"We weren't sure if you'd think it was too much," Jax admits. "Too presumptuous."
"Or that we were trying to control your business," Aidan adds.
"Or that you'd refuse the gift outright and also hate the lease idea," Zayn says.
Surveying the space again—myspace—a swell of gratitude washes over me. It’s so intense, it's almost overwhelming. They didn't just buy me something expensive. They created a solution to a real problem in my life, one that supports my independence rather than diminishing it.
"It is too much," I say finally, wiping at a traitorous tear that escapes down my cheek. "But it's incredible. And I appreciate that you understood I might not be comfortable with a gift this expensive. The lease is perfect."
Aidan looks alarmed at my tears. "Are those happy tears or sad tears? I can never tell the difference."
"Happy," I assure him with a watery laugh. "Definitely happy."
"Would now be a good time to show her the storage room?" Dmitri asks, nodding toward a door I hadn't noticed yet.
Jax nods, his smile growing. "I think she's ready."
"There's more?" I ask, unable to imagine what else they could have possibly thought of.
Darren leads me to the door, his hand warm against the small of my back. "Just a small addition."
The "storage room" turns out to be a generous secondary space, already fitted with industrial shelving units perfect for inventory organization. But what catches my breath is the far corner. They've set up a cozy sitting area with a comfortable couch, a small coffee table, and a mini-fridge.
"For when you're working late," Jax explains. "Or when you want any of us to visit without distracting you from your work."
"Though we make no promises about the distraction part," Zayn adds with a smirk.
I'm speechless. It's not just a workspace. It's a haven. Somewhere I can build my business, create my designs, and still have moments of connection with them. The perfect balance of independence and togetherness.
"How did you know?" I ask, turning to face them all. "How did you know exactly what I needed?"
"We pay attention," Dmitri says simply.
"We've seen how hard you work," Darren adds. "How your apartment has become overrun with inventory. And, uh, our gifts. Sorry about that."
"So we did something about it," Zayn concludes with a shrug, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
Maybe to them, it is. This is how they operate, five different men with five different approaches, all working together toward a common goal. In hockey, it's winning games. With me, it's making sure I have what I need to thrive.
Moving around the storage room, my fingers run along the shelving units, imagining them filled with neatly organized inventory. No more stacks of sweaters threatening to topple over. No more shipping supplies cluttering every surface. Space to breathe. Space to create.
"When can I move in?" I ask, turning back to them with a smile I can't contain.
"Today, if you want," Jax says. "The lease started yesterday."
"We can help you move your inventory," Dmitri offers. "We have a team day off tomorrow."
"And I can set up your computer and equipment," Aidan adds enthusiastically. "I'm good with tech stuff."
Looking at these five extraordinary, thoughtful, overwhelming men, something clicks into place inside me. An emotion that feels a lot like belonging.
"Thank you," I say again, the words inadequate for the emotions swirling inside me. "Not just for the space, but for... seeing me. For understanding what I need."
"Always," Darren says softly, and I can see in his eyes that he means it.
I cross the room to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my face against his chest. His arms come around me automatically, solid and secure. One by one, the others join us, until I'm surrounded in a group embrace that should feel claustrophobic but instead feels like the safest place I've ever been.
As we stand there, tangled together in the morning light of my new studio, I realize something that should terrify me but somehow doesn't.
