Page 69 of Only the Devil

“I don’t know that…” My words trail because I don’t know where I’m going with that answer. Our story is that he moved here to be with me, so that would mean serious. “Yes, things are good.”

I cross my legs and check out the passing scenery of strip malls and suburban sprawl.

“You know, we both could have driven.” I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.

“Well, if we have a celebratory drink, it’s best that neither of us drive.”

Right. I suppose he’s correct. Back home, I Uber everywhere. I suppose taking the business car service is the corporate equivalent of an Uber.

“You’re an executive now. Enjoy the perks. At least, I believe we’re having dinner tonight to celebrate you joining the executive team. You received your signing bonus, yes?”

“Yes. I did. It’s official.” I must have stared at the bank alert for ten minutes. The funds aren’t available yet, as it’s a large deposit.

“Are you planning on staying in your condo or will you be moving?”

“I’m not sure,” I answer, but the question strikes me as odd, or at the very least, invasive.

“I’m familiar with the floor plans for the condominiums across the street. A two-bedroom, twelve hundred square feet, is about as large as they get. Perhaps you could choose to keep your present condo as a convenient place to stay, but live elsewhere on weekends. Chicago, New York, if you prefer something coastal. You have options.”

“I’ve run scenarios in my head,” I admit, “but there are too many variables to optimize for right now.” The admission makes me sound like the overthinker I am, but it’s honest.

“If you decide you prefer Chicago, you could always work remotely. Keep the condo for when you have business meetings at our offices. You can afford to do anything you like.”

He’s right. I can. It’s a dizzying thought. I mean, I wasn’t poor before. ARGUS paid me well but this is just sick money.

“That’s what I do,” he volunteers. “I own two units. They were a steal when they first came on the market. A solid investment opportunity.”

“Which units are yours?”

“Both of my units are on the top floor. My view is of the park that runs along Jefferson Street. I didn’t want a view of a building.”

“I can understand that.” It’s definitely not a situation I’d seek under normal circumstances. “How often do you use your condo? Or do you rent both units?”

“I have one that’s part of a corporate rental program. One I keep for personal use. When I first got divorced, it’s where I stayed.”

“Ah.” My gaze falls to his ringless fingers, lightly tapping his thigh. “Was your divorce a long time ago?”

“Two years, three months.”

“I’m sorry.” He gives me a strange look, and I look out the window. That was probably not a normal response, but I have little experience with divorce. I don’t know what you’re supposed to say. Growing up, I had friends whose parents divorced. My perception has always been that it’s rough.

“It was for the best. At any rate, there’s a possibility we may move our headquarters to Miami. It’s becoming a respected financial center. We’d probably keep the servers here.”

“Yeah, hurricanes.” I assume he’s here in Virginia because of the tech hub that sprung up outside of the DC metro, but no one worth their salt puts a data center in a high-risk weather zone. He may have also chosen to locate close to DC for influence.

“We likely won’t make a move for two years.” He looks out the window as the car slows. “After my daughter graduates from high school.”

Phillip Sterling with a daughter. Somehow, the idea that this man has a child that will dictate when he moves changes him in my eyes.

The car stops in front of a restaurant with a valet stand. The driver exits the car and tells the valet he’s going to drop us off and move the car.

When the driver opens the door for me, Phillip is already waiting on the sidewalk, holding his phone.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Certainly.” I smile, hoping it covers up the anxiety gnawing in my gut. Am I really doing this? I’ve already said yes, but this dinner makes it official. Getting to know Phillip… It’s just… Is this really what I want?

While waiting behind a couple at the hostess stand, he asks, “Would you like to see a photo of my daughter?”