Page 120 of The Renter

More silence. I hate how much this trip is weighing on her.

“Did you at least like the photo?” she asks, her tone dripping with sass.

“Yes, baby. I’ll be looking at that photo a lot.”

“Promise me you won’t take on another deal like this for a few months.”

“I can’t promise that.” Leaning against the hallway wall, I think about all the ideas our analysts have been pitching lately. “These deals are how you can have everything you want.”

She scoffs again. “You don’t have to do these deals. You’re already rich.”

“Please look at the big picture,” I plead. “I know this week sucks. Next month, we’ll have long forgotten about this.” It’s silent on the other end. “I love you, Peanut. Good night.”

“I love you too,” she says softly before hanging up.

103

Saturday, October 22nd

I’m hoping he can make time to meet up with Kelsey, but I’m still waiting for confirmation that he can join us. Adam needs to get to know my best friend—the one who insisted I go back to the cottage and have my way with him. She deserves a thank you for everything that’s unfolded.

When Allison told me that doing deals was no joke, I didn’t understand what she meant at the time. Now I do. It’s insane. I miss Adam so much, and I feel like the last time we were truly ourselves was my birthday—nearly two months ago.

The doorman calls me, and I tell him to let in the hottie. He laughs, and I eagerly wait by the door for her.

“Kelsey!” I scream, hugging her.

“This building is incredible! I don’t even want to know how much the rent is,” she says as she steps into my apartment.

“Yes, you do.” I smile knowingly.

“You’re right.” She laughs.

“Take a deep breath.” Kelsey nods, and I guide her through the living room. “Fifty-two hundred a month. Two bedrooms,two bathrooms, great kitchen and living room. Plus, an entire amenity floor.”

“Must be nice. So, when do I get to meet the billionaire?”

I show her into my office, which has a trundle bed. “It’s not looking good,” I say as she begins unpacking. “He’s working on closing this three-hundred-million-dollar deal. I haven’t even seen him this week.”

I don’t like making excuses for him, but it is what it is right now.

“Casual.”

“It sucks if I’m being honest,” I confide. “I know this period won’t last forever, but that doesn’t make it any easier. His day-to-day life in the city is so different from our routine at the lake.”

“I still can’t believe it—you and ‘The Renter.’”

I pour us each a glass of wine, and we settle on the couch.

“Velvet,” she says, petting the fabric.

“I know. I love it!”

“This is all crazy,” Kelsey says, looking around my place.

“It’s weird, I know. Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you.” She sips her wine, a familiar questioning look on her face. I smile, happy to be with my best friend. “Don’t you think it’s kind of bullshit how Sam is making me feel?”

“What do you mean?”