Page 39 of If You Claim Me

“At least let me get the house dolly,” Cedrick says.

“Probably a good idea since the closest bedroom is half a kilometer away,” I agree.

“There’s an elevator to the second floor,” Connor replies.

“Of course there’s an elevator,” Flip says from behind his box wall.

“You can leave those there.” Connor points across the foyer to the elevator tucked into an alcove. I somehow missed it the first two times I came here. “The staff will feel better if they can help.” He turns to me. “I thought when you said you had it covered you meant you’d already lined up movers.”

I motion to my friends, who are also his teammates. “Who needs movers when you have hockey players?”

“I would have come to help if I’d realized this was your plan.”

I can’t tell if he’s hurt or embarrassed or some other emotion. I suppose I could have been more forthcoming, but considering our last conversation, this was the preferred option.

“Oh wow! This place is amazing!” Hammer rolls one of my suitcases into the foyer.

“So cool!” Rix follows with another.

“The architecture is unreal.” Hemi adds a box to Flip’s pile by the elevator.

“It’s like a princess’s castle.” Essie sets a tote next to the boxes and bats her lashes at Nate.

He adds his own boxes to the growing pile and whispers something in her ear. I look away as Essie grabs the front of his shirt and pulls his mouth to hers. I never really believed myself capable of the kind of love my friends and their partners share, and now it seems even more out-of-reach.

“Connor, your family has a beautiful home.” Lexi offers him a smile.

“My grandfather built it.” Connor rubs the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable as more people pile into the grand foyer, including Tristan, Dallas, Roman, and Hollis.

My friend invasion is intentional. I knew I’d have to move in eventually, but I figured we’d be married first. If I don’t get time to find my equilibrium, neither does Connor. My friends and Iare a package deal, and he needs to get used to them being around.

“You want to give us the grand tour?” Flip asks.

“It’s more than twenty-thousand square feet. It would be a long tour,” Connor mutters.

“Right.” Flip gives me a look that says,one of us is trying. “I’ll just grab some more boxes.”

Before Flip can make good on that, several men appear out of nowhere, wearing polo shirts with name tags that bear the same logo that adorns the front gate. They’re carrying more of my things.

“Do all of these people work for you?” Rix asks.

“This is the grounds and maintenance crew. The property spans several acres, so we have a full staff.” Connor’s eyes slide my way, maybe assessing my reaction to how extra his life is.

“That’s wild,” Rix muses.

“It’s definitely next-level,” I murmur.

“You’ll adjust,” he replies.

I make a noncommittal noise. That’s an honest concern.

“I believe there may be perishables in here, Mr. Grace.” Two men appear in the doorway, each holding one handle of a massive cooler.

“I brought lunch!” Rix exclaims. “I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s amazing, thank you,” I assure her before Connor can jump in with one of his blunt replies. “Maybe we should take the food to the kitchen. I’m sure Rix would love to see it.”

“That would be great!” Rix is vibrating with excitement.