Page 35 of Charm

Holden

I thankthe man working at the bodega around the corner from my office. He’s one of the few people in this city who doesn’t give me a perplexed look when I pick up a newspaper.

I’m well aware that the news of the day is just a swipe away on my phone, and I admit that’s where I get the majority of my information. Still, I have an ulterior motive for carrying a newspaper folded under my arm on my way into the building that I spend the majority of my time in each day.

I remember fondly the vision of my grandfather arriving at Carden with a newspaper tucked under his arm. He always wore a sharp suit in a color I’d never be caught in. I’ll never forget what he looked like in a canary yellow suit with a bright blue button-down shirt with a wide collar under the jacket. My favorite suit of his was mint green with white stitching.

My grandmother hated it. She literally cringed whenever he wore it, but Carrick Sheppard knew exactly how to make her smile even when he was dressed in a way she abhorred.

I’d never attempt to mimic his fashion sense, but the newspaper under my arm is a tribute to the man who started this business with his beloved wife. It’s given me a life I never dreamed possible.

“Glasses again?” my brother asks as I near where he’s standing outside the building.

I’ve worn my contact lenses multiple times since I left East Hampton, but glasses have their benefits. They always garner second looks from our employees when I pass them in the corridor or board the elevator with them.

I ignore the question and take the coffee he offers me. “Thanks, James.”

“I should be upfront about that.” He chuckles. “Consider the coffee a bribe. I want us to buy this company, Holden.”

He’s made his interest in Sweet Indulgence abundantly clear to me. It’s so clear that I’m not going to fight him on this. I looked over the financials one of the owners provided to him. It’s a solid investment for us, especially since the storefront on Chelsea is prime real estate and their lease for the next year and a half is part of the deal.

We’ll rebrand it as a Carden location and make it work better for us than it has for the current owners.

With the right amount of attention and thoughtful marketing, acquiring this company can be a win for us. I can feel it, and my intuition is rarely wrong.

“Krista and Greer will be here at ten,” he tells me.

“Krista and Greer?” I question.

He shoots me a look meant to convey his frustration with me, but it falls flat because he adds a smile to it. “The owners of Sweet Indulgence, Holden. Try to keep up.”

“Right.” I nod.

Other than the financials, I haven’t conducted a thorough review of the files he sent me regarding the business he wants toacquire. He’s the one who handled all the legwork. All I need to do is show up for this meeting.

“Let’s get inside.” He starts walking toward the lobby door of the building that houses our offices. “Drink the coffee. I don’t want you falling asleep mid-meeting.”

I punch his shoulder. It’s hard enough to sting, but light enough to make him laugh. “Don’t be an asshole, James.”

“You love that about me.”

I laugh, too. “True. It’s true.”

I gesturetoward the rectangular conference table and the vacant chair at the head of it. “I’ll flip you for it.”

Jameson barks out a laugh. “What? No.”

As CEO, I automatically take that seat and run our meetings, but it wouldn’t hurt him to take control of this one.

“You’re the one who shepherded this deal,” I point out.

“You’re the Sheppard in charge.”

“So?” I take another sip of the coffee he got me. It’s way too fucking strong for my liking, but I need the caffeine jolt it’s providing, so I’ll finish every last drop.

“So, sit your ass down.” He rakes a hand through his hair, messing it up slightly. “Krista and Greer will be here soon.”

“You’re chomping at the bit.” I sit while motioning to the chair next to me. “You need to calm down. We’ll get this deal done.”