sell her shares unless I sell mine, I don’t have the money I’d need to buy her portion outright.

My parents gave me a very generous down payment for my townhouse as a gift when my divorce was finalized.

It came with a caveat. I can’t use any of the equity to dump money into the business.

My dad was adamant about that. He doesn’t want me to end up with a failed business and no place to live.

Martha’s offer to help is still on the table. Bruce has chimed in that he would be all in, too, but I can’t risk their retirement nest egg to fuel my dreams. Besides, what they have offered would still leave me short by several hundred thousand dollars.

“Greer,” Krista says my name with exasperation edging her tone. “I know how you feel about this, but I’m not going to change my mind.”

She’s made that abundantly clear.

I’d tell her that I won’t either, but why state the obvious?

“Don’t you ever feel the pull to jump back into the marketing trenches?” Her eyes light up. “You loved your job. I bet Heather would hire you back in a heartbeat.”

My former boss has moved on to greener pastures. She’s no longer employed at the tech company I used to work for. Besides, that chapter of my life is behind me now. It’s closed.

“Carden will take Sweet Indulgence into its folds, Greer. It’ll become a treasured part of its empire.”

I almost bark out a laugh.

Holden Sheppard, his brother, and whoever else they have working at a high level with them will tear our company apart, bit by tiny bit, until all that’s left are unrecognizable shreds.

As soon as the ink is dry on a deal with Carden, Sweet Indulgence will cease to exist.

Emotions bubble inside of me at the thought of that, but I take a breath to steady myself.

“Did you look over the offer they made the day after we met with them, Greer?”

Nodding, I take a sip of my now cold coffee. “I did.”

“It’s very generous.” She glances at her tall glass of water. It’s untouched. “It would set me up in Los Angeles, and it would give you a financial cushion until you talk to Heather about going back to work for her.”

Again, I don’t correct her about Heather because going back to my old job is not an option for a myriad of reasons.

“I want to have an answer for Jameson and Holden by the end of next week.” She glances at the watch on her wrist. “I have a wedding cake tasting in a few minutes. I have to leave now if I hope to make that appointment.”

I’m the maid of honor, but an invitation to join her at the appointment isn’t there.

“You should go.” I get up from my chair.

She does the same, grabbing her purse from the table as she does. “I love you, Greer.”

I manage a small smile. “I love you, too.”

“Please don’t let this come between us,” she whispers as she pulls me in for a hug. “You’re like a sister to me.”

A single tear falls onto my cheek. “I feel the same way about you. I always will.”

I had planned to go to the store after my meeting with Krista, but since her brother, Burt, is working the counter today, I headed to Riverside Park.

This place holds special memories for me. Most of them involve Celia, since we’d often meet up here to share a sandwich and talk about boys.

Eventually, those discussions focused on the men in our lives, and then what the future held for us.

Celia was my maid of honor when I married Aaron. The day of our wedding, she pulled me aside before we left for the ceremony and asked if I was sure I was doing the right thing.

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.”