Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

***
I turned around as soon as I locked the door to my condo. Justin and Ian
were still standing guard outside because I didn’t trust that some journalist
wouldn’t try something again.
Sofia was holding her sister’s hand while they both took in their
surroundings. I found myself doing the same, trying to see through their eyes.
The foyer gave into a big open space where you could see the open
kitchen and living room, and obviously the huge bay windows with a view on
the lake. I could see Valentina eying the huge TV my cousin Mateo had
insisted I buy when I moved in— all because watching football on that
thing would be fucking awesome, as he said. I could tell from the look on
her face that she was already thinking about which Disney movie she’d like
to watch on it first. She was seriously obsessed with those.
“Your house is really big.” Valentina’s little voice pulled me out of my
thoughts and I smiled.
It wasn’t bigger than their two stories in the suburbs but it was a great
condo. My parents owned the building so as soon as I finished college and
came back to Lakestone, this beauty was waiting for me. It had four
bedrooms, one of which I had converted into an office and three baths, lots of
closet space and a huge kitchen which I never used because 1) I couldn’t
cook and 2) I never had time to.
“Thanks, Pretty Girl.” I grinned at her and she grinned back, loving the
nickname. “Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Grabbing the suitcases we’d taken from their house earlier today, I
walked through the corridor leading to the two guest rooms. Entering the first
one, I deposited the suitcases next to the closet, and turned around, looking at
them.