That she’d put her practice before her own niece shouldn’t surprise him. She’d hardly spent much time with the little girl before now. But he could overcome this objection with ease. “You could come by for supper. You’d have to eat anyway.”
“At my desk, or on the run. As it is, I have to refer more clients than I like. Long dinners would put me even further behind.” Sound reasoning, but for some reason, she couldn’t meet his gaze. Perhaps she wasn’t as confident in rejecting him as she’d like him to believe.
Sure as Alix would suffer from another restless night, Griff knew he would regret this. But the words escaped before he could think them through. “I could take on some of your work, lighten your caseload.”
She stared. “I couldn’t ask you...”
“You didn’t. I’m offering.”
“Why?”
Beats the hell out of me. From the day he’d faced off against Chelsie Russell in the courtroom until the moment he’d kissed her tonight, nothing in his life had made sense. Why should it start now?
“For Alix,” he said. “Your niece.” If Chelsie’s excuses were sincere and he solved every one, she’d have no reason to turn him down. Suddenly, her acquiescence became important to him for reasons other than Alix. Reasons he wouldn’t put into words.
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it.”
“Work aside, I have other obligations to consider. Not more important, but they do exist.”
Obligations, he thought with a strange mixture of dismay and frustration. And a tinge of jealousy? “Couldn’t you explain to your boyfriend or significant other that you were doing a favor for a friend?”
She grinned, a teasing glint replacing the serious shadow in her eyes. “So you’ve elevated me to the status of friend? I’m flattered.”
“I meant Alix.”
“She’s family.” Her lips lifted again and a light chuckle escaped.
“Well?” he asked.
“Unlike you, some of us have obligations other than the social kind.”
“What kind of remark is that?” Since the day of his brother’s accident, his life had revolved around a two-year-old sprite, her whims and tantrums. Social obligations didn’t factor into the equation.
“Your reputation precedes you.”
“Do you always believe what you hear?”
“No, but coupled with my parents’ information...”
“And because they’re your parents, of course you believe them.” Since their lies had been exposed in court, he grunted at the notion. “Haven’t you learned your lesson?”
“You’re right” She sighed.
Something in her voice told him she understood her parents better than he’d realized. Coupled with the fact that she didn’t lead their wealthy, self-centered lifestyle, but had made her way on her own, he believed her.
He leaned forward in his seat.
“I’m sorry for prying,” she said. “But you did begin this inquiry into personal matters. Can’t blame me for playing the same game.”
“A little girl’s life isn’t a game.”
“That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
Truth be told, he did. “Look, I was engaged and it didn’t work out. Last I heard, a monogamous relationship couldn’t be classified as having an active social life.” When had this turned into a foray into his personal life? And why had he chosen to confide even a sparse summary to Chelsie Russell?
He shook his head. “Back to you. Couldn’t you put whatever it is on hold for a while?”
“Absolutely not.” With another sigh, she released her hair from its binding. She ran her fingers through the tangled strands. “I said I’d like to help with Alix, but I didn’t envision a scheduled commitment, one that she’d come to rely on.” Her expressive eyes glazed over and she looked beyond him to a picture on the wall.
Another woman who couldn’t handle the complications of both Griff and his niece. He should have known better than to think he could change Chelsie’s mind. All the cajoling and mutual desire in the world wouldn’t alter the status quo.
“I’ve got to get back to Alix. I heard your reasons and I accept them. Thanks anyway.” Exhaustion overcame him, seeping in like a familiar but unwelcome visitor. He’d groveled enough for one evening, and he still had to make it through another sleepless night.
Chelsie followed him down the small entryway, holding the door open as he stepped into the hall. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she looked distraught. But he had to be mistaken. Of the two of them, he’d been the one put through the emotional wringer tonight. She’d merely had the pleasure of watching.