I didn’t reply to confirm until hours later because I was focused on helping Bridget plan her next course outline. She’s launching a special class next month at an extended care facility in Brooklyn. It’s a pro bono deal for the residents of a home where the mom of one of best friends used to live.
It’s admirable and I told her that I’d gladly do whatever I can to help out.
“Piper?” Joyce’s voice tugs me from my thoughts.
I’ve been sitting in an uncomfortable chair in the reception area of Kent & Colt for the past ten minutes. I asked Fiona if she could let Griffin know that I’m here to see him. She didn’t.
Instead, she called Joyce and left her a message to come to reception when she was free. She explained that there was a note on her desk when she arrived an hour ago telling her to direct all Griffin’s calls to Dylan.
After Fiona left to grab a coffee, I started to wonder if I should follow her out. I was about to, but now that Joyce is here, I may get my chance to see Griffin face-to-face since he didn’t show at the café.
I waited fifteen minutes before I sent him a text asking where he was. When another thirty minutes had passed with no word from him I came here expecting to find him knee deep in someone’s marital drama.
“How have you been?” Joyce walks toward me with a stack of file folders in her hands. “Griffin told me that Marco Tresoni was the jerk who robbed you. I’m not surprised. I knew something was off with that guy when he kept showing up unannounced to see Griffin.”
“I’m fine.” As thankful that I am that Marco has finally been caught, he has nothing to do with why I’m here. “I’m trying to reach Griffin.”
“You and me both.” She sets the folders on the reception desk with a thud. “He’s out of touch at the moment.”
“Out of touch?” I furrow my brow. “What does that mean? Isn’t he in his office? I only need two minutes with him. I promise I’ll be in and out in a flash.”
That lures a soft smile to her lips. “I take it this isn’t about your art class?”
I have nothing to hide from this woman. I don’t know if Griffin tries to keep his relationship status under wraps here at work, but Joyce doesn’t seem like the type to gossip. “We’ve been seeing each other.”
Her brows pop up in surprise. “Really? That’s great news, Piper. He needs a woman like you in his life.”
I like that she thinks so. I sense that they’re close even though he’s her boss. “I need to talk to him about something personal.”
She motions for me to follow her. “He’ll tell me I’m fired for disturbing him, but it’s a lie. If you two are dating, I know he’ll want to see you.”
I stand up and adjust the row of buttons on the red blouse I’m wearing before I shove my hand into the front pocket of my jeans.
“You look beautiful.” Joyce turns back to me. “Let’s go find that man of yours.”
***
“I don’t know what to say.” Joyce scratches her chin as she gazes down at Griffin’s desk. “Typically when he tells us not to disturb him, he’s in here working on a case.”
I glance back toward the hallway. “Maybe he just stepped out for a minute? Could he be in one of the other offices?”
“He’s not.” A male voice turns me around.
It’s Dylan Colt.
“Where is he?” Joyce calls from behind Griffin’s desk. “This is the Campbell file here. He’s scheduled to be in court this afternoon for the preliminary hearing.”
“He asked for a continuance.” Dylan steps into the office. “His attention was needed elsewhere.”
What the hell does that mean?
I wait for him to offer more, but he doesn’t, so I ask for clarification. “Will he be in at all today?”
“No,” Dylan says curtly. “I don’t expect him until Monday at the earliest.”
It’s Friday. He’s skipped out on his practice until next week?
My fingers flex with unwanted tension. “So his attention was needed on something other than work?”