Perfect Partners(46)
Author: Carly Phillips

He sat behind his large mahogany desk, looking formidable and imposing.

“Morning,” she said.

“How are you?”

“Fine.” She wiped her palms on her skirt.

“About ready for your trip?”

She nodded. “May I?” She pointed to the couch.

When he nodded, she lowered herself onto a cushion and motioned for him to join her.

He did, seating himself beside her. His thigh brushed hers. The familiar smell of his cologne warmed her and she closed her eyes, allowing herself a brief journey into the recent past before she opened them again. “Things weren’t all bad, were they?”

He shook his head. “After you got over the shock of agreeing to help out I’d have to say things went fairly well.”

“Fairly?” She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow and he gave an obligatory grunt. “I was one heck of a baby-sitter.”

He chuckled, letting her know he agreed. “What do you mean, were?” he asked, his voice sobering.

“This isn’t going to work, is it?”

He sucked in a breath.

“Don’t tell me you’re shocked.” She placed a hand over her heart, attempting to lighten the mood with humor. “You’re the one who told me you wanted a temporary arrangement. Alix is doing great now. You should be proud.”

“So should you.”

She shook her head. “All she ever needed was you. I was just your safety net. You thought she needed me and that helped you get through the tough times. But you did it on your own.” Her hand covered his and she tried to memorize its feel and texture. “You did your brother proud, too.”

Chelsie swallowed a convulsive sob, determined to get through this without a scene. She’d have plenty of time on the plane and in Florida to cry her heart out. “We agreed to agree when to end this arrangement. I think the time has come. I’ll make arrangements with Mrs. Baxter to see Alix during the day while you’re up here.”

Pain lurked in his eyes, but Chelsie couldn’t help him. He’d have to find his way on his own.

“We’re partners,” he said.

“I think I mentioned what a stupid thing it is to mix business and pleasure, didn’t I?” she asked with a fake smile.

His eyes clouded over and Chelsie knew that he, too, was recalling their times together, good and bad. She’d spent the week getting used to the idea, assuring herself that parting company was the only solution. Though Griff could add her to the list of women in his life who had abandoned him, she had the distinction of being the only one who hadn’t done so willingly. He wouldn’t let her in.

“Pleasure, huh?” he finally asked.

“Oh, yeah. But you were there, so you must remember.”

If only he could forget. So why couldn’t he let the good times be enough?

She glanced at her watch. “It’s time.”

Griff knew she meant more than just catching a plane.

“We’ll sort out the details when I get back, okay?”

He nodded, at a loss for words. How did you sort out two lives that had become one?

“Before I go, I’ll teach you how to make coffee. You need that cup of decaf in the morning. You’ll never survive on that mud your secretary makes. Left alone, you’ll overdose on caffeine.”

He brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. At least she hadn’t pulled back this time. “Thanks for caring.”

“You know I do.” She rose from her seat. “No, maybe you don’t,” she murmured, shaking her head.

He let her statement pass.

“Have a good flight” And a good life.

“Thanks.” Her voice was a mere whisper.

“ ‘Bye.”

She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. Knowing he was taking unfair advantage, he turned his face at the last moment so her lips met his. She sucked in a surprise breath before her lips parted, taking him inside. He drank in the taste of her, knowing that he’d never have her again.

When she lifted her head, tears shimmered in her eyes.

A car horn honked. She flashed him a brief smile, one he couldn’t return. She turned and walked out.

He stood at the window and watched her get into the waiting cab. She’d be back in three days and out of his life on the fourth. He had only himself to blame. Somehow, the knowledge made things worse.

* * *

The phone rang during Sunday morning’s breakfast. Griff dove for the receiver, lifting it on the first ring. “Chelsie?”

“Wrong answer.”

“Ryan. I’ll talk when you get here.” In no mood to deal with his friend, Griff hung up. Three days had passed in which he hadn’t heard from Chelsie. He hadn’t expected to, but he had hoped. Considering he didn’t know what he’d say to her should she decide to call, he ought to be grateful for her distance. He wasn’t.

He sat back down at the table.

“Pancakes?” Mrs. Baxter asked.

With a shake of his head, he declined. “Just coffee. After this endless weekend, I could use some.”

The older woman smiled and handed him a cup. “Decaf.” Her eyes twinkled with delight. “Miss Russell said to make sure you stayed away from the hard stuff.”

If she didn’t intend to stick around, why the hell did Miss Russell care what he drank? Rationally, he realized his anger at Chelsie made little sense. He’d driven her away and caused her to break up the partnership. This morning, however, he wasn’t feeling particularly rational.

Alix was in a rotten mood. The little girl whined, cried, and acted out in every way imaginable. She hadn’t stopped asking for Chelsie. For Mommy, he silently amended. The word had been on the child’s lips morning, noon, and night. And Griff knew without question that this time she wasn’t referring to Shannon. Alix wanted Chelsie. And she wasn’t the only one. After an entire weekend without a break, Griff’s nerves were shot. He needed some peace and quiet.

“Milk,” Alix said, pointing to a plastic cup on the counter. He handed her the cup, which Alix immediately knocked over. Milk spilled over the high chair onto the floor and splattered on his jeans and shirt. Frustrated, he opened his mouth to yell, but Alix beat him to it screaming at the top of her lungs.

“I’ll handle it. Go for a walk. Take a break or something,” Mrs. Baxter said. “You haven’t let me earn my keep the entire weekend. Whatever you’re running from, it’s bound to catch up with you sometime. Why not deal with it now?”