Page 67 of Charm (Billionaire Buck Boys #7)
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Greer
“What were you going to say back at my place?” Holden asks as we descend the stairs to the main level of my home.
I glance over my shoulder at him. His suit jacket is in the kitchen along with his cufflinks. The sleeves of his white button-down shirt are rolled up to his elbows. He looks comfortable and content.
I know a lot of that has to do with the fact that he read Olive her second bedtime story of the night. She hung on every word, and when it was time for her to go to sleep, he kissed her softly on the forehead.
The tears that were streaming down his face as he walked out of her room and brushed past Bruce and Martha were all the proof I needed that he’s Olive’s dad.
As soon as we reach the kitchen, I turn to face him. “I was going to ask you not to take her away from me.”
He pulls me close, cradling the back of my head in his hand as I rest it against his chest. When I was about to ask the question earlier, I was on the cusp of tears. I don’t feel that now because I know how he feels about me.
“I’d never do anything like that,” he whispers as he holds me. “You’re her mom.”
I push back so I can look at his face. “You’re her dad.”
He nods. “We’ll get the paternity test taken care of this week.”
We discussed it in the rideshare here. Even though my heart is telling me they are father and daughter, I know the prudent thing to do is get the test done.
Celia and I never discussed who she was or wasn’t sleeping with.
She took that pendant from Holden nine months before Olive was born.
My daughter’s eyes are the same shade as Holden’s, and even Bruce noticed that they share the same hair color, although he made a whispered remark to Holden that Olive was missing the gray streaks.
“Once it’s confirmed, where do we go from there?” I ask quietly.
“I’ll spend time with our little girl,” he says. “We’ll spend time altogether. I get to spend some quality time alone with you.”
I let out a laugh. “I miss our quality time alone.”
“You and me both,” he quips.
“Soon,” I promise. “We’ll be together again soon.”
He kisses my forehead. “I can’t wait.”
We stare into each other’s eyes for what feels like endless moments.
“I’ll book the paternity test this week,” I whisper. “Is there a day that works best for you?”
“You name the time and place and I’ll be there.”
“We’ll talk to her together when the test results come back.” I smile. “I want us to tell Olive together that you’re her dad.”
“We will.” He cups my face in his hands.
“I can’t wait for our life together,” I whisper, knowing it will help him understand how deeply I care for him.
He gazes into my eyes. “It’s already started. This is just the beginning.”
Today is the day.
I have an envelope in my hand. Holden does too as he approaches where I’m standing outside Palla on Fifth.
We agreed to meet here because I just had a coffee with Krista and Rocco. The deal for him to buy her shares is almost complete. I know he’ll make an amazing partner for me, and with his business acumen and connections, Sweet Indulgence will reach new heights of success.
Holden and I briefly discussed the idea of him personally buying out Krista to keep the business in the family, but this is a wise move for me. I also don’t want to complicate everything that’s happening between us by dragging business into it.
Our relationship already has so many layers.
“You didn’t open the envelope?” he asks before he kisses me softly.
“Neither did you.”
He laughs, pinching my chin as he does. “I don’t need to, Greer. Olive is ours.”
I feel that, too.
Since the paternity test was done, we’ve spent time altogether as we waited for the results.
Holden came over for dinner three nights ago and then took Olive and me out for ice cream.
We visited him at his office yesterday. Olive had the chance to shake her uncle Jameson’s hand even though we didn’t introduce him that way.
Right now, he’s just James to her, and he couldn’t be happier.
“You’ll marry me one day,” he blurts out. “I’m putting that out there before the truth is revealed.”
He taps the corner of his envelope on his palm.
“Would you still want to marry me one day if you’re not Olive’s father?” I have to ask, although I already know the answer.
“I love you, Greer,” he whispers the words I will never hear enough. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“I love you, too,” I say for the first time. “Nothing will ever change that.”
“You love me?” he asks as if he doesn’t already know.
It was evident when we made love in his bed last night. It was tender and slow. I clung to him as I came, whispering his name into his ear.
I told him I loved him then, but it was just silent words that fell from my lips as he found his release.
“So much.” I nod. “I love you, Holden.”
“Fuck, I’m lucky.”
I laugh. “Let’s open the envelopes together.”
“Good plan.” He smiles. “Three, two, one, and then we go, okay?”
“Okay.” I take a breath. “Three, two, one, go.”
We rip the corners of each of our envelopes together. His paper is out before mine, but I keep focused on opening my envelope.
The sob that escapes him hits me in the heart just as I read the results.
“Congratulations, dad,” I whisper as I kiss him. “It’s a girl.”