The Single Father Upstairs

The alpha upstairs is tall, dark, and handsome. He’s also a single father. I should stay away. I can’t.

Moving to a new city is expensive. I know that, but when places started asking for first month’s rent, last month’s rent, a deposit, and a pet fee, my hopes of an apartment of my own vanish. I’m about to sign a sublease with five strangers when I get a call from my real estate agent. They found the perfect place and well within budget. I sign sight unseen.

I arrive expecting it to be falling apart or in a sketchy neighborhood. It’s neither, but the residents are rude.
Some sniff me and turn up their noses.
Others refuse to say hi.
A few even go out of their way to avoid me.

The only person nice to me is an eight-year-old girl who absolutely adores my cat Marmalade. When her father comes knocking, it’s love at first sight, except that only exists in fairy tales, but the sexy alpha checks off every box. Too bad he can’t get away from me fast enough.