Because You're Mine (The Gallaghers #3) - Layla Hagen Page 0,3

next to a ninety-nine cents a slice pizza store.

"That's me. I live on the second floor." It was a prewar building with black windows and gray bricks. From the outside, it was not the least bit impressive, but the area seemed safe.

Who was I kidding? I was worried Ellie was living on her own in the city—you had to be on your game here, be aware of your surroundings. I got out of the car with her, taking out all five bags. I bet each one was over the fifty-pound limit.

"I'll come up with you," I offered. I wasn’t letting her get into an unsafe situation. I had to check this out.

"You don't have to," she said. Then she eyed my arms. "I’m going to make some good use of your muscles. I don't think I can carry the bags all by myself."

"Happy to know I can be of use," I said jokingly. The building did have an elevator, but carrying the bags up the first three steps was no easy feat.

"What do you have in here?" I asked.

“Shoes, lots and lots of shoes, and some clothes too. Don't judge."

"I'm not. I have two sisters. They also like shoes and clothes."

"Oh great, maybe you can introduce me to them sometime."

"I was planning to do that," I said. "I think you'll click with them."

“Thanks.” Her eyes widened in genuine surprise. Why was she so taken aback? “I’m really looking forward to meeting people.”

The elevator looked ancient, but it was a nice surprise that it worked. I lived in a completely different building that was five years old, so every modern amenity imaginable was available.

Ellie rang the doorbell, and a tiny blonde opened the door.

"Hey, Harper," Ellie said.

“Ellie, welcome. I've been cleaning up, waiting for you." She glanced at me.

Ellie looked at me over her shoulder. "This is my brother's friend, Ian. He lives in New York and wanted to help me today at the airport and make sure that you’re not a serial killer."

Harper nodded. "As he should. I have to say, it's still nerve-racking to move in with someone you don't know." She opened the door, and we both went inside.

Ellie’s room was so small that there was no space to move after bringing in the bags.

"Well, this room is even tinier than it looked on camera," Ellie said. Harper was right behind us.

"I know. I tried to take a pic from a good angle for you, but I wasn’t able to."

"That's fine, Harper. It'll do." Ellie’s warm smile and dismissal of this turn in her living situation put everyone at ease. I liked that about her—that she didn’t snap at Harper for not taking a better picture. Some of the women I’d dated in the past would have pitched a fit and made demands. Big reasons why they were “in the past.”

"Okay," Harper said. "I'll just be in the kitchen if you need anything."

I was pleased to see Harper seemed like a nice person. She appeared genuine, and I was much less concerned about Ellie living here.

Ellie glanced at her bags and around the room, then at me. The corners of her mouth twitched. I just burst out laughing.

“There's no way I'm going to have space for all my clothes," she said. "I'll find a solution. I wanted to live in Manhattan but not spend all my money on rent, and this seemed like a good compromise. Not sure what to do with my bags."

“Honestly, Ellie, I was impressed that you didn’t go nuts over the tight accommodations. I can keep the bags at my place until you need them; that should free up some space.”

“Really? That would be great. I won’t need it until I move again; so, if you could store everything until then that would be awesome.”

"When is your first day of work?" I asked as Ellie started to move things around, preparing to unpack and get settled.

"Monday. I’m on probation for two weeks, but that’s normal. Anyway, I just have today and tomorrow to explore the city a bit."

"I can explore it with you," I said. "My sister Isabelle was a tour guide when she first moved to New York. When Dylan and I moved here, she offered to show us the city. My brother wasn't in the mood, but I went on a few of her tours, and they were interesting."

"So you want to be my guide?" she asked with a smile. "Was that the job description my brother had for you?"

Fuck no. Her