“Wes asked if I wanted to move my studio stuff over here to avoid the paparazzi, but I don’t think I’ll say yes. Not because I don’t think you guys would be okay with it,” I clarified. “I already know if I wanted to you would say yes and find a way to do it faster than I could blink.”

“Glad you’re getting the idea,” Avery said with a laugh.

“It’s just that everything’s already settled and how I like it. I’m sure you guys understand. Switching my studio just feels wrong. And I don’t mind having a separate space for it.”

Ben nodded. “I definitely understand wanting your space the way you’ve developed it and wanting your own. It’s healthy. That being said, you’re right. We would move your studio here in a heartbeat if you needed it.”

Avery settled on the end of the bed. “You told us about your day. Now we get to tell you what we decided during ours.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Am I going to like this?”

“I hope so.” He held out a hand and I put mine in it. “It’s important we get to know each other as a group, and we’ll continue to do that. But it’s also important you get to know us one on one. Or a couple at a time. So, we decided to take turns doing things with you in between everything. If you’re up for it.”

Sitting up, I laughed. “Yes, I’m up for that. Who’s first?”

“I am,” Ben said. “Because I met you first I made the argument I should have the first date.”

“Are you sure it doesn’t mean you should have the last date, Mr. Cupcake?”

“Very sure.” The words accompanied the rumble of a purr.

“Okay, so when are we going on this date?”

Ben shrugged. “We can go tonight if you want.”

I thought about it. More often than not I was a homebody. I created spaces I enjoyed being in and staying there because I was so used to avoiding the public eye. But today, the public had already gotten an eyeful of me, and I was feeling daring. Plus, being here, with them, the same happiness settled over me like a blanket, washing away the anxieties which managed to creep back in.

“Okay, where are we going?”

He grinned at the rest of them. “Don’t kill me.”

“Why would I want to kill you?”

Leaning in, he brushed his lips across mine. “Because we never got to finish our dance, and this time I’m not going to let you run away.”

Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

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ESME