All He Really Needs(46)

Everything in her life was fine. Fine.

And once they found the heiress, things would go back to normal. They had to because she wasn’t sure how much more upheaval she could take.

For now, she just wanted to get through this meeting with Sharlene without incident.

But as the elevator doors opened, she could still feel the tension in Griffin. She could feel him watching her carefully. To smooth things over, she gave Griffin a playful nudge in the ribs as they walked into the reception area of Sheppard Capital. “Wow. Clearly breaking up with your father was a good move for Sharlene.”

“Yep. Unless she preferred to be penniless and powerless,” Griffin quipped as he guided her farther inside.

She was acutely aware of the feeling of his hand at the small of her back. Even though he was barely touching her, she felt each fingerprint like it was a brand on her bare skin.

To distract herself, she asked, “What exactly was she doing as your father’s assistant that she managed to go from that job to this one? Because suddenly I feel like I’m not pulling my weight.”

Griffin chuckled. “Don’t worry. I seriously doubt Sharlene had any skills as an assistant that you don’t have. But you have to remember Sheppard Capital was in serious trouble when Jack Sheppard died unexpectedly. The company needed anyone they could get. Sharlene stepped in to get it done. I don’t think she had any special skills or knowledge. She’s the CFO because she’s earned it. Because she’s fought tooth and nail to keep it going.”

“You almost sound like you admire her.”

“Almost?” he asked with an arched eyebrow. He then approached the desk of Sharlene’s assistant, introduced himself and Sydney and asked to see Sharlene.

At the mention of Griffin’s last name, the assistant’s lips curled away from her teeth a little, like she found him distasteful, even though she felt obliged to offer him a seat. For the first time since they’d set off on this little adventure, it occurred to Sydney that it might be strange for them to just show up at Sharlene’s office without an appointment. It was like opposing armies in a great battle. One didn’t just show up in the enemy’s camp without first sending an envoy to establish safe passage.

“Have a seat,” the assistant said, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’ll see if she’s available.”

In her head, Sydney translated: have a seat while I verify that my boss would never stoop low enough to see you.

Just a few days ago, Sydney might have thought Griffin didn’t even notice the woman’s unpleasant reaction, but she knew him well enough now to realize that he probably did but wasn’t showing it.

Sydney stood there, feeling suddenly nervous, knowing that the assistant was no doubt sending an instant message to Sharlene, wherever she was. It was what she had done whenever someone showed up unexpectedly and wanted to see Dalton. It was an easy and silent way to find out if he wanted to see the person or have them sent on their way.

Whatever response Sharlene had given was not what the assistant expected because a moment later she glanced from her computer screen over to them, her expression equal parts confusion and suspicion. Before she could say anything, the door to Sharlene’s office flew open.

“Griffin, dear!”

The woman who stood there—Sharlene, presumably—looked to be in her early fifties. She had platinum-blond, carefully styled hair. Everything about her, from her hair to her flawless skin to her elegant pantsuit, spoke of a woman who knew how to take care of herself and spared no expense in doing so.

She took a few steps into the front office, then held out her arms wide. With obvious affection in his expression, Griffin stood, then met Sharlene halfway across the office. Despite the sizable heels on Sharlene’s pumps, the woman barely came up to his shoulder.

Sydney was reminded all over again how very tall Griffin was. At just over five-nine, she wasn’t a small woman herself, but she’d quickly gotten used to the fact that Griffin was at least five inches taller than she. Griffin was the first man she’d ever dated who had made her feel delicate and feminine. However, beside Sharlene, Griffin looked like a giant. He even lifted her clear off her feet for a moment before setting her gently back to the ground.

Sydney glanced over at Sharlene’s assistant, who looked as shocked as Sydney felt by the unexpected display of affection.

Finally, Sharlene released Griffin—but kept a motherly hand on his arm. “Come in, come in.”

Griffin started to follow Sharlene into the office, then glanced back at Sydney, giving her a nod to indicate that she should follow.

Sydney watched Sharlene’s expression as she rose to follow them. Disapproval flickered over the woman’s face but was quickly replaced with a distant but polite smile.