Page 101 of The Renter

“Yes. Without question.”

She takes the ring, holding it in her palm, and I pull her close. “It’s like a promise ring?” she asks, muffled into my chest.

“It’s whatever you want it to be.” I breathe into her hair. “I love you.”

We sit there in silence for a moment, and then she puts it on her right ring finger.

“It’s not a yes, yet,” she clarifies.

I smile, loving how matter-of-fact she can be. “One more gift.”

“No!” she says firmly.

“What do you mean, no?” I laugh.

“No more gifts. Whatever else you got me will have to wait for Christmas.”

As I wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me, I feel a sense of completeness. This summer changed everything.

88

Sunday, August 28th

Getting ready for brunch, Adam leans on the bathroom’s doorframe, watching me. “You look great.”

“Thanks,” I say, then stare at the ring on my hand.There’s no way I’m wearing this to brunch.There are so many reasons why I can’t. “I’m going to leave this here.”

“Oh?”

“I haven’t seen Sam since she got engaged.” Considering how she already reacted to the dress photo … “I don’t want to rain on her parade.”

“Okay,” Adam says, understanding. “I feel bad for that poor girl.”

“Stop.” I cynically giggle.

“Do you need to take my car?”

“Charlie’s is down the street.”

“Right, that guy we saw on the lake.” Adam stands behind me, and we look at each other through the bathroom mirror. “I was jealous when he approached. I’m so happy he’s into your friend.”

“You were jealous of a bartender? That’s hilarious.”

He kisses my neck, then asks, “Should I anticipate you being a little drunk when you get back? We can always stay another night.”

“No. I’ll have a couple of drinks, and then we can go back to Chicago.”

“Have fun,” he says before placing a fucking tempting kiss on my lips. “Put brunch on the card I gave you.”

Leaving the cottage in a sundress and denim jacket, I cannot believe how, a little over three months ago, I was post-orgasm glowing after hooking up with a random man making this same walk. Now, I’m doing the same but am kind of engaged to him. I laugh it off, not ready to consider the enormity of last night.

Stepping into Charlie’s, the girls are at a high-top table with two big balloons spelling out twenty-six.

“Happy Birthday!” They cheer in unison, and I smile.

“Well, you look amazing,” Sarah says as I sit down.

“Look at those,” Kelsey says, pushing my hair behind my ear.