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)
I blow out a quick breath, relieved that this conversation is not beginning as I thought it would. “I felt a connection to her immediately. My heart knew right away when I met her.”
“I need to say something.” Her bottom lip trembles. “I don’t think I need to say it, but I think I should.”
“You can say anything to me, Greer.”
She nods briskly. “Okay. Here goes…”
I step closer to her, watching as she tucks her hands in the front pockets of her jeans before she tugs them back out quickly.
She’s a ball of nervous energy. All I want to do is wrap my arms around her and hold her close. I need her to know everything will be all right.
“Do you want me to say something first?” I ask, almost kidding.
I’m trying to break the tension of the moment by giving her an out, but it may not be what she needs.
“Yes.” Her eyes widen. “Say something, Holden.”
I don’t even consider what the next words out of my mouth should be. I just go with what has been sitting inside me for weeks now. The unspoken words that I wanted to express as soon as I saw her walk into the conference room for the first time. It was the day I found out her real name. It was also the day I realized I could have a chance with her.
“I’m falling in love with you, Greer.”
Her mouth falls open. “What?”
“I know my timing is shit.” I chuckle. “I wanted to tell you weeks ago, but I was scared. My track record with love hasn’t been great, but I know what I feel.”
She takes a tentative step toward me. “You were going to tell me before you found out about Olive?”
“Way before.”
She closes her eyes briefly. “I feel things for you, too, but it’s a lot right now. I don’t know if I can say exactly…”
“You don’t need to,” I interrupt to save her from having to tell me she can’t repeat the words I just said to her. “Your focus right now is Olive. I know that. I respect that. I love that about you.”
The sound of a phone ringing breaks the moment. I know it’s not mine because I silenced the ringer on the drive here.
“You should get it,” I say. “It could be about Olive.”
She drops her tote bag on the floor before bending over to search through it. As soon as she has the phone in her hand, she answers it. “I’m here. What’s happening?”
The person on the other end of the call says something that makes Greer look right at me.
“We’re coming,” she whispers.
More silence from her as she listens intently.
“I’m bringing Holden with me.” Her voice is strong. It’s determined. “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
My suit jacket is in my hand before the call is over.
“Olive hit her chin on the counter when she was brushing her teeth,” she says in a rush. “She’s fine, but she’s asking for me.”
“I can come with you?” I ask so there’s no misunderstanding.
“I want you to.” She holds out a hand. “I know she’d love to see you.”
I kiss her hand softly. “I’d love to see her, too.”
She motions to the friendship bracelet on my wrist. “Have you taken that off since Olive gave it to you?”
I hold up my hand, kissing one of the beads. “I never will.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Greer
“What were you going to say back at my place?” Holden asks as we descend the stairs to the main level of my home.
I glance over my shoulder at him. His suit jacket is in the kitchen along with his cufflinks. The sleeves of his white button-down shirt are rolled up to his elbows. He looks comfortable and content.
I know a lot of that has to do with the fact that he read Olive her second bedtime story of the night. She hung on every word, and when it was time for her to go to sleep, he kissed her softly on the forehead.
The tears that were streaming down his face as he walked out of her room and brushed past Bruce and Martha were all the proof I needed that he’s Olive’s dad.
As soon as we reach the kitchen, I turn to face him. “I was going to ask you not to take her away from me.”
He pulls me close, cradling the back of my head in his hand as I rest it against his chest. When I was about to ask the question earlier, I was on the cusp of tears. I don’t feel that now because I know how he feels about me.
“I’d never do anything like that,” he whispers as he holds me. “You’re her mom.”
I push back so I can look at his face. “You’re her dad.”
He nods. “We’ll get the paternity test taken care of this week.”