She nodded, impressed with his ability to put someone else first. Impressed with him. “I’ll sit in.”
He shook his head. “Not just sit in. I’ll take my cues from you.”
She knew it was a big concession. “I’m glad you realize your client’s needs come first. You’ll be handling these cases alone in no time.”
“When, Chelsie?”
“There’s no time frame for these kinds of things. See how you feel after today and...”
He cut her off with an abrupt wave of her hand. “I meant when can we talk about us?”
His definition of temporary and hers differed greatly. She gripped the edge of her desk, unable and unwilling to delve into her heart and soul just yet. “Later.”
His eyes narrowed at her words. “Pick a time.”
A knock sounded at the door. She took a step forward, but he was faster, stepping into her path. His large body blocked her chance of moving forward and his waist came into sudden contact with hers. She let out a startled gasp. The knock came, louder this time.
“Just a second,” Griff called. He fingered the pink bow on her silk shirt His hand grazed her cheek. “Pick a time.”
“Lunch,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Perfect” He took two steps backwards, watching as she smoothed her bow with what she knew were shaking hands. “Do you want to get that or should I?” he asked.
“I’ve got it” She needed the few seconds to compose herself. Chelsie brushed past him and opened the door.
A woman around Chelsie’s age stood before them. “Hi. I’m early, but I had to take the bus and I wasn’t sure how long it would take.”
“Come in,” Chelsie said. “Welcome to Russell and Stuart.”
“Stuart and Russell,” Griff said from behind, but she heard the laughter in his voice.
“We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but come on in.” Chelsie waved the woman inside.
She entered, her eyes never leaving Chelsie’s face. Reassurance was important. Chelsie understood that firsthand.
“We can talk in my office,” Griff said, taking charge.
“Unless you’d be more comfortable out here,” Chelsie said, giving the woman choices she’d probably been lacking lately.
Their client looked from Chelsie to Griff and back again. “His office is fine, if you come.”
Chelsie nodded and the woman stepped back to allow Griff to lead her through the waiting area into his office. Despite the wariness in the woman’s eyes, Chelsie noticed a regal bearing, a notch of pride that hadn’t yet been taken from her.
Watching them precede her, Chelsie saw their surroundings as if for the first time. A worn couch, plush but unobtrusive beige carpet, a small reception area, a coffee machine and water cooler. Except for the massive oak desk he’d taken before leaving his old partnership behind, Griff’s private office looked much the same.
She suppressed a smile. Until now, she hadn’t realized how Griff had decorated to suit his new clientele. No luxuries to make those without feel out of place, but chic enough to allow people with money to believe they’d sought out an equal in their attorney. Much like the downstairs unit he and Alix called home, this place spoke of class that had nothing to do with status and everything to do with its owner.
Chelsie waited for the woman to seat herself before settling in the chair next to hers. Instead of retreating behind his imposing desk, Griff chose a spot on the couch. The woman seemed to relax a bit. Again, Chelsie had to commend his instincts.
“Would you like to take off your coat?” Chelsie asked.
The woman shrugged off an expensive-looking burgundy silk jacket, proof that spousal abuse crossed economic and social boundaries. How well she knew that. “Mrs... “ Chelsie paused. She had forgotten to check Griff s appointment book for the woman’s name, if she had even given it.
“Amanda.”
“Okay.” From experience, Chelsie knew that being on a first-name basis gave her clients the impression of anonymity while they decided whether they trusted her enough to tell all. “You called us, Amanda, so what can we do for you?”
“I know I set this appointment up with Mr. Stuart...”
“I can leave you alone if you’re comfortable now,” Chelsie offered in a soft voice. Inspiring trust was the only way to insure a client’s confidence.
“No!”
“Okay. Why don’t you start at the beginning?”
The woman gripped the edges of her chair until her knuckles turned white. “I have a little boy,” she whispered. “If it weren’t for him, I don’t know if I’d be here.”