The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(116)

“Cool.” I ruffled her hair. “It seems like just yesterday you were the baby.”

We all moved to the seating area, and I filled them in on Lala’s long labor, which had lasted over twenty-four hours until she gave birth this morning.

Brayden showed up a few moments later.

I turned to him. “Hey.”

We clasped hands.

“How is everyone?” he asked.

“Great. They’re sleeping, though.”

I hadn’t gotten much sleep myself over the past couple of days. But it didn’t matter. I was on cloud nine and didn’t want to miss a moment of my life right now.

“Why don’t I grab coffee?” Brayden patted me on the shoulder. “You look like you could use it.”

“Thanks, man. I could definitely go for some.”

After Brayden left, Owen emerged from the elevator and headed toward me.

“Congratulations, Daddy!” He smiled. “Why is everyone sitting out here?”

“Lala and the baby are sleeping. I’ll check on them in a minute and see if they’re awake.”

Owen nodded and exhaled. His tie was undone, and his hair was unruly. He looked a bit frazzled. I wondered if it had anything to do with things back at the building. When Lala went into labor, I’d had no choice but to put him in charge of things.

“Thanks for covering for me, by the way,” I said.

“You neglected to tell me about the smokeshow in 410.”

“Smokeshow?” I laughed. “The middle-aged lady with the crazy kids who drive you nuts?”

“No.” He shook his head. “The woman who answered the door was in her twenties.”

I scratched my chin in confusion. We’d had a number of run-ins with the teenagers we’d dubbed Frick and Frack. I’d been meaning to go over there and issue a warning to them after yet another series of disturbances and another missing rent payment right before Lala started having contractions. Owen had offered to handle it for me when she and I headed to the hospital.

“No one in their twenties lives there, Owen. It’s just that lady, Maureen, and her kids. You sure you didn’t go to the wrong apartment?”

“No, because Frick and Frack were there.” He sighed. “She’s gorgeous and has quite the mouth on her, too—a bit of a firecracker. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.” He chuckled. “Especially after she slammed the door in my face.”

“Wow.” I laughed. “So she left an impression. I haven’t seen you react to a woman since… I can’t even remember.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand. I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.”

I squinted. “Again?”

Owen looked behind his shoulder then lowered his voice. “A few nights ago, I’d had a hard day at work. I couldn’t relax, so I went to that bar down the street. I met her there. We both had too much to drink. I hadn’t wanted anyone like that in a long time. She wouldn’t tell me her name, which I thought was a little weird, but I went with it. We ended up at the hotel next door to the place and…” He sighed. “Best freaking sex of my life. But she snuck out before I could convince her to give me her name and number.”

My mouth fell open. “No shit?”

“So you can imagine my shock when she opened the door at 410 today.” He exhaled. “Anyway, she kicked me out before I had a chance to find out who she is or why she’s apparently living there.”

“What are you guys whispering about?” Brayden appeared, holding two coffees.

Owen glared at me. I assumed that meant Brayden didn’t know the story, and he was in no mood for our friend to bust his balls right now.

“The mystery woman in 410,” I simply answered.

He handed me a cup. “Oh…the hot chick?”

Owen’s eyes widened. “You know her?”

“No, but I’ve seen her.”

Owen leaned in with great interest. “Who is she?”

Brayden peeled back the corner of his plastic coffee lid. “I don’t know if she’s visiting or what. Or maybe she’s their babysitter. But I’ve seen her coming in and out of the building a few times.”

“Aren’t those kids too old for a babysitter?” I asked.

“Believe me, they need more than a babysitter. They’re tyrants,” Owen said.

“I’m sure they’re no worse than us when we were their age.” I chuckled.

“Anyway, I saw her carrying a bunch of groceries in the other day,” Brayden explained. “I offered to help her, but she wouldn’t let me.”

Owen arched a brow. “I bet you offered to help her.”

Brayden shrugged. “Can you freaking blame me?”

I looked between them. “I’m not gonna have to break up a fight between you two over this new girl in town, am I?”

“Mr. Catalano?” A nurse turned my attention away from the conversation.

I turned. “Yep?”

“I just went in to check your wife’s vitals. She’s awake and looking for you.”

My wife. Except she wasn’t my wife—yet.

“Thank you.” I nodded. “I’ll be right back,” I told the crew before walking away.