Page 24 of York

“It isn’t,” he countered. “It is in my name, since I didn’t have your information, but if you want, we can draft something up, get it notarized, so you feel safe knowing you can stay here.”

“No, that’s not necessary. I trust you.” He hadn’t given me a single reason not to yet. And I’d been looking for one. For our safety, yes. But also as a potential solo parent to our daughter if the worst happened to me. He’d passed all my mental tests.

“I would really appreciate it if you let me do this for you guys.”

“Okay,” I agreed, nodding. “Yes, we’ll stay here. Thank you.”

“Good. I know you need to go grab your shit, but do you want to check the place out first?”

“Yes,” I said, then grabbed Denny, telling her we were going to check out a new place for us to stay, then followed York into the building.

We ended up on the highest floor, and I felt both relaxed and tense about that. It would, on one hand, allow me to see anyone if they were snooping around. On the other, we couldn’t just jump out a random window and make a run for it.

I guess there was the chance of making friends with neighbors so we could hide in their apartments if something happened while I waited for York to come for us. And with the way he was wrapped around our little girl’s finger already, I had no doubt that he would come. Hopefully with that gun he owned when I’d seen him last.

Everything about the building was brand new. The carpets and hardwood floors were pristine, the paint on the walls fresh, the windows completely spotless.

I unlocked the door to our new place and stepped inside.

My heart nearly burst.

Because I’d been expecting to need to stalk online forums to find a couch, end tables, a dining set, and beds, which would be very doable in an area like this.

But no.

The apartment was fully furnished.

“You found a furnished unit?” I asked, voice breathless.

“No.”

Denny rushed ahead toward the giant casement windows in the living room that stretched from floor to ceiling, showing her stuffed animals the view.

“You… you managed to get us an apartment and get it furnished in, what, a day and a half?”

“I have a pretty big circle who was willing to help lug furniture, paint walls, and put together furniture.”

It did still smell a bit like paint in the apartment, even though the living/dining/kitchen area had all white walls.

The living room set was in a deep green with dark wood end tables and a coffee table over a rug with mixed browns and greens. There was no art on the walls, but there were lamps, a basket on the coffee table for remotes, coasters, and a TV on the wall.

The kitchen was all white with white marble countertops, a big stainless steel fridge, a range, and a dishwasher. God, a dishwasher.

Emotion clawed its way up my throat, and I fought it back down as Denny turned back to us.

“Want to see your room?” York asked.

“Yes!” Denny said, running over to him to lead her down the hall.

“This is Mommy’s room,” he said as we passed that one first. “I took a chance that green would be your color,” he said as I looked in the door to find green walls, a dark wood bed and matching nightstands, and a rug.

“It’s her favorite color,” Denny told him as I blinked away the sting in my eyes.

“It’s perfect,” I said, giving York a smile.

“This is the bathroom,” York said, gesturing into the other door. “And… this is your room.” He threw an arm out and waited for Denny to rush past him to take it in.

I could hear her gasps and exclamations as I moved toward the doorway. And immediately understood her reaction.