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“A few people.” I bit my lip, debating. “Let me ask you, what do you know about the owner of this building?”
Lala chuckled.
I cocked my head. “What’s so funny?”
“Well, the owner of the building is the father of my baby. So…I know him pretty well.”
A rush of adrenaline coursed through me.
Oh my God.
What?
This is Owen’s baby?
This can’t be happening.
I swallowed. “Owen is the father of your baby?”
“Owen?” Lala’s eyes widened. “Oh gosh. No, no, no.Holdenis my fiancé. Owen is one of Holden’s best friends. They own the building together, along with Colby and Brayden. The four of them formed a company that technically owns the property.”
Relief washed over me. I’d thought I was gonna have a heart attack for a second there.
Lala explained that the four guys had grown up together in Pennsylvania. Lala’s brother, Ryan, had been the fifth member of their crew until he died of leukemia. His friends had been the beneficiaries of his insurance policy, which they’d used to purchase the building in his honor. They were thick as thieves.
I nodded slowly, taking it all in. “That’s a fascinating story. I had no idea.”
“Was there a reason you were curious about Owen?” She winked. “Heisone of the two single ones.”
I felt my cheeks burn. “I’ve met him. That’s all. He…came to issue a noise warning one night, expecting to find my mother. I just assumed he was the sole owner.”
“Oh, I see.” She covered baby Hope’s head with a little hat. “Do you know how long you’ll be here in New York?”
“No. It could be weeks or maybe months…”
“Well, you should really meet Billie. She owns the tattoo shop on the ground level and is an awesome person. She’s married to Colby, one of the guys.” She snapped her fingers. “Actually, why don’t you come upstairs and say hello? She’s waiting on me right now because she’s helping me put together Hope’s first photoshoot. Her friend is the photographer. We’re having a little photo-shoot party today.”
I shook my head. “Oh, I don’t want to impose…”
“That’s nonsense! There aren’t that many women our age in the building. She’s a good person to know. And it’s rare she’s not working in the shop, so it’s the perfect time for me to introduce you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her when I first moved here.” She seemed to notice my hesitation. “You don’t have to stay long. Just come say hi.”
I didn’t want to, but I didn’t know how to say no either. So I shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
I followed Lala upstairs to this woman Billie’s apartment.
When Billie opened the door, I was immediately taken by her beauty. She had long black hair, and her arms were covered in colorful tattoos. She was like a human piece of art.
“Hey, Lala.” She turned to me. “Who’s this?”
“This is Devyn. She’s living temporarily in four-ten.”
Billie’s mouth opened then closed, and she held out her hand, a hint of a smirk on her face. “Great to meet you.”
Why is she smirking?I could only assume it had to do with my siblings. It seemed everyone knew about the ruckus they’d caused around here.
A photographer was setting up in the corner of the room against a giant black backdrop. There was also a table with appetizers and drinks laid out.
“How’s the setup going?” Lala asked.
