"Attentive," she repeats flatly. "That's the word you're going with? Because I seem to recall you saying you couldn't go out to coffee Monday because you couldn't walk, and we both know why that is."
I can't help the laugh that bursts out of me. "You're terrible."
"I'm right," she counters, taking another bite of pastry. "So, what's next? When are you seeing them again?"
I sit down on the couch, moving aside a vase of daisies to make room. "Friday night I'm going to their place for the weekend. But I'm also going on individual dates with each of them over the next couple of weeks."
Jessica raises an eyebrow. "Getting to know them one-on-one? Smart."
"That's the idea," I agree. "They're all so different. I want to understand who they are individually, not just as a pack."
"And when's the next big hockey trip?" she asks, reaching for another pastry. "Luke mentioned something about Vancouver?"
"Two weeks away," I confirm, feeling a flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach. "They've invited me to go with them. I think I'm ready. I want to get to know them better, see what they're like in their professional environment."
"You'll be a busy girl," Jessica observes, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Five men, a business to run, road trips... you sure you can handle all that?"
"I'm already in talks to hire someone to help with the business," I admit. "I can definitely afford it, now that sales are booming. A part-time assistant to handle shipping and customer service. I've been needing to do it for a while anyway. Just a matter of finding a decent place that's actually available in this market."
"Look at you, expanding the empire," Jessica says, pride evident in her voice. "Mom and Dad are going to flip when they find out about..." she waves her hand to encompass the flower-filled apartment, "all of this."
I groan, dropping my head into my hands. "I haven't even thought about how to explain this to them."
"Just introduce them one at a time," Jessica suggests, grinning. I'm not surprised she's taking this all in stride. "Startwith Darren, then maybe six months later, 'Oh, by the way, I'm also dating his entire pack now.' It'll be the scandal of the HOA."
"You're not helping," I mutter, but I'm smiling despite myself.
My phone chimes with a new text. I glance at the screen to see Zayn's name.
ZAYN: Did you get the flowers?
Jessica peers over my shoulder. "Is that one of your boy toys?"
"They're not boy toys," I protest, but I can feel the blush spreading across my cheeks. "And yes, it's Zayn."
I snap a quick picture of my flower-filled living room and send it to him.
LEXIE: Yes, and then some. I barely have room for sweaters anymore.
ZAYN: Oops. Well, our next present might fix that. Can you meet us tomorrow morning downtown?
I stare at the message, equal parts intrigued and wary. "What are they doing now?" I mutter.
"What's up?" Jessica asks, peering at my phone again.
"They want me to meet them downtown tomorrow morning," I explain. "Apparently they have another present that might 'fix' my space issues."
Jessica's eyes widen. "Holy shit, are they buying you a bigger apartment?"
"What? No," I say automatically, but then hesitate. They wouldn't do that, would they? "No," I repeat more firmly. "That would be insane."
"You're dating five professional hockey players who are all obsessed with you," Jessica points out. "I think we left 'sane' behind a while ago."
She has a point.
I text him back.
LEXIE: What are you up to? But yes, I can meet you. Where and when?
