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“A toupee,” Colby corrected, holding out his hand. “I’m Colby, Billie’s husband. Nice to meet you.”
“Colby, Devyn is currently living in four-ten,” Billie added. “She’s the mystery woman.”
“Ah…the famous mystery woman.” He snickered.
I felt myself blush. “That’s me, apparently.”
The next thing I knew, Saylor had brought out a guinea pig to show me. “This is Guinevere,” she announced.
I petted the chubby animal. “He’s so cute.”
“It’s a she…”
Duh. Guinevere would be a girl’s name.
Brayden slipped into the spot next to me. “Who’s cute? Me?” He winked.
This one wassucha flirt.
“I’m kidding, of course,” he said. “So, how do you like living here, Devyn?”
I spent the next few minutes chatting with him—told him all about my job and briefly alluded to the challenge of keeping up with my siblings. Brayden was certainly a charmer, attentive to every word that came out of my mouth and seeminglyveryinterested in me. This was a problem for multiple reasons.
Then Holden had grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him away.
“I’ll be back.” Brayden lifted a finger as he walked backwards, looking confused.
Odd.
I was left standing there, feeling awkward among this group of close friends. It felt like the right time to leave as everyone started noshing on the food, and Holden and Lala prepared to take a family photo.
I debated sneaking out but decided to say a quick goodbye to Billie, who wasn’t in the middle of anything at the moment.
“I have to head back to my apartment. It was great meeting you.”
“Why don’t you stay? We have plenty of food!”
I placed my hand on my stomach. “Oh, thank you so much. But I have to be home when my brother and sister return from the Y.”
“Okay, well…we should do lunch sometime. You, me, and Lala.”
“That would be great.” I smiled.
Agreeing to that seemed harmless enough. They were nice women, and it wouldn’t kill me to get to know them. That was certainly safer than getting to know say,Owenbetter. Billie and I exchanged phone numbers.
As I went to the door, Brayden came after me.
“You’re leaving so soon?”
“I am, yeah.”
“You can’t leave yet.” He practically pouted, batting his lashes—sinfully long for a man. “Just stay for one drink. You don’t have to drive to get to four-ten, right?” Before I could say anything, Brayden grabbed a glass. “What’s your poison? Wine? Tequila?”
I didn’t want to seem like an antisocial bitch, so I caved. I had a little while before the kids would be back. “Okay, justonequick drink. Tequila and seltzer with lime would be great.”
“Comin’ right up.”
The moment Brayden handed me the glass, I turned to find that someone else had entered the apartment.
