Page 138 of If You Love Me

Ihold the door open for the guys as they file into my penthouse.

“This one says Callie’s bedroom,” Flip’s voice comes from behind a large cardboard box.

“Second door on the right,” Peggy replies. “It’s a pink room. You can’t miss it.” She was the one who suggested it for Callie.

Tristan and Nate are on his heels. “We’re heading there, too.”

Hollis and Ash are next. “We have stuff for Lexi’s office.”

“Those can go in my office.”

“Got it.” They keep moving.

“I’ll show Dallas where Fee’s room is.” Peggy motions for him to follow her.

I put the door stopper down and check on Lexi in the kitchen. “How’s it going?”

“I can’t believe how much stuff we have.” Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, flyaways sticking to her temples. She props her fists on her hips, surveying the stack on the floor. “I don’t know why I bothered to pack any of this. You already have a stocked kitchen, and your stuff is way nicer than mine.”

A week or so after the wedding, once Callie had recovered, we broached the subject of the move with the girls. As predicted,Callie was all for it, and Fee was less excited. We brought them to my place for dinner the next night so they could see the house and the spare rooms. Peggy is thrilled that Callie fell in love with the princess pink space that was once hers. Fee grudgingly admitted she liked the room we suggested could be hers.

With Lexi on leave until the internal review is complete, she’s had more free time than she’d like, so it took less than a week to pack up the contents of their condo. Today is move-in day.

“We’ll sort through it, and whatever we don’t need we can donate.” Or we can put it in storage depending on what Fee’s post high school plan is. “We’re almost done unloading the truck, and the girls are picking up the food. We don’t have to unpack everything today.”

“I know. As long as the girls’ rooms are set up, I’ll feel reasonably settled, and hopefully so will they.”

“It’s okay if it takes some time for them to acclimate.”

“The housewarming committee has arrived!”

Rix, Essie, Hemi, Tally, and Dred appear, laden with not only takeout bags from Callie and Fee’s favorite restaurant, but also wrapped gift boxes.

“What’s all this?” Lexi’s brows furrow.

“Housewarming gifts for the girls,” Dred explains. “We know this has been a lot for all of you and we wanted to get them something special for their new home.”

“You’re doing so much already. You didn’t need to buy presents.” Lexi bites her lips together. It’s what she does when she’s fighting to keep her emotions in check.

“We brought food and went shopping. The guys are doing the hard work.” Hemi gives me a side hug. “Besides, they’ll use it as a workout replacement.”

“And honestly, I’ll find any reason I can to order a cake from Just Desserts,” Rix adds.

“I’ve considered pretending to be engaged for an excuse to test their cakes,” Essie admits.

“I’m zero percent surprised to hear this,” Rix deadpans.

“I happen to love their cakes—and also unpacking,” Dred says.

“Can you point me in Fee’s direction?” Tally asks. “I want to see her room.”

“Third door on the right, just after Barbie’s dream bedroom.” Peggy motions toward the hall.

Shilpa appears in the doorway and walks directly to Lexi and me, offering us both an uncertain smile, which is unusual for her. “I know I’ve been quiet in the Babe chat, but I have a line to toe.”

Lexi’s expression softens. “I understand that your allegiance is to the team.”

“It is.” Shilpa takes Lexi’s hands. “But outside of the office, you have my and Ash’s full support, okay?”

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