“I think it’s perfect.” I beamed.
Every morning I was going to wake up in this room, with this view. I leaned on the windowsill. The deck wrapped around to this side of the house. A door from the bedroom led to the deck, which was oddly placed, but I thought added some quirky charm.
“You said you brought your bedroom set, right?” Grey asked from behind me.
I nodded. There were all kinds of things in that truck. Suddenly, I was glad I packed so much for the kitchen. We were going to need it.
“Ok, I’ll go grab your bag, since I didn’t give you that chance last night, and then I’ll start unloading.”
“But, you can’t carry mattresses and my desk by yourself.” Don’t get me wrong, Grey was strong, but that was too much even for those beautiful muscles.
“Darlin’, I’ve got it all taken care of.” He kissed me before he strolled out of the room. “Be back in a few minutes.”
I watched as he jogged down the stairs and cut through the same path in the dunes I had used last night. Grey seemed genuinely excited to see me, and not just for the hot sex. I was secretly worried that once I showed up, he would retreat into his hermit shell, build up his defensive walls, and decide moving in together was a god-awful idea. After last night, that seemed absurd.
Five minutes later, Grey appeared with my overnight bag. “Here you go.”
I placed the bag under the window, and unzipped it in search of my cosmetics bag. I was looking forward to a shower with my own soap and shampoo.
“I’m going to take a shower, and then I can help you unload everything.” I gathered my things and walked into the bathroom.
“Take your time. I’m sure you’re tired. I can get the stuff in the house. Oh, I put some towels under the sink.” He winked then darted down the hall.
The shower sputtered, and the pipes started to howl when I turned on the hot water. I guess all houses have their special sounds. I lathered my hair with shampoo and coated my legs with shaving cream before running a razor over each one.
Today was moving day, but I still wanted to feel like a girly-girl. I turned off the water and wrapped myself in a towel. I stifled a giggle. These looked a lot like the ones Grey ordered for the Palm.
Feeling more like myself than I had in three days, I walked out onto the driveway balcony, amazed at the size of the truck I had driven. I knew it was big, but when I saw it take up the entire driveway and stick out into the street, I realized it was a monster.
“Carolina!” I heard Pick’s voice yell from somewhere in the truck.
“Pick?”
I raced down the stairs. Connor and Pick each had a box in hand, and they were making a stack next to the stairs.
“Hold on, girl. Let me put this down so I can hug your neck.” Pick placed the cardboard box on top of another one then wrapped me in a hug.
“Don’t squish her, man.” Connor tapped me on the shoulder, before his arms circled my waist. “Glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” I looked around for Marin. She had to be here too. “Where’s Marin?”
Pick laughed. “Oh, don’t worry. She’ll be here in a second.”
Connor jabbed his friend in the ribs. “Does she know?”
My eyes darted between the pair. “Know what?” Everyone was full of secrets these days.
“I’ll let Marin tell you when she gets here.” Pick turned to walk up the truck’s ramp. “Connor, get over here and help me with the desk.”
I placed my hands on my hips. I wasn’t getting anything out of these two. I waited for them to pass before I reached for a box.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?” Grey jumped in front of me, wrestling the box from my hands.
“I’m unloading the truck.”
“No, the boys and I have a handle on this. Why don’t you start unpacking?”
I looked at him. Part of me was relieved not to carry heavy boxes of books or dishes up to the second story living space, but the other part of me was worried I had just entered the land of traditional sexism.
“I can handle carrying boxes, Grey.” I turned to find another one.
“I know you can handle it. That’s not what I meant.” He sighed. “Look, I have no idea what to do with everything in the boxes. I just thought it would go faster if we unload the truck and you unload the boxes. But, if you insist on lugging the damn boxes up the stairs, have it your way.”
He walked down the ramp, two boxes in his arms, and started up the flight of stairs that led to the kitchen.
I swallowed hard. Day one and I had already put my foot in my mouth. I clutched the box in my arms and followed him up the steps.
Boxes were strewn around the living room and on top of the kitchen counter. Pick and Connor walked from the hallway.
“We put the desk in that front room.” Pick smiled.
“Thank you.” I felt like a complete idiot.