Page 45 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Holden
Unknown: We should talk.
I stare at my phone’s screen, hoping like hell I’m looking at a text message from Greer.
Just as I’m about to type out a response, asking the sender to confirm their identity, they shoot another message my way.
Unknown: It’s me. Summer Time.
I may be standing in the middle of the library, but I almost let out a loud “fuck, yeah!” I refrain not only because the librarian would give me hell, but I’m with Kirby, and the little angel always calls me out when I curse.
“You look happy, Uncle Holden.” She stares at me from where she’s been standing next to a shelf that houses her current reading obsession.
Lately, she’s been obsessed with a series of girl detective novels that her dad and mom are teaching her to read.
Since I had a few hours free in my schedule today, and Rook had a last minute order to appear in court, I offered to bring Kirby here to return the books they had read together and to pick out a few new ones for the coming week.
“I’m always happy when I’m with you.”
Doubt taints her expression. “Are you texting a girl right now?”
I should be, but I don’t want Kirby to think I’m neglecting the very important process of picking out just the right books. I’m here for her.
“Not right now, no.” I smile. “I’ll text the nice lady back in a little bit.”
She closes the short distance between us with hurried steps. “Do you want to kiss the nice lady?”
Everywhere for hours , but I keep that to myself.
“I need to talk to the nice lady about business,” I tell her.
“What’s her name?”
“Greer,” I say without hesitating.
I may not share everything with Kirby, but I try not to put her in a position where she feels I’m keeping a secret from her.
We have a special bond that rivals the one she has with Rook’s brother, Milo. We both view the almost six-year-old as smart and intuitive. She trusts us to give her the straight facts whenever we can.
“I like that name.” Her blue eyes shift from my face to something behind me. “A boy from my day camp is here.”
“A good boy or a bully?” I ask, although I can tell by the way she’s smiling that the boy in question will land on Santa’s nice list this year.
Kirby likes him. That’s all I need to know.
“We should say hi to him, Kirbs.”
“What?” Her hand jumps up to cover her mouth. “No way.”
I steal a glance over my shoulder at a little boy with blond hair and a man with him who is sporting the same color hair. I’m not an expert at pinpointing family dynamics from afar, but something tells me that I’m looking at a dad and his son.
“What’s the problem?” I ask, keeping my tone even as I fight to keep a smile from creeping over my lips. “It’s good manners to say hi to someone you know when you see them.”
“Who says?”
“Me.” I perk a brow. “I’m a good manners expert.”
“I heard you tell my dad to get lost on the phone last week.” Her hands drop to her hips. “That’s bad manners.”
I’ve been telling Rook for years to keep our calls off speakerphone, but he doesn’t listen. “I was teasing him.”
She glances past me. “It doesn’t matter. Bode is leaving now.”
I reach for her hand. “We can catch up to them. There’s an ice cream stand two blocks from here. You can buy Bode a cone.”
“I don’t have any money.” She fidgets on her feet. “What if he says no?”
“I’ll spot you a ten.” I smile. “Sometimes people do say no, Kirbs, but you never know if they will until you ask the question.”
She tugs on my hand. “Can we come back and get some books after?”
“You bet.”
“Let’s go.” She sets off in a run, dragging me with her.
We’re out of the library and heading down the sidewalk hot on the heels of Bode, when I spot a beautiful woman with red hair across the street.
“Hurry!” Kirby urges. “He’s going to get away.”
Faced with the choice of chasing her friend or pursuing the woman I can’t stop thinking about, I do what needs to be done.
As we weave our way through the pedestrian traffic to catch up to Bode and who I think is his dad, I call out, hoping my voice carries over the noise of this city. “Greer!”
She stops, turns toward me, and smiles brightly. Her hand darts in the air just as a bus speeds past on the street, blocking both our views.
When it’s gone, she’s still there with the same smile on her face. “Holden!”
“I’ll call you!” I yell. “Give me an hour. I’ve got an ice cream date now.”
“It’s not a date!” Kirby screams loud enough that it grabs everyone’s attention, including Bode and the man he’s with.
I can’t hear it, but I see Greer laughing.
Jesus, she’s so fucking beautiful, and I’m the luckiest guy in this city that I get to talk to her as soon as I make this ice cream non-date happen.
Greer sends me a final wave before she disappears into the foot traffic.
I straighten the lapel of my suit jacket and extend my free hand to the blond guy holding tightly to little Bode’s hand. “I’m Holden Sheppard. My niece, Kirby, would love to buy you and Bode an ice cream if you have the time.”
Kirby squeezes my hand lightly. I steal a glance at her face to see her beaming.
This day is shaping up to be a good one, and it’ll get even better later when I talk to Greer.