Page 45 of Charm

“I know.” He chuckles. “Your reaction at the meeting gave that away.”

“It was that obvious?” I ask as he drinks.

He places the glass down again, sliding a fingertip over the rim. “You looked as shocked as I felt. I could not fucking believe you walked into my conference room. I thought I’d never see you again.”

“That was the plan,” I whisper.

“Plans have changed,” he points out the obvious. “We need to figure out how to handle it.”

I stare at him. He’s not wearing the eyeglasses he had on earlier. I suddenly wonder if they’re a fashion statement and not a necessity. “No glasses tonight?”

I accentuate the point by circling a finger in the air around my right eye.

Shaking his head, he chuckles. “I typically wear contact lenses. I am now. Glasses are my last choice, but after you told me you liked the look weeks ago, I’ve been wearing them more frequently.”

I almost repeat how much I like the look, but I refrain and keep my mouth shut. He doesn’t need to hear how gorgeous I think he is, or that he’s by far the best lover I’ve ever had.

“That bracelet is cute.” He tilts his chin toward my left hand. “That’s a friendship bracelet, right?”

Panic soars through me. I look down and I’m immediately grateful that all the letters on the colorful, beaded bracelet are turned inward and out of his view. I didn’t do that on purpose since I’m not the one who slid it onto my wrist at dinner tonight.

Olive did that. She made it with Martha this afternoon as they sat on a bench in Central Park after buying the kit at a toy store. Martha had one with GRANDMA spelled out on it around her wrist. Bruce’s was fashioned with bright blue beads in addition to the word GRANDPA.

Mine is almost all pink with the most precious word in the world at the center of it all.

MOMMY.

I place my hand over the bracelet, shielding it completely from Holden’s view. “It is a friendship bracelet.”

“Am I safe to assume your business partner didn’t give you that?”

I almost laugh out loud as I drop my left hand to my lap, ensuring the bracelet is out of his view. “Krista’s mad at me now, but we’ll figure it out.”

Nodding, he takes another small sip of his scotch. “She wants to sell. I take it you don’t.”

“I don’t,” I whisper. “But, we have a lot to talk about. We will. Krista and I are close.”

“I’m open to negotiating the offer to terms that would suit you both,” he effortlessly shifts into full business mode. “I can have an amendment to you by tomorrow at noon.”

I glance at my lap and the bracelet. It’s a reminder of why I want to hang onto Sweet Indulgence. I’m just not sure I can if Krista is ready to walk away from it. “Don’t bother.”

“For now?” he asks in a low tone. “Or are you closing the door to a deal completely?”

“I need to talk to Krista,” I answer, ignoring his questions. “I need to do that first before I make any decisions.”

His left eyebrow perks. “Even a decision about whether or not you should go to dinner with me the night after forever ends?”

I stare straight into his brilliant blue eyes. “I had fun, Holden. I had a lot of fun during our weekend together, but nothing has changed. I’m not interested in more. I never will be.”

He leans back in his chair to finish his drink.

“I’ll let you know about whether we’re open to negotiating.” I push to stand. “You’ll hear from me soon.”

He’s on his feet before I can take one step away from the table.

I swing my left hand behind my back to hide my bracelet from him, but he doesn’t notice. His gaze is pinned to my face.

“Never is a long time,” he rasps. “I want you, Greer. That hasn’t changed.”