“I did it,” Saint said from behind her.
“You did this?” Lola wished she could’ve dialed back the incredulity, but she simply couldn’t.
He did a head tilt, shoulder raise, pursed lips thing that she figured was his version of a shrug. “My cousins helped.”
“The cousins that live upstairs?”
“I figured since they helped me renovate the place, the least I could do is let them live here.”
Lola got the distinct feeling that when he said he let them live there he also meant for free, because that was what Saint did. He took care of his family.
The sounds of talking filtered into the kitchen area from one of the rooms on the right. She could make out the low, soft tones of a man’s voice and two higher tones, but it was the peal of delighted girlish laughter that stopped her in her tracks. Was that Rosie? Lola didn’t think she’d ever heard the little girl laugh before. It was so cute.
The man’s voice rumbled. “You know, Av. I’m not sure you can rock the hot pink like I can. Right, Rosie? It looks better on me.”
A giggle.
“Stop hating, Teo,” a woman’s voice responded. “This color was made for my skin tone. Rosie knows what she’s doing.”
More giggles from Rosie.
Lola couldn’t help herself; she went toward the sound.
“I don’t know about that. She told me this color would look good and now I’m a frog,” another voice stated.
“But a cute frog,” Rosie said. “Kind of.”
“Why, you little punk!”
There was a scuffle and the girlish giggles exploded into a frenzy of squeals and laughter.
Lola reached the door and found a young guy, who looked a bit like Zac Efron, lounging on a princess-pink bed while wearing a large floppy hat with hot pink flowers sticking out of it. Next to him sat a beautiful girl with light brown skin. She had a hot pink feather boa on and a crown on her head. They were both watching the small woman in what looked like a green towel poncho tickling Rosie as the little girl laughed and kicked.
“Mi amor, Miss León is here,” Saint said from behind Lola.
Everyone’s head whipped toward Saint, and Lola found herself being scrutinized by four pairs of light eyes.
Lola cleared her throat. “I think at this point it’s fine to call me Lola. I mean, she’s seen my art collection, so I’d say we’re friends now.”
Rosie smiled at her, but didn’t say anything. She wiggled around until the woman who’d been tickling her sat back and Rosie was free. She hopped up and rushed to grab Lola’s hand.
Lola pasted a smile on her face. “Hi, Rosie, I’m happy to see you.”
The little girl pulled her into the room toward the other occupants. She gestured at Lola as if saying,Tadah.
Lola figured that was her signal to introduce herself. “Hey. I’m Lola. Rosie’s substitute teacher.”
The woman sitting on the floor gave Rosie an odd look before looking at Lola. “So she really doesn’t talk at school, huh?” she asked Lola as she stood up.
“Not yet, but we understand each other just fine. Right, Rosie?”
Rosie nodded.
The woman held out a hand. “I’m Alex, Rosie’s favorite second cousin.”
“Umm excuse me,” the other woman said, standing up. “That honor goes to me.” She held out her hand to Lola. “I’m Avery.”
“Y’all are both liars,” the guy said, sitting up and scooching to the edge of the bed. “I’ve been Rosie’s favorite since I bought her that American Girl doll that looks just like her.” He looked at Lola. “I’m Matteo.”
