Page 30 of The Renter

“She’s six.”

“That’s such a fun age.”

“Spend much time around six-year-olds?”

“I used to teach swim lessons through high school and a bit afterward. The last time I was home for the summer was the last time I taught lessons.”

“That sounds fun … assuming you like kids.”

“I do.” I smile. “I miss it sometimes. It was a lot of fun.”

“I’m sure the kids loved you,” he says, tossing the covers back. His tone shifts as he adds, “I want to talk to you about something before you go.”

He leaves that hanging in the air as he walks out of the room. I hear the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and he returns with a stack of papers in his hands.

“Can we have a serious chat for a minute?” Adam asks, handing me the papers.

“Don’t you have to be wearing clothes for serious chats?”

He shakes his head, smiling. “I want you to read through this. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.”

Still naked but covering myself with the sheet, I sit up and skim the first page. “An NDA?” I ask, surprised.

“Greg and the board want to make sure I live a quiet, reclusive life from now on. This will help keep them off my back.”

“This seems?—”

“I trust you,” he interrupts. “But it’s important. We can talk about it more after you’ve had a chance to read through it, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, feeling a bit deflated. I don’t like the idea of signing an NDA—it makes me worry there are red flags ahead. “I’ll read it.”

“Thanks, Peanut! I’ll make it worth your while,” he flirts, placing a kiss on my lips that makes me want to crawl right back on top of him.

24

If I sign this, I can no longer pretend this is just a casual fling. Signing this means we’re … serious? Skimming the document in my childhood bedroom, I start to accept how different Adam’s life is from mine. This is standard protocol for him. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if people would pay for dirt on him. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a high school time capsule. My unchanged room taunts me, a reminder of my failure with Shirts.

“Dani.” I hear Mom’s voice from behind my door.

“Come in.”

“I haven’t seen much of you since you’ve been back.” Her blond hair is in a perfect messy bun, and she looks annoyingly pretty for her age.She’s the same age as Adam!I try not to groan at the realization. “How’s it going?” she asks, breaking my spiral.

“I met someone?—”

“Dani,” she interrupts, her tone shrill. It’s an overreaction.

“Crystal.” I only call her by her first name when she’s getting on my nerves.

“We agreed you could stay here while you got back on your feet. What are you doing getting distracted by some guy?”

“This isn’t like the last time, Mom,” I snap.This guy is a fucking billionaire.“He’s actually helping me with my business. He’s very successful and from Chicago. He’s already set up some great meetings for me.”

She shakes her head, unimpressed. She doesn’t get it.

“The awkward part is, I met him at Lisa’s house,” I add. And he’s the same age as you, I think, but don’t say.

“What were you doing there? Isn’t she renting it out?”