Page 11 of Line Change

“Hey, love.” I peek into Sutton’s office, relieved to see her sitting behind her desk.

“Hi,” she greets me, setting her pen down.

I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans so I don’t reach for her and walk over to her desk.

“Got a minute?”

“Sure.” She tips her chin toward the visitor chair and I take a seat.

I take out the set of keys I had made for her after morning skate. “These are for you. Blue is the front door, green for the mailbox—box fifty-six zero eight, and purple is for the fitness center and the pool.”

Her gaze flashes between me and the keys lying on her desk. “You didn’t have to do that.”

I lean back in the chair, crossing my arms. I don’t miss the way she checks me out before meeting my eyes. Do I flex my biceps? Maybe a little.

“This way you can come and go as you please.” She sighs, picking up the keys and clutching them in her hand. “Any word from your landlord?”

She fiddles with the keys before telling me the unfortunate news that her landlord wasn’t able to find her a temporary place.

She grimaces. “I talked to Becca and Hadley at lunch, and they volunteered to help me pack over the weekend. I’m going to make a few phone calls to find a storage unit. Hopefully I’ll be able to find a new apartment quickly. I might take you up on your offer of me staying for a few weeks, if it’s still on the table.”

“Stay as long as you want. There’s plenty of room.”

She stares down at her desk. “Just until I find somewhere else.”

Not the response I wanted, but I also understand her wanting her own space.

“Okay, but in the meantime, you can keep your stuff in my garage. One side is completely empty. There should be plenty of room, and if there isn’t, we’ll figure it out.”

She shakes her head, setting the keys down. “I don’t want to impose any more than I already am.”

“I’m not using the space, and you need a place to keep your stuff. This way, it’ll be right there if you need something.”

“If you’re sure it won’t be an imposition.”

“It won’t be. Let me hire movers to help you. They’ll even pack your things.”

She fiddles with her hair. “No. That’s too much. I can’t let you do that.”

I lean forward, resting my hands on her desk. “You need help. I have the means to help you. Let me do it.” Please.

“I’ve got help. I told you Becca and Hadley are going to—”

“You all have better things to do than spend your weekend packing. Relax. Put your feet up.”

She’s silent for a few beats. “Fine. I’ll pack my clothes and the breakable things.”

I’d rather she just let the movers do it all, but I can compromise.

“As long as you promise not to move the furniture. Any of you. Let the movers take care of it.”

“I’m not fragile, you know.”

I lean forward in my chair, pinning her with a look. “I know that. Even if you weren’t pregnant, I’d say the same thing. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Thank you. Why don’t you have the movers bring my bedroom furniture up to your condo? That way you don’t have to buy anything. Although it might be more trouble because they’ll have to come back and move it out in a few weeks.”

I run a hand through my hair. If I have it my way, she won’t be moving out in a few weeks. “Works for me, if it’s what you want.”