Perfect Partners(53)
Author: Carly Phillips

“Are you saying you missed her?”

“You know I did.” She inhaled, drawing on her stored energy. She’d be working in this house, but she wouldn’t be playing mommy anymore. The thought hurt. “That’s why we also need to work out scheduled times for me to see her, so she has some regularity in her life.”

She closed her eyes, realizing that she’d just given Griff more proof that her niece was a priority in her life. She was beginning to understand why he would never believe she loved him unconditionally and apart from his guardianship of Alix.

“Maybe.”

Her eyes opened wide. She’d never really expected him to deny her request, but she’d fight him if he did.

“After we settle one thing.”

Alix jumped off her lap and walked over to the cocktail table, pulling a thick magazine onto the floor. She contented herself ripping pages out of the center one at a time. Chelsie wanted to laugh, but she couldn’t focus on anything but Griff’s words.

“Settle what?”

He leaned against the wall. He’d pushed the sleeves of his navy sweater around his forearms and stuffed his hands into the front pocket of his khaki pants. “How much do you love her?”

“Is this a trick question?” Too much and she would prove Griff’s accusation correct. Too little and he’d begrudge her time with Alix.

“No. Just give me an honest answer.”

She nodded, deciding to tell him the truth. Except for liberal visiting privileges, she had nothing left to lose. “As much as if she were my own daughter, if not more.”

“Me, too.” He smiled, an open, honest smile that was so devastating in its impact that Chelsie almost forgot to breathe.

He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you. And I was looking for excuses to drive you away. But not anymore.”

“No?” She gazed at him through narrowed eyes. Never in her life had Chelsie wanted to believe in anyone or anything as badly as she wanted to believe Griff, but the hurt he’d inflicted still ran deep.

“Never again.” He brushed her lips with his, then rested his forehead against hers. “I barely remember who I was before I met you. I’d already been lost when Jared died. Afterwards, I went through the motions of living for Alix’s sake. But she wasn’t doing so hot, either, so we turned to you. And you saved us both.”

She shook her head in denial.

“Yes. We all started to live again. Even you. You’d buried yourself in that damned apartment and made sure you had enough work to cover every hour of every day. You didn’t have to remember and you didn’t have to feel.” He lifted his head and looked in her eyes. “Just like me.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words lodged in her throat. He was giving her everything she wanted, but she still couldn’t believe he’d changed his mind overnight. More importantly, she still couldn’t give him the children he both wanted and deserved. “What are you saying?” she asked.

“That I love you. I know I’ve given you every reason not to trust me or what I say, but that’s past. And I plan to prove it.”

“Griff, I…”

He placed a warm finger over her lips. “Not another word. I wanted you to hear the words. Believing them will come.”

How had he known what she was thinking? Her heart pounded painfully in her chest. She’d learned what was important in life. Love, family, and trust were the things that counted most. She and Griff had the first two, but something important was missing. He hadn’t trusted her at the moment she’d needed him most.

How could she know for sure he wouldn’t rip away her security once again? How could she know he wouldn’t come to resent her for not being able to give him the family he said he wanted?

Griff studied her intently, those dark eyes imploring her to believe.

He’d secured their partnership despite her belief that it was over. She wondered if he could do the same for the rest of their lives.

* * *

Chelsie stood by the copy machine, waiting as it spewed out pages of a deposition transcript. With Griff in court this afternoon, the office was quiet No hum of his low voice on the telephone, no incessant questions about family law and basic interviewing technique—questions he could have figured out for himself at this point, since Amanda had spread word of Griff and Chelsie’s practice throughout the women’s shelter. In just one short week, he carried his share of their workload and handled each case in a unique manner appropriate to the individual client. He was doing well and didn’t need her opinion on every minute detail, yet he asked anyway.

An excuse to be near her. She’d recognized his ploy for what it was, had even called him on it once. He’d merely laughed and reminded her dinner was at six. No excuses allowed.

That was another thing. Laughter came freer and more often around here now, for them both. She caught herself smiling at the thought. Was this what was called building trust? If so, she liked it.

The office doorbell rang. She glanced at her watch. Four-thirty, last delivery for the day. If the package contained the documents she thought, she’d be up for the better part of the night preparing for a deposition tomorrow. If not, she’d be asking for a delay.

She opened the door.

“For you,” the delivery man said.

“Thanks, Frank.”

“Sign here. This one’s your signature only.”

She raised an eyebrow and did as he asked.

“Have a good one.” He turned and headed back down the path.

Curious, she tore open the seal, pulled out the official documents inside, and began to read. Custody papers. Legal, valid change-of-custody papers for the minor child Alix Stuart.

Chelsie’s heart slammed in rapid rhythm against her rib cage. She’d wondered if Griff could possibly cement their future by convincing her he believed she loved him separate and apart from her feelings for her sister’s child. She’d wondered if he’d change his mind about not wanting children of his own. And now she knew.

* * *

“I’m telling you, women aren’t worth the effort,” Ryan muttered. He grabbed a can of cola from the refrigerator and sank into the nearest kitchen chair.

“Big change in tune. Guess your latest girlfriend dumped you,” Griff said with a laugh.

Ryan shrugged. “She couldn’t stand the hours.” He took a swig of his drink and kicked his feet out in front of him.

Following his friend’s cue, Griff loosened the knot on his constricting tie. “Ever think of settling down?” Griff asked.