Page 73 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“They are if you want them to be,” a voice interrupts.

I look up and find Chase standing behind Greta.

I run over and jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. “I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“I wanted to be here when the movers arrived. Everything packed?” he asks as he looks past me to take in the progress.

“Almost,” I answer.

He gives my ass a light slap. “Well, then put me to work. They are just getting the back of the truck open and will be up here in a minute.”

“I didn’t really need a moving truck,” I say to him.

He kisses me and lets me slide down his body slowly. “I know. But this will save us time for other more important tasks,” he says with a smirk and a wink.

“Get a room!” Gus yells from my little kitchen.

Chase and I grin at each other like silly teenagers caught in the act.

There’s a knock at the door and three young men enter. I slide down from Chase’s arms and give them directions on what’s going. They begin hauling things out, one by one, until my little apartment looks barren.

“Well, that’s a wrap,” Gus says with his hands on his hips as he surveys the few items I’ve left here for my future office.

Greta comes over and hugs me. “I’ll miss having you here all the time. But I’m so happy for you.”

I squeeze her back. “I’ll miss living here. But I’ll still be here for my office hours.”

She pulls back and gives me her patented warm smile that makes me feel like I have a family. “Of course you will.”

“Mr. Marino, sir, we’re all set,” one of the movers says from the doorway.

“We’ll be right behind you,” Chase replies. He looks over at me. “You ready?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We all walk to the door, and I turn around after everyone has started down the steps. I stare at the empty space. I feel tears threaten at all the memories. This was my first place that felt like home after Nancy had moved us out of the only home I ever knew. I smirk as I remember seeing Nancy two days ago on Main Street. Chase’s arm was wrapped around mine and he stopped and said hello to her and then proceeded to tell her how excited he was that I was moving in with him.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing when her eyes nearly bulged out of her head. I haven’t heard from her or my stepsisters since then. And honestly, I’m making peace with us never having a close relationship, something I had yearned for up until I met Chase.

I look back down at my real family, the one I chose. Chase, Greta, and Gus all stand at the bottom of the steps waiting for me. They may not share my DNA, but they’re mine and I’m theirs.

“You coming?” Gus asks.

I nod and shut my door. Chase opens the car door for me, and I sit down, staring back at the garage apartment. It all feels so unreal.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” he says as he pulls us out of the driveway and follows the moving truck that is way too large for my needs.

I’m quiet as we drive out of the center of town toward the less congested beach area. “You OK over there?” Chase asks, grasping my hand in his. I can see Gus and Greta in the car behind us as I look at the side mirror.

I turn to Chase who’s giving me a worried look.

“I’m fine. It’s just a big day,” I confess.

He squeezes my hand. “Itisa big day.” He smiles and brings my hand up to his lips. He plants a kiss on it and then settles it on his lap as he steers one-handed down the road.

The cliffy property comes into view and the moving truck turns onto the lane. We follow and I look at the new addition to histinyhouse. His friend was able to quickly get some prefabricated work done off-site and just dropped the new addition off this week. It’s growing and changing, just like us. His parents and nonno were surprised about the house when he showed it to them. But they’ve visited since then and seem to be getting used to the idea that he’ll be staying out here now.

“Your tiny house isn’t so tiny anymore,” I state as Chase parks.

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