He looked worse than I felt. His hair was disheveled like he'd been running his hands through it. His shirt was wrinkled. Dark circles shadowed his eyes.
Good. He deserved to be unraveled. But was it about me orher?
"Katrina." He stood immediately. "Thank God. I tried reaching you all night."
"I need to talk to you about something." I stayed by the door, keeping distance between us. "It's important."
"So is what I need to say. About last night.”
"This isn't about last night."
"It should be. You need to understand."
"I need you to listen." My voice came out sharper than intended. "Please."
He stopped, jaw tight. "Fine. Talk."
I took a breath. "My childcare situation has changed. The person who's been watching my sister can't do it anymore. She's going back to school in January."
His expression shifted from frustrated to focused. "Okay?"
"Zara. She's seven. And I need," this was so hard, "I need to ask if she could stay here. I’ve talked to Maria, and her daughter will watch Zara during the day, and I'd handle everything else. She wouldn't be any trouble. You wouldn't even know she was here."
"Of course."
I blinked. "What?"
"Of course she can stay here. You didn't even have to ask." He moved around the desk. "When do you need her here?"
"After Christmas? Shanice said she'd keep her through the holidays."
"No. Bring her now. Today." His voice was firm. "Your sister should spend Christmas with you. Mikhail can pick her up this afternoon."
Something in my chest cracked. "You don't have to."
"I want to." He stepped closer. "Move into the family quarters. The ones near the kitchen. Two bedrooms, private bathroom. It's yours."
"Olek …"
"And about last night." His hand reached for me. "I need you to understand …"
I stepped back. "You don't owe me an explanation."
"I do. Adrienne is my ex. We were engaged a year ago. It didn't work out."
"You have a daughter with her."
"Mila. She's seven. Adrienne kept her from me for almost a year because …" He ran his hand through his hair. "Because she wanted me back and thought cutting off access would force my hand."
"Did it work?"
"No. It's over between us. Has been for a long time."
"She kissed you."
"I didn't kiss her back. I pushed her away immediately."
"I saw …"
