Page 50 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)
CHAPTER FIFTY
Greer
I tie a pink ribbon around the base of Olive’s ponytail. “All done.”
“Is it nice?” she asks, tugging on the end of it. “I hope it’s nice, Mommy.”
“The ponytail is perfect,” Bruce says as he stands in the doorway of Olive’s room. “The dress is, too.”
“Do I look fancy enough, Grandpa?” She spins in a circle, showing off her light blue dress. “I know the museum is a fancy place.”
I hide a smile behind my hand because my daughter loves a day trip to any of the museums in the city. It’s not just that she’s fascinated by the art. Olive loves to people watch.
“You look like a young lady who is going to show her grandpa the sights and sounds of the museum today,” he tells her. “I’m very proud to be going there with such a smart and well-dressed girl.”
That brings a big smile to her lips. “You look good too, Grandpa.”
Bruce skims a hand over the front of his short-sleeved checkered shirt. “Thank you.”
“Can we get something for lunch after?” she asks with a sly smile. “Maybe something round with some little pepperonis on it?”
“We have to get pizza,” he insists. “It’s our tradition now, isn’t it?”
She rushes over to hug him. “I love our traditions, Grandpa. I love you.”
I watch their tender embrace, grateful that my ex-husband’s parents stepped into a situation that their son ran from.
The day Olive was born, Bruce and Martha lost a son because he wasn’t ready to be a father. They tried to talk to Aaron about the joys of being a parent, but he wanted nothing to do with it.
He stormed out of their lives just as they stepped into mine to help me in any way they could. They’ve reconnected with Aaron since, but they’ve never wavered in their devotion to Olive.
“Can you meet us for pizza, Mom?” Olive glances at me. “Or we can bring some to the store for you.”
I was planning on spending the majority of my day in New Jersey at our production facilities, but if I stay in Manhattan for the morning, I can make a few calls. It’s time for me to reach out to people who I think may be interested in buying Krista’s share of the business.
It’s a short list given that I need to be comfortable working with them, but there’s potential there.
Considering that the museum they’re headed to doesn’t open until ten-thirty, I know my daughter will be more than ready for pizza by noon. “At noon?”
Bruce nods in agreement. “We’ll bring some sodas, and apple juice for Olive.”
She scrunches her nose. “Good because the bubbles in soda tickle my nose.”
I gather up her hairbrush and the rest of the package of hair elastics from the foot of her bed. “I hope you have a fun morning, you two.”
Olive races back across her room to wrap her arms around my waist. “Oh, we will, Mommy. I know you have fun at work, but I hope it’s extra fun today.”
I love that she views my work as fun. In many ways, I do, too, but right now I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
Krista is doing her best to find a new co-owner, but so far nothing has worked out on her end.
“You know we will do anything for you, Greer.” Bruce catches my eye. “I talked to Martha again last night about things, and our position on that business matter hasn’t changed.”
The fact that they’re still trying to convince me to partner with them warms my heart. “You’ve already done so much for me.”
He looks at his granddaughter. “We can never repay you for what you’ve done for us. You gave us a little girl to love.”
“It’s me.” Olive laughs. “You’re talking about me, Grandpa.”
“Of course I am.” He leans a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Should we double check with Grandma to see if she wants to go to the museum with us?”
“No.” Olive shakes her head. “Grandma is going to have tea with some friends today. She wants to talk to them about cro…something.”
“Crochet.” Bruce nods. “We’ll leave her to that.”
“Can we go now?” Olive runs back to Bruce, grabbing his hand in hers. “We can walk through the park.”
This city has so much to offer all of us, but a mid-morning stroll through Central Park is one of the best.
“You can walk with us for a bit, Mom, right?” she asks hopefully. “I can show you where Grandpa sometimes feeds the pigeons.”
I can’t say no to that, so I don’t. I nod. “Give me a minute to grab my things and I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“I’ll race you!” Olive yells as she takes off ahead of Bruce.
He hangs back for a few seconds. “I meant what I said, Greer. We can never repay you for letting us into Olive’s life. Whatever you need is yours.”
“You don’t owe me a thing.” I rush toward him to wrap my arms around him. “Thank you for loving her as much as I do.”
“Always.” He kisses the top of my head. “We will love that little girl forever. We love you, too.”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“Grandpa!” Olive yells from the bottom of the stairs. “I beat you.”
Bruce gives me one last kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll go down and keep her busy until you’re ready to go.”
I watch as he walks away, wondering how I got so lucky in life. I have a beautiful family and a man I can’t stop thinking about.
I haven’t been this happy in a very long time. It feels good. It feels so damn good.