Page 41 of The Renter

Adam nods to himself for a moment, and I want to end this conversation. “That’s how I got the hundred grand. That’s how I know Declan, and that pretty much sums up the last five years of my life and why I’m broke, living with my parents.”

“I think you’re incredible.” Adam smiles. “Most people never take a big risk. The money you lost, don’t think of it as a loss. Think of it as the best MBA you could have ever gotten. Real business experience is worth more than any classroom setting.”

I roll my eyes.

“I’m serious. You are very impressive.”

I flash a smile. It definitely means something coming from him.

“With Shirts, your instincts were right. The product was right. But it wasn’t the right partner. The right partner is everything.”

“I’m learning.”

“Look at who you’re with right now. I think you’re learning pretty fast.”

29

Staring into Dani’s hazel eyes, I decide to tell her something very few people know. The NDA is a comforting factor, but since she knows Declan and his past—and because I want us to be real, with no secrets—I feel compelled to tell her.

“I know about Declan’s life before he waslegit.I won’t lie about that to you,” I say, breaking my focus on the road. “But I’m never going to say that I helped the mafia clean more money in five years than they had in the last hundred.”

“You’re never going to say,” she mocks, picking up what I’m saying.

“Since you know about all that, I’ll speak plainly with you. Declan was the most unique right place, right time event in my life.”

Recalling it, I think about how much of an asshole he was when we first met. So young, cocky, and self-assured. He’s still an asshole, but nowhere near the one I met when he wanted to launch Cryptoball to the public.

“Well …” I continue. “Maybe the second most unique event after you breaking into the cottage.”

She swats my arm, and I feel so comfortable with her. No pretense. “Declan didn’t need investors, but he did need my world and its connections to make Cryptoball what it is today.”

“When did you two meet?”

“Early two thousand eighteen. Most people wouldn’t have touched that company because of the association with his last name, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. He’s made me more money than all my other investments combined.”

As we exit the highway and near my home in Lincoln Park, I need to confirm. “You haven’t spoken to Declan since two thousand seventeen?”

“Haven’t seen the guy,” she says. But I can’t shake the curiosity—why was he so insistent that we invest in Shirts?

Is it because he has a crush on her? Because he feels guilty about Sorin? Or did he think it was the next big brand? Whatever his motivation, Dani doesn’t seem to know.

Breaking the silence, I venture, “If we keep dating, you’ll see a lot of Declan.”

“Dating? I didn’t realize we were dating.”

“Our dinner was a proper date.”

She chuckles. “I think you have to go on multiple dates to be dating.”

“Good thing we’re doing that this week.”

“Good thing.”Dani’s too cute for words.

“Is it going to be okay with you? Seeing more of him? I can’t imagine what it’s like, with Sorin and everything.”

She takes a deep breath before responding. “Seeing Declan will take some getting used to, but … I’ll be fine.”

Pleased, I smile as I pull up to the gate.