“Not at all. I’m free from now through lunch, if that’s okay.”
“Fine.”
Griff cleared his throat, but Chelsie refused to acknowledge their change in plans.
“Okay. Aside from where you’ll be staying, what are you willing to do?” Chelsie asked.
“Anything necessary to protect myself and my child.”
“A restraining order would be a start. Documentation of the history of abuse and pictures of any current bruises would also help. Friends’ affidavits, things that would support your case in court—if you’re willing to press charges.”
The other woman dropped her head in her hands, but when she looked up, Chelsie saw a determination she herself hadn’t had when faced with similar questions. Maybe if she’d come to her senses sooner, if she’d left Jeffrey after the first time or immediately after realizing she was pregnant, she never would have lost her baby.
Or her future, she thought, glancing at Griff.
“Whatever is necessary,” Amanda reiterated.
“Good.” Grasping her purse, Chelsie gestured towards the door. Amanda stood.
Griff rose from his seat, but Chelsie refused to even glance in his direction. She couldn’t deal with his questioning looks. Not now. He walked over and placed his arm around Amanda’s shoulders, leading her into the waiting room. “I’d like to speak with my partner. Will you be all right?” he asked.
“Fine.”
He nodded. “Help yourself to coffee.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’ll be right with you.”
Griff turned to Chelsie. Before she could make an excuse to avoid any discussion, his hand firmly grasped her wrist. “Inside,” he whispered.
Anxiety caused her to plant her feet firmly in the doorway.
“Now, please.”
Faced with the choice of upsetting Amanda with a scene or dealing with Griff, Chelsie turned and walked back into his office.
NINE
“I can’t help if you won’t talk to me.”
Chelsie stood with her back to Griff and stared out the window. A slight breeze blew the branches on the trees and she wished she were outside enjoying the end of summer, instead of being inside, subjected to an early frost.
“What happened back there?” he demanded in a no-nonsense tone.
She shrugged. “Something I ate didn’t agree with me. I’m okay now.”
He cleared his throat and she heard him restlessly pacing the carpet behind her. Though her half-answers might frustrate him, she had no choice but to stall. With a client waiting outside, she couldn’t get into personal matters, but with personal intruding on business, she realized she couldn’t put off the inevitable much longer.
“Are you sure it didn’t have something more to do with the subject matter?” he asked, his voice softening.
“Two days ago, you wouldn’t have asked me that question.”
“Two days ago, you hadn’t confided in me. Two days ago, we hadn’t made love.”
Her body heated with the memory and his genuine concern tugged at her heart. She could no longer avoid him, but she couldn’t bear a pitying look in his eyes, either. She whirled around, finally facing him, only to discover deep emotion lingered in the hazel depths. Pity was nowhere to be found.
“Tell me something, Griff. Does having sex give you the ri