Page 51 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Greer

“I talked to Nikita Wolf about buying my half of this beautiful business,” Krista announces as she walks into Sweet Indulgence with a bottle of water in one hand and what smells like a cup of coffee in the other.

I’m about to ask if the coffee is for me because I could sure use it.

I didn’t grab a cup at home because I wanted to stroll through Central Park with Olive and Bruce.

On my way here, Burt texted me to say he had a family emergency and needed to leave.

He was vague with the details. That made sense since I texted Krista right after that to ask what the emergency was.

Burt was called in for a last minute audition for an off-Broadway musical.

It seems the family emergency was all about him hoping his family could watch him on the stage one day.

Krista slides the coffee cup across the checkout counter toward me. “I got it just the way you like it, Greer.”

I’m hoping that’s because she views it as a celebratory gift. Partnering with Wolf Candy would be ideal. Nikita Wolf has built her very successful business from the ground up. Combining her premier chocolate with our candy seems like a win-win to me.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “You said you spoke to Nikita?”

“I did.” A smile blooms on her lips. “She mentioned that Holden Sheppard was in her store yesterday.”

I suddenly wonder if he’s out canvassing for a potential partner for me. If that were the case, he would have told me when I saw him.

“He was buying something for a friend.” She sighs. “He seems like a great guy, Greer. Are you sure there isn’t a chance for more between you two?”

I want nothing more than to tell her there’s not only a chance, but we’re going to pursue things to see where it all leads. Right now, though, I want to hear about what happened when she asked Nikita about buying her out.

I decide to go the direct route, so Krista doesn’t wander off course again. “What did Nikita say about buying your half of Sweet Indulgence?”

She unscrews the cap of her water bottle and takes a long drink. If she’s trying to forcefully push me into agony, she’s doing a great job.

“It’s a no,” she says. “She loves our products but is looking to expand her business, so she’s focused on that right now.”

A small jolt of disappointment courses through me, but partnering with Wolf Candy was a long shot.

“I take it you haven’t had any luck finding someone to buy me out?”

“I’m working on it,” I say, honestly.

“We’ll find someone.” She lifts her bottle in the air, motioning for me to do the same with my coffee cup.

I do, smiling the entire time. “What are we toasting to?”

“To the future.” She grins. “To my life in California, and the beautiful life you’ve built here.”

We both turn in unison when the store’s door swings open and Olive comes racing in.

Bruce is on her heel with a pizza box and a paper bag with twine handles.

“Pizza delivery!” Olive yells. “Krista, you’re here!”

My little girl runs toward Krista at breakneck speed, darting around several displays until she’s got her arms wrapped around my dearest friend.

“I’ve missed you,” Krista whispers as she strokes Olive’s hair. “You’re getting so big.”

Olive glances up at her face. “One day I might be taller than you.”

Krista’s eyes fill with unshed tears. “You’re so beautiful, Olive.”

“You’re not crying, are you?” Olive hugs her tighter. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m so happy to see you,” Krista explains as she shoots me a look.

I know it well. She needs me to save her from the overwhelming emotions she’s feeling. This doesn’t happen every time the two of them are together, but as Olive’s gotten older, it’s become more frequent.

Olive steps back before she comes to me. When her arms wrap around my waist, I feel the same sense of gratitude I do every time I get to hug her.

“There’s enough pizza for all of us,” she tells me. “We can have a fun lunch break.”

“I’d love to share that pizza.” Krista’s voice wavers. “I always like hanging out with all of you.”

Bruce sets the pizza box on the counter along with the paper bag. “I’ll run to the back to get napkins.”

“I know where they are!” Olive screams, setting off in a sprint to grab a handful of the napkins I keep on the desk in the back room. “I’ll race you again, Grandpa.”

A low chuckle falls from between Bruce’s lips. “Something tells me winning a race against that little one isn’t in the cards for me.”

He leaves the room, walking at his usual, unhurried pace.

“He’s so good with her,” Krista whispers once Bruce is out of earshot. “They love her so much, Greer.”

“They do.”

She twirls her engagement ring around on her finger. “I know raising her hasn’t always been easy.”

“I’ve loved every second of it,” I say, my voice breaking. “I love her so much.”

“Me too.”

I reach for her hand to quiet her anxiety. I can always tell when Krista needs reassurance that everything is okay. “She’s growing up so fast.”

“She really is.” She smiles through a sob. “I can’t believe how much she looks like…”

“Mom!” Olive interrupts Krista at the precise moment I know I would have broken into tears. “You had some pink napkins back there.”

I turn my attention to my little girl, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I got those just for you.”

“I knew it.” Her entire face beams with pride. “I’m starving. Can I dig in?”

The bell above the door signals a new arrival, so I steal a glance in that direction.

Two women walk in. One of them is holding tightly to the hand of a toddler. All three of them look to the left, before their gazes shift to the right as they take stock of everything in the store.

“I’ll handle them,” Krista offers with a hand on my forearm. “You enjoy the pizza.”

I pick up the box and the bag with the beverages, and point toward the corridor that Olive and Bruce just came from. “Let’s go eat in the office.”

Olive looks at Krista. “I’ll save you two pieces.”

Krista bends down slightly, scooping the four-leaf clover pendant hanging around Olive’s neck into her hand for just a moment before she kisses my daughter’s forehead. “I can’t wait.”

I hear the emotion that’s still swimming in her voice, but she stands up straight, clears her throat, and gets to work helping our customers.