Page 11 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

I looked at Chelsey because I didn’t know what else to do. What was I supposed to say? I wanted to tell them it was fake, but Jesus, how could I after this? They got us gifts.

“I think that’s enough with presents. We need to get this place open.” Chelsey patted everyone, moving them toward the front. “To your stations.”

I started to stuff the boxes into my locker, my hands shaking. I took a few deep breaths, telling myself it was fine. I could just put the gifts under my bed and leave them there. I would never have to look at the handcuffs and sex book again.

After I pulled myself together, I headed out to help. I took a seat next to Sophia as she tried to talk to a pregnant lady.

“I honestly don’t remember how it happened. One second I was talking to my two-year-old, and suddenly the next I was slipping on the stairs.”

“It happens,” Sophia said, giving the lady a soft smile. “I know when I was pregnant, I couldn’t see my feet.”

The lady chuckled. “Thanks.”

“Can you grab me some wrap?” Sophia said, pointing to her trays. I pulled the wrap free and helped Sophia wrap the lady’s ankle.

“Don’t put too much pressure on it when you walk. You only rolled it. No bones were broken. Your muscles will be a little sore, so make sure you hold onto the railing.”

“Oh, I’ll be making my husband help her with moving stuff for a while now.”

Sophia laughed and helped the women get up. She turned to me. “So, how are you feeling? Married now?”

“It feels the same.”

She chuckled. “I hear that. I remember when Max and I were first married, and everyone was asking me that same question. Nothing really changed, though.”

I chewed on my cheek.

“He’s a good guy,” she added. “All of them have been great. Never stopping to take care of the pack. I know that Brandon is Alpha, and he does an amazing job at it, but if he didn’t have the guys, I don’t think he’d be as great. They help wherever they are needed without treating us like we are in the way.”

I soaked her words in. When we joined the pack, I spent as much time as I could doing anything but getting to know people. I worked at the bar, but I didn’t bother remembering faces or making friends. It wasn’t until I came to the center that I realized I should try.

But even here, I kept myself so busy I couldn’t learn. I kept my head down and just tried to belong.

I’d seen Asher and Westley here on occasions, but never thought much about it. I could hold conversations, but I never engaged in conversations.

Suddenly, she smirked. “Wow, if you say his name enough, he will appear.”

I turned, spotting Asher standing by the front counter, talking with Marie. He looked charming as he spoke, and Marie was laughing at something he said.

I could see the sparkle in his eyes as he spoke, and I wondered if I’d seen it before. Had I just never noticed how good-looking he was until now? He was tall and muscular. Asher always held that calm expression, but when he smiled, his entire face lit up. He looked like a completely different person.

“Well, I’ll let you go say hi to your hubby.”

I moved, walking toward the front. Marie was still laughing as I got to them.

“Morning, Hazel.” Asher offered me a smile, and I gave one in return.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to drop off the drive for Marie.”

Marie eagerly waved the drive in her fingers. “Asher did some photos for me of my son’s fifth birthday a few weeks ago. I’ve been looking forward to getting them back.”

My eyebrows went up, and suddenly the photos at home made sense. “You do photography?”

He nodded. “I do it as a hobby. Marie saw my screensaver and asked if I could do photos for her since her photographer ended up with the flu at the last minute.”

“They were amazing!” Marie chirped. “And Lucas looked so adorable in the few shots you showed me. Thank you again. Have some of the fruit from the basket that Chelsey gave Hazel.”