Perfect Partners(34)
Author: Carly Phillips

* * *

Early Saturday morning, Griff buzzed her apartment from downstairs. Chelsie had barely enough time to shower and change after her night at the woman’s shelter downtown before he’d arrived. She let him and Alix, who swung monkey-style from his left arm, into her apartment.

“You know, you’re becoming a master at avoidance techniques.”

“Good morning to you, too,” she said, but she nodded. “I can see how you’d think that, but take a look at my schedule for the last week and tell me where we could have fit in time for a long, personal, important conversation.”

“We couldn’t, which brings me back to my original point. Did you arrange the week on purpose?”

“To avoid you? No. To make sure Amanda got settled at the shelter? Yes.” She had spent three of the last four nights there, helping the other woman out and even getting to know her little boy. In between, she’d fit in quick dinners with Alix, not to mention her already scheduled appointments. She’d seen Griff constantly, but not once had they been alone.

“I respect your work. I just think we have unfinished business.”

Again, she nodded. She couldn’t avoid him much longer. In truth, she didn’t want to. She respected him too much to continue as they’d been. “We just need to find some quiet time—”

As if on cue, Alix squealed loudly, released Griff, and scrambled into Chelsie’s arms. The little girl wouldn’t be ignored. Chelsie laughed. “See?”

With an exasperated groan, Griff gave in and grinned before glancing at his watch. “I’ve got to go. Are you sure you can handle this? I can call Ryan. He’d understand.”

“I think I’ve had enough practice.”

“What if she needs a nap? She’s still in a crib.”

“I’ll put her in my bed, surround her with pillows, and I won’t leave her alone.” She held up her hands. “Promise.”

Restless and bored with the adult conversation, Alix bolted for the living room. Chelsie let her go.

“What about all that crystal?” His gaze swept the expanse of her apartment. His reluctance to leave Alix in this crystal palace was a tangible thing. The little girl rushed from place to place, lifting each animal and replacing it with a heavy thud.

“Alix!” he shouted.

Chelsie jabbed her elbow into his side. “Leave her alone. She isn’t doing anything wrong. Maybe I should have taken the things down, for safety’s sake, but as long as I’m here, she’s fine. Just go.”

“Are you sure you’re feeling better?”

Though she tried, Chelsie couldn’t suppress a smirk. “I had a slight cold and worked straight through. You, on the other hand, took to bed. Obviously, I have more stamina.”

He groaned at the words she’d been teasing him with all week.

She sent him a reassuring smile. “Good-bye,” she said in a lilting voice. Placing her hands on his back, she shoved him towards the door. A denim jacket separated her fingers from his skin, but heat radiated through her anyway. Just being near Griff was akin to lighting a quick-burning fire.

“I’ll be back around four.”

“We’ll be here.”

“In one piece?”

Chelsie rolled her eyes. He took the hint and left, closing the door behind him.

Chelsie glanced at Alix. “How about your first all-girl shopping trip?” she asked her niece. “I know this great place in Faneuil Hall. All teddy bears, soft and cuddly like you.” Chelsie tickled the child’s tummy until she shrieked in delight.

The ringing of the telephone cut off any further play and Chelsie grabbed for the receiver. “Hello?”

Silence greeted her. She wondered if Griff had called to check from his car phone already. “Hello?” she said again. “Griff?” No answer. “Bad connection,” she muttered. She had a hard time dialing out from her mobile phone around here too.

“Serves Uncle Griff right for not trusting us,” Chelsie said. She looked at Alix. “But we love him anyway, right?”

* * *

When Griff reached Chelsie’s apartment, he found the door ajar. “That woman needs a keeper,” he muttered to himself. A role he wouldn’t mind applying for himself. All afternoon, his mind had been on the two females he’d left behind. Though he trusted Chelsie with Alix, he didn’t trust his niece in Chelsie’s apartment. More than once, his own mother had nearly throttled Griff or Jared if they’d even looked at one of her souvenirs.

The one time Jared had done real damage to a precious trinket, Griff had taken the blame for his kid brother. A mere three days later, his mother had walked out for good. Since then, Griff’s taste and eye had been honed by years of making money and dealing with women who respected little else. The items in Chelsie’s place appeared more valuable than those coveted by his mother.

As he stepped into the tiled entryway, hushed voices and soft giggles drifted towards him. Not wishing to interrupt, Griff entered the apartment quietly and came upon a sight that not only astounded him, but altered his perception of reality.

The glass cocktail tables that previously occupied the center of the living room had been haphazardly pushed aside. Every glass and crystal animal, numbering twenty or more, sat on the carpet surrounding his niece. Alix held two in her hands and proceeded to bang them together like cymbals. He winced each time they struck. The lead inside the crystal must have prevented them from shattering.

“Don’t, sweety. You’ll get hurt.” Chelsie gently pried the animals from the little girl’s grasp. Where he was worried about Chelsie’s things, she was worried about the little girl’s safety. The discrepancy should have surprised him, but didn’t.

“Okay. Teddy bear,” Chelsie said.

Alix lifted an animal off the floor.

“Fish. Try again.”

As he took a step towards them, something crunched under his feet. The noise drew their attention from the menagerie on the floor.

“Griff!” Chelsie jumped up to greet him. The joy in her voice was unmistakable and he was glad he’d entered in silence. She’d had no time to think, so her spontaneous gesture had been genuine. A warm yet alien feeling flooded his heart. For the first time, Griff felt like he’d come home.

Alix darted around Chelsie’s legs and ran into his arms. The child’s unconditional love never ceased to amaze him and enabled him to give in return.

“Hi, ladies. How was your day?”