Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Hi,” I say back, smiling like a kid in a candy store. I laugh lightly when I realize I am indeed in front of a candy store. “I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch.”
“Was it a licorice emergency?” I can hear the grin in her voice. “Or was it a caramel catastrophe?”
“Let’s hope I avoid both for the foreseeable future.”
“You and me both,” she says, her voice bright and breezy. “Speaking of which, I’m meeting with a potential new partner tomorrow. I think this may be the one.”
I’m too overwrought with emotion to ask many questions, so I ask the only one that matters to me right now. “Can you meet with me tomorrow, too?”
“Meet as in a coffee or meet as in more than a coffee?”
I’d give anything to be in a bed with her right now, but I can’t go forward with what’s building between us until we talk about Olive. “Let’s start with a coffee.”
I’m just about to tell her that I want us to drink that coffee at my apartment, but I hear rustling on her end.
“Olive had a nightmare,” she says in almost a whisper. “I need to go take care of her.”
I close my eyes and take a breath deep enough to fill my lungs with air. “Text me tomorrow to let me know what time works.”
“I will.”
“Oh, and Greer,” I begin, hoping I’m catching her before she ends the call. “Tell Olive I love the bracelet.”
“That will make her happy.” She sighs. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Holden.”
The call ends, and I stare at my phone. I’d trade my entire fortune for the opportunity to comfort Olive after she’s had a nightmare.
All I can hope for at this point is that I get the chance to do just that soon.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Greer
I adjust the collar of my blouse before I step into Palla on Fifth. The café is one of the nicest in the city. I don’t stop here often because it’s out of my way and the price of a coffee is almost double what I pay near my store.
It’s worth every last drop, though. I don’t know how they prepare it or where they source their beans, but it’s a true treat.
I spot the man I’m meeting as soon as I’m inside. His arm leaps into the air to wave me over.
Rocco Jones reached out to me yesterday after his wife stopped into Sweet Indulgence to pick up some candy for their son. Dexie Jones made an off-handed comment about how her husband should have invested in a candy store because she loves sweet treats so much. I took a shot and told her that I was actually looking for a new partner.
Twenty minutes later, Dexie left Sweet Indulgence with a bag of candy and a smile on her face. She called her husband while she was with me to tell him about my business. When she switched the call to speakerphone, I was greeted with the voice of what I could tell was a kind man.
It turns out, Rocco is an angel investor who has made it his personal business to pair with companies that are looking for someone with the financial means to take them to the next level.
He’s a tall man with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He’s dressed casually in jeans and a black button-down shirt. I admit I’m surprised given that he’s worth billions.
“Greer?” He extends a hand to me as soon as I’m close enough.
I take his hand in mine and shake it firmly. “Greer Irwin. It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Jones.”
“That’s my dad’s name.” He lets out a deep chuckle as he pulls on the back of a vacant chair across the table from where he was seated. “Why don’t we sit?”
My gaze drifts to the barista counter. I’m nervous, and one of the only ways I know to calm down is to fill myself with caffeine.
Just as I’m taking a seat, a woman with an apron tied around her waist comes over. “Hi, Rocco.”
He goes in for a hug. “Palla, how’s everyone?”
That launches them into a conversation about kids, spouses, and a family lunch that’s set for this coming Sunday.
When that ends, Palla looks toward me. “Hi, I’m so sorry. Rocco and I haven’t caught up in a bit. I’m Palla.”
“It’s good to meet you. I’m Greer.”
“What can I get for you?”
I tell her I’ll take a coffee with a shot of caramel syrup. She promises it’ll be ready in no time flat before she makes her way back to the barista counter.
“Palla is married to my cousin,” Rocco says. “We don’t see each other nearly as often as I’d like.”
I nod. “This is such a special place.”
“When we launched, I knew it was a gem.” He smiles. “I told Palla and my cousin, Arlo, we’d do great things here. We have.”