Page 55 of Charm

“You’re not going to buy anything?” He points at a display of brightly colored star-shaped lollipops on the counter next to where I’m standing. “Those are organic. They’re made from all natural ingredients. Greer came up with the concept and had a hand in the recipe development.”

I reach over and grab as many as I can fit in my fist. “I’ll take these.”

“All of them?”

“Sure. Ring them up.”

He quickly shoves all eight lollipops in a bag and swipes my credit card. When he finally glances at it, he chuckles. “You’re Holden Sheppard?”

Surprised that my name means anything to him, I nod.

“You should have led with that, dude.” He shakes his head. “Greer and my sister are at the café around the corner having a coffee. Well, no coffee for Krista, but they’re talking. They’re talking about selling this sweet place to you.”

As soon asI round the corner, I see Krista on the approach headed in my direction. Apparently, the meeting hasn’t started yet.

“Holden?” she calls out to me. “Is that you?”

I adjust my glasses and smile. “Sure is. How are you?”

“I’m good.” She smiles. “I am so good.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

Her gaze drops to the bag in my hand. “You bought something from our store? What did you get?”

I part the twine handles to give her a glimpse inside.

“Our star lollies.” She laughs. “Those are fantastic. Greer designed them with special someone in mind.”

If the special someone has a dick, I already don’t like him.

I don’t bother asking who was behind the inspiration for the lollipops I’ll pass off to my assistant to give to her daughters.

I glance into the coffee shop to see Greer sitting at a table. She’s a vision dressed in green.

I’d give just about anything to walk in there, gather her in my arms, and kiss her senseless, but I resist the urge because we’re not in a place where she would be open to that.

“I’m meeting Greer now to talk about selling Sweet Indulgence to Carden.” She crosses two fingers on her right hand. “Wish me luck. I need this sale to happen more than ever.”

I don’t ask why because that’s between her and her business partner.

“I’ll call you and Jameson later if I have good news.” She sighs. “I really hope I’ll have good news.”

I steal a parting glance at Greer. She’s studying her phone’s screen as she taps her chin.

“I’ll tell Greer you said hi,” Krista says.

“No.” I wave the thought away with a flick of my hand in the air. “That’s not necessary.”

She lets out a string of short giggles. “You’re right. You and Jameson aren’t her favorite people right now.”

I suspect Greer has no issues with my brother. I know for a fact, she doesn’t feel that way about me.

“It was good to see you, Holden.” She points to the door of the coffee shop. “Hopefully, this meeting will change all of our lives.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Greer