Page 115 of Charm

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.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

Holden