Page 131 of The Renter

“Oh?” she replies, pulling back to look into my eyes.

“I know you would have done a great job with the press, but this is the biggest deal we’ve ever done. If we didn’t get marquee coverage and used you, the board would have a field day.”

“You don’t think I could have gotten this deal into theWall Street Journal? It’s three hundred million. Of course, everyone would cover it.”

“I know you would have killed it. Trust me. But it’s a risk I didn’t need to take right now. I was planning to tell you at dinner … but there are too many moving parts and egos involved.”

“You owe me.”

“I know. I’ll keep the clients coming, don’t worry.” I squeeze her again, loving how small she is and how perfectly she fits with me.

“Exactly.” She smirks. “My business is growing.”

“If growing your business makes you happy, keep growing it.” I play with her hair, relieved this no longer feels like a breakup. “I was also hoping to tell you at dinner last night that Lily wants you to come to her birthday party next month. Honestly, I think she couldn’t care less if I was there or not.”

“I’m sure she wants you there. When is it?”

“November nineteenth.” She takes a deep breath, and I sense her stress. “You still want to be my girlfriend, right?” I feel like we’ve been dancing around a breakup all day.

“If you can agree to a few things.”

“Like?”

“Never call yourselfAdam Harrisagain.”

I cup my hands around her face and bring her in for a gentle kiss. “Deal.”

“The next time you’re doing a deal, I’m going on an extended girls’ trip. It’ll be a win-win—you can focus on work, and I can focus on my friends.”

“I’m assuming you want me to pay for this trip?” She squints at me, and I laugh. “Of course, I’ll pay for you and your friends. How extended is ‘extended’?”

“Deal or no deal?”I love my sassy brat.

“Deal.”

“Never scream like that at me ever again.”

“Baby.” I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight against my chest. “I am so sorry. I promise.”

We hold the hug for a long time until she whispers, “I’m your girlfriend.” She scoots back. “My hips are hurting from staying in this position.” She dismounts and lies back on the arm of thecouch, her feet resting over my lap. “What’s the theme of Lily’s birthday?”

“Theme? I don’t know.”

“What did the invite look like?”

“I’ll have to turn my phone back on.”

“I’ll allow it.”

I laugh and slide my phone out of my pocket, turning it on. Opening the text from my brother, I show her the invite.

“See the stars and the planets. It’s space-themed.” Dani smiles, and I’m so happy we made it through this. “You could wear a NASA bomber jacket, and I could wear silver metallic pants and an American flag top. We’d have a moon landing vibe.”

“You thought of that too quickly.”

“I love a themed party! And we kinda missed planning something for Halloween with all the fighting and everything.”

“I’m too old to be celebrating Halloween.”