ZAYN: 10 AM. I'll text you the address tomorrow.
I notice he doesn't respond to my other question. He'sdefinitelyup to something.
"Maybe they're taking you shopping for storage boxes," Jessica suggests, glancing around at my crowded apartment. "Not very romantic, but you could use it."
I laugh. "Guess I'll find out tomorrow."
Chapter
Thirty-Two
LEXIE
Icheck the address on my phone again, confirming it matches the building in front of me. It's a sleek, modern structure in the heart of downtown, all glass and steel with a stylish lobby. Not the type of place I'd normally have any business being in.
Especially not at 10 AM on a weekday, when I should be packing orders.
Is this where the pack's next extravagant gift is waiting? After flowers and pastries and who knows what else, I'm almost afraid to find out what they've come up with now.
I push through the revolving door into a lobby with polished marble floors and a security desk. The guard looks up as I approach.
"I'm here to meet someone," I say, suddenly feeling underdressed in my jeans and sweater. "Third floor, Suite 317? The name should be under Lawson or McKinney."
The guard checks his screen, nodding. "Yes, Ms. Goodwin? They're expecting you. Elevators are to your right."
So they've been here awhile already. My curiosity deepens as I ride up to the third floor. The elevator doors open to a hallwaylined with office doors, sleek nameplates beside each one. I follow the numbers until I reach 317.
There's no nameplate yet, just the suite number on a frosted glass door. I take a deep breath, knock once, and push it open when I hear Jax's voice call, "Come in!"
I step inside and freeze, taking in the scene. It's a large, open space with high ceilings and windows that flood the room with natural light. The walls are a soft cream color, and the hardwood floors gleam under the sunlight. There's a desk pushed against one wall, a couple of clothing racks in the corner, and what looks like a photography setup near the windows.
And there are five hockey players standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, all looking strangely nervous.
"Surprise?" Aidan says, his voice lifting into a question at the end, his hands fidgeting at his sides.
Taking everything in, I try to make sense of what I'm seeing. "Oh, it's... an empty office?"
The men look at one another, and I realize I've missed something.
"Not exactly empty," Darren explains, stepping forward. "We brought in some basic furniture, but we figured you'd want to set the rest up yourself."
"Set it up?" I repeat, still confused.
"Your office," Jax clarifies, his usual confidence slightly tempered with what appears to be genuine nervousness. "Or studio, I guess would be more accurate. For your business."
My business? I stare at them, looking from one face to another, waiting for the punchline.
"If you'll accept it," Dmitri adds, his hands clasped behind his back.
The silence stretches as my brain tries to catch up. "Wait, are you serious? This is... for me?"
Zayn shrugs, aiming for casual but not quite hitting it. "Your apartment was overflowing, partly because of us. Seemed logical."
Walking further into the space, I turn in a slow circle to take it all in. Now I notice other details. A large cutting table against the far wall, industrial clothing racks, a professional steamer, and even a small photography setup for product shots. They've considered everything.
"This is..." I trail off, genuinely speechless. "I can't accept this. It's too much."
"Why not?" Aidan asks, looking like a hurt puppy.
