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A new plan took shape in my mind. I didn’t like Lily’s apartment. The place was a security nightmare. Not only was her front door flimsy as hell but there were no cameras or safety protocols for the residents. The stairwells were open to the parking lot and the complex didn’t have a gate, meaning anyone could walk straight to her front door. Exterior lighting was almost non-existent. I’d had to use my cell phone as a flashlight to make sure I was at the correct apartment when I came to pick her up.
Lily’s home and belongings being ruined was awful but I wasn’t above seeing the opportunity in front of me.
“You’ll stay with us.” Lily spun around, gracing me with the first hint of emotion other than stunned silence. Unfortunately for me that emotion was outrage and it was all for me. But before she could turn me down, my perfect angel of a daughter backed me up.
“Yes! Stay with us, we can have a sleepover!” Lily’s denial vanished when she took in the hopeful expression on Daisy’s face. She may not have a problem telling me no, but it seemed my daughter was another story. Having been there myself many times, I should have felt sorry for Lily but my smug smile simply couldn’t be helped.
Lily’s shoulders slumped, knowing she was outnumbered and she reached out, pulling Daisy in for a hug. “I think a sleepover is just what I need tonight.”
I ruffled Daisy’s hair and smiled down at her proudly. This kid was getting ice cream for dinner.
* * *
Once Lily gavein to the idea of staying with me, I wasted no time and began packing up whatever belongings could be cleaned or saved into the back of my truck.
Lily and Daisy were in her bedroom packing up the clothing and toiletries that she would need for tonight. Luckily that area remained intact, her kitchen and living room took the brunt of the damage. Horrifying images of Lily baking in her kitchen when the ceiling collapsed were playing on a loop while I cleaned.
“Grayson?” I heard my sister yell from the direction of the front door. I stood, stretching out my back as I waved to her. I’d been in the process of pulling Lily’s baking pans from the lower cabinets. “Holy crap, I know you said that it was bad on the phone but this is insane.”
I’d called in the cavalry to help get Lily moved out of here in as few trips as possible. “Thanks for coming,” I threw a chin nod to Kane as he stepped through the door behind his wife. “I was hoping that you could take Daisy back to my place, keep her company until we’re done, seeing as how you aren’t going to be much help.”
“That’s a good idea, baby. I don’t think it’s safe for you and the baby to be around all this.” I smirked as she narrowed her eyes at Kane. It was clear that she wanted to fight both of us on the decision but her annoyance quickly turned to concern when Lily walked out of her bedroom with a full duffle bag.
“Lily!” Winnie waddled over to her and gave her a one-armed hug, considering her belly prevented her from anything more. “I’m so sorry this happened, thank goodness you weren’t here. Do you need somewhere to stay?”
“She’s staying with me.” My voice was gruff and I practically yelled the words but I didn’t want my sister to give Lily another option. She was already skittish about staying with me and Daisy.
“Okayyyyy,” Winnie shot me a look that showed she was questioning my sanity. Maybe I was losing it, I’d gone from never wanting to even go on a date to full on moving a woman into my house. I shrugged, not really caring if I was and walked over to take the full bag from Lily’s shoulder.
“These the things you need tonight?” She nodded and I decided to go ahead and lock the bag in my truck. Just one more way to make sure she knew who she was going home with. When I returned to the apartment, I didn’t like a single word that was coming out of my sister’s mouth, each one was like a betrayal.
“Really, it’s no bother at all. Since Kane moved out, the place is completely empty and it’s not like he is losing money on it or anything. They own the building.”
“What?” I was back to yelling and both girls jumped in surprise.
“Shit, Grayson, why are you screaming? I was just telling Lily that Kane’s old loft is completely vacant and it makes sense for her to stay there.”
I leveled my best friend with a murderous stare, the asshole at least had the dignity to look guilty. Damnit, I should have turned that place into storage the second he moved out.
“That actually sounds amazing.” Lily’s body relaxed at my sister’s suggestion and I just knew I’d already lost the battle. “It will be really nice being so close to the bakery. My commute will be about sixty seconds,” she laughed.
“My place is close to the bakery,” I grumbled.
“Well of course it is, you’re literally across the hall. Lily doesn’t want to stay with you. As someone who had to share a bathroom with Gray for her entire childhood, you’ll have to trust that I know what I’m talking about.”
I couldn’t interpret Lily’s small smile. Was she relieved that she had another option? If she felt even half of the disappointment that I did she wouldn’t be smiling, right?
“Um, okay, thank you, guys. I’ll just go and fetch Daisy.” Lily scurried back into her bedroom. I guess I had my answer.
17
LILY
Shutting the dresser drawer, I turned and surveyed my new bedroom. The loft itself was gorgeous, high ceilings, skylights and wood floors were just a few of the amazing features that made it a far cry from my crappy apartment.
Kane had left behind a few pieces of furniture and even though my own had been moved in, except my couch which I was afraid would be unsalvageable, the loft seemed empty and lonely since everyone had left. Gage had shown up to help with the heavy lifting and between him, Kane and Grayson, I’d been packed up and moved into my new home in record time.
Grayson had grumped and complained all afternoon. Every time one of them would ask where I wanted something, he’d mutter under his breath that it should be across the hall. He’d made it very clear that he wanted me to stay with him and Daisy and turning him down hadn’t been all that easy.
