Page 65 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Greer

I fall back onto the couch because my legs don’t have the strength to hold me up. My entire world is spinning around me. None of this makes sense.

None of it.

Celia wasn’t a thief.

Looking up at Holden, I ask through a sob, “Do you want the pendant back?”

He sits next to me. “Fuck, no, Greer. No.”

My heart feels like it’s ricocheting around in my chest. I swear I can’t feel the floor beneath my feet, and there’s not enough air in the room to fill my lungs.

There’s another much more important question to be asked, but I can’t form the words. I can’t ask him if he’s going to take her away from me.

I glance down at my hands, willing logic to step into this so I can think clearly.

“I know you’ll want me to take a paternity test, “ he whispers. “We can arrange for that as soon as possible.”

He’s being logical. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s the one who knew that my Olive might be his biological daughter.

“When did you realize?” I ask quietly. “How long have you known that she could be yours?”

He tilts his chin up, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s going to correct me and say he is Olive’s father, not that he could be.

“When I saw the pendant around her neck the other night.” He taps his shoe on the floor. “The picture she showed me of you and Celia confirmed it.”

“It was a one-night stand,” I point out. “That doesn’t mean…”

“Olive has my eyes,” he says calmly. “She resembles my grandmother.”

“You’re imagining that.”

He nods ever so slightly. “I know this is a shock, Greer. I get that it’s incredibly overwhelming for you.”

That’s an understatement.

The man I thought I was falling in love with is suddenly claiming to be the guy who knocked up my friend during a one-night stand forever ago.

I push to my feet again because I will never find clarity here with him.

I want to talk to Bruce and Martha. I need to speak to a lawyer. I have to hug my daughter.

“I have to go.”

He’s on his feet, too. He reaches for me but stops short of touching me. “Greer, please. We should talk more.”

“I need to talk to other… there are other people I need to talk to right now.”

Nodding, he steps back. “I understand.”

I walk to the table to grab my tote bag. My gaze lingers on the bottle of champagne I brought with me.

I foolishly thought he wanted me here to tell me he was falling in love with me. I would have confessed the same to him before we toasted with champagne and made love.

The excitement I felt about finding a potential new business partner paled in comparison to what I’m feeling for Holden.

Or what I thought I was feeling.

“Can I call you tomorrow?” he asks from behind me. “Would that be okay?”

I glance over my shoulder as I reach the door to his apartment. “Maybe not. I need time.”

“I’ll give you some time,” he says in a gentle tone.

It’s only a promise of a brief reprieve, but I’ll take it.

Martha hands me a mug of tea. I didn’t ask for it, but she made it because she can tell that I’m spiraling.

I was in tears when I got home.

She appeared in the hallway as soon as she heard my first sob. I fell into her arms. I didn’t say a word, but she offered many. All of them were comforting and focused on how she’d do anything to help me. She said we’re a family and she’ll help me through whatever it is.

Whatever it is.

It’s the knowledge that my daughter’s father may have just wandered into our lives.

Bruce walks into my den, closing the door softly behind him. It’s unnecessary since Olive is fast asleep, but Bruce is a man who values privacy and will do anything necessary to protect his granddaughter.

I stare at them both as they sit side by side on the small pink loveseat that is opposite my desk. The loveseat was an impulse buy right after I moved in. When I first saw it, I pictured rainy afternoons with Olive curled up on it, having a nap.

I don’t think she’s fallen asleep on it once, but she’s tucked her dolls in to sleep on it.

The purchase was worth every dime I spent on it.

“We want to help you, Greer.” Bruce smiles gently. “You know you can tell us anything. There’s no judgment here. We will always love you no matter what.”

I know that and believe it deep within my bones.

These people are my family. They are Olive’s family. They need to know what’s happening.

“The man I’ve been seeing, he…”

“Holden?” Martha interrupts. “Olive says he’s the nicest man she’s ever met and his smile makes her smile.”

That sends an ache through my heart. I brush away a falling tear.

“Did he break up with you?” Bruce asks in his best protective dad tone. “Give me his address and I’ll have a talk with that young man.”

I manage a small smile. “It’s not that.”

Bruce leans forward slightly. “Tell us what it is, dear.”

“There’s a chance that he might be Olive’s dad.” I take a breath as both of their mouths drop open. “He slept with Celia around the time she got pregnant. She stole that four-leaf clover charm from him.”

“Oh, my,” Martha whispers.

Bruce glances at her before he locks his gaze on my face again. “Did he know about Olive before you met him on your trip?”

“No,” I answer quickly. “He had no idea I was a mom.”

He considers that for a second or two. “Let’s do the right thing. You deserve to know the truth. He does, and Olive sure as hell does.”

I close my eyes and drop my chin. “A paternity test.”

“Yes.” His voice fills the room. “Let’s find out if he’s her dad. Would he be the kind of father she deserves, Greer?”

I look at Martha before I level my gaze back on Bruce. He’s always been like a dad to me. He’s given me advice whenever I’ve asked. He’s held me when I’ve cried. He stepped up to take care of a little girl when his own son walked away.

“I think he has the potential to be as good a dad to our Olive as you’ve been to me,” I tell him.

A single tear streams down his cheek. “You love this man, don’t you? I think there’s a chance you’ve fallen in love with him.”

“I have,” I admit for the first time out loud.

“Then it’s settled.” Bruce pushes to his feet, motioning for me to do the same. “Give me a hug, my girl. Tomorrow we’ll make a few calls to find out what the next steps need to be to get that paternity test done.”

I rush into his arms. Martha stands and joins in the embrace.

I cling tightly to my family. I have no idea what the future holds for Olive and me, but I know we’ll get through it.