Page 108 of Charm

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Holden

A soft knockat my apartment door tells me the doorman let Greer up without notifying me. I don’t blame him. When he gets busy helping other residents with packages and deliveries, his attention is easily diverted.

I take a deep breath to try and slow my racing pulse, but it’s useless. I’m sure at some point I won’t feel this thundering sensation against my chest wall, but that’s not going to happen tonight.

I swing open the door to find her wearing the same T-shirt and shorts she was on the day we met.

It’s a trip back in time to a moment I’ll never forget. I had no idea when I turned around in Mrs. Frye’s pool that I was coming face-to-face with the mother of my child.

“Holden!” she says my name with so much exuberance that I can’t help but smile. “I brought champagne.”

This moment would be perfect if she had any idea about the bombshell I’m about to drop in her lap. She doesn’t, though. The champagne is meant to celebrate something other than thefact we share a child. My guess is that she found a new business partner.

Her gaze trails over my suit. “You look professional.”

I point to where my tie would normally be. “I lost the tie an hour or two ago.”

“And no glasses?” She tilts her head. “I still like you.”

I think I love you.

I keep that to myself because it’s far too intense to precede what I need to say to her.

“Good.” I kiss the center of her forehead. “I like you, too.”

“Will you pop the cork on this?” She lightly shakes the bottle of champagne. “We can toast to the very real prospect of me having a new business partner.”

“I will.” I take it from her. “I’d like to talk first.”

“His name is Rocco Jones,” she says. “He’s an angel investor. He would be the perfect partner, Holden. He’ll offer advice and guidance, and he has a million connections that can open a lot of doors for me.”

I listen to every word because this is important to her. That makes it important to me, too.

I know who Rocco Jones is. I met the guy once at his grandmother’s restaurant. Calvettti’s serves the best Italian food in the state. The Calvetti family has touched the lives of many people in this city. If Greer has the opportunity to partner with one of them, I see that as a solid move for her.

“I’ll know more soon,” she says, eyeing the champagne bottle. “Where do you keep your champagne glasses?”

I reach for one of her hands. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Her gaze scans my face slowly. “It’s something serious, isn’t it?”

“Very,” I admit. “Life changing.”

“For me or you?” she questions.

“Both of us, Greer.”

She glances at the champagne bottle again before her gaze drifts to the couch. “Let’s sit and talk. We should sit and talk, right?”

I squeeze her hand. “We should sit and talk.”

Her fingertip traces her bottom lip. “Okay.”

I lead her toward the couch in silence. I’m about to change her life forever, and I have no idea if anything will ever be the same between us again.

The best way toaddress a difficult situation is by jumping all in. My grandparents taught me that. It’s how they handled all of the bullshit that came up, be it in business or with their family.