Page 78 of Charm

“It looks perfect to me.” Something colorful on his wrist catches my eye. I laugh a little as I point at it. “What’s that?”

He hands me the tiara before pushing the sleeve of his suit jacket up far enough to reveal a colorful beaded friendship bracelet.

“It’s a gift from Kirby,” he says proudly, flipping his wrist over to reveal six beads spelling out Uncle H.

I skim a fingertip across them. “It’s beautiful. That’s the little girl you were with earlier?”

“Yeah.” He gazes at the bracelet. “I’ve been there for her since day one. I’m lucky I get to spend as much time with her as I do.”

There is so much more to this man than meets the eye.

“Are you ready for that drink?” he asks, buttoning his suit jacket. “Are you hungry? I could go for a little food alongside our wine.”

“I’d like that.” I fish my phone out of my purse. “I need to make a call first.”

He nods, as if he understands completely that I have to check in at home. “Take all the time you need, Greer. I’m not going anywhere.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Holden

We both clearedour plates at Atlas 22. The seafood restaurant is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. It’s located in the West Village, and the owner is a great guy who appreciates all of the candies I deposit in his hand as an added tip whenever I’m in.

I didn’t have any to offer today, but he didn’t mind. He was too busy chatting with Greer about the trio of lollipops she pulled out of her purse to give to him when he mentioned his kids.

She made a point of inviting all of them to Sweet Indulgence’s store next week for a private testing of a new candy that’s about to hit the market.

Her heart, head, and soul are in that business. Jameson is a fool if he thinks she’ll ever sell her half to us.

“When you texted me earlier, you said we should talk,” I remind Greer. “Do you want to do that here or at my place?”

Her answer is swift and concise, “I want that to happen at your apartment.”

My hand immediately darts in the air to motion for the waiter to come over. “I’ll settle up.”

She scans her phone’s screen as I do that, even though it takes longer than I’d like, since the kid who served us is determined to talk baseball with me. I’m surprised he remembered that we had a brief conversation about his favorite team the last time I was in here.

As soon as he takes off, I glance at Greer. “Are you ready?”

She drops her phone into her purse and smiles. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

So am I. I have no idea what the topic of discussion will be, but I’m all in regardless. I could sit for hours and just stare at this woman. The fact that I get to do that in the comfort of my home is a bonus.

I stand and place a hand on the back of her chair as she slides it back a few inches.

She gazes up at me. “You’re kind of charming.”

“Kind of?” I laugh.

“That’s what I said.” She stands, too. “I kind of like that about you.”

I’ll take the compliment. I wish to fuck I could snap a picture of the way she’s looking at me, but if I drag my phone out of my jacket pocket now, the moment will be lost.

I stare at her to cement this moment in time to memory.

A soft smile coasts over her lips. “What are you thinking about?”

“I kind of like you too,” I say. “I kind of like everything about you.”