Page 47 of The Renter

“I guess,” I say hesitantly.

“I owe you. Make sure Adam knows he owes you too. I’ll text her that she can come in … in ten minutes?”

“Sure. Okay.”

Flustered, I run to the room and change into a simple athleisure look. Then, I make my way downstairs. I’d rather not be here when she’s here. There’s got to be a coffee shop nearby. I’ll walk down the street. Enjoy a coffee there and then come back.

I open the front door only to come face-to-face with an attractive, short woman who’s likely in her forties.Wendy.Everything about her is rich bitch. She’s wearing long white shorts and a tan cowl-neck tank top and has paired it with a white Birkin bag.

She laughs, basically cackling upon seeing me. “That didn’t take him long.” She scoffs. “You’re so young,” she says after a moment of eyeing me up and down.

This is some drama I do not need. I say nothing and turn around, walking back into the house and toward the pool. A few steps later, she says, “He’ll grow tired of you, trust me.”

Her taunting words hit a nerve, and before I could stop myself, I yell back, “Bitch, you don’t know me!”

She smiles like she’s almost impressed. “You’ve got more backbone than I did when I was your age; I’ll give you that.”

“Grab your stupid furniture and leave already.”

“After he takes away your career and your freedom, you’ll understand why I’m so attached to my antiques.”

This is drama well above the fuckbuddy pay grade. As I wait for her to leave outside, my mind races with questions and doubts. I feel so guilty about my impulsive reaction. I’m sure seeing me, someone so much younger than her, was triggering because of their fertility issues. Her warnings about Adam, though, play and replay in my mind. What am I really getting into with him?

35

Feeling overwhelmed after the encounter with Wendy, I reach for my phone, desperate to talk to Adam about what just happened. But call after call goes unanswered, and my texts remain without reply. Each passing minute fuels my frustration and anxiety.I need to talk to him.

In a moment of desperation, I call Adam’s assistant.

“Can you get Adam on the line?”

“I wish I could. We have these rules about interrupting his meetings. He’s with Tier One people right now, which has a firm do not disturb rule.”

I huff in frustration but feel somewhat comforted he’s not ignoring me. “Sorry. I’m not trying to get you fired. I’m feeling overwhelmed about what happened—and unprepared for tonight.”

“We’ve never set rules for,” Allison hesitates, “significant others,” she says very matter-of-factly.

Right. I’m not his girlfriend.I’m just some girl he brought to Chicago to fuck?Spiraling, Allison’s words break my intrusive thoughts.

“When I started working here, he and Wendy were in the process of getting divorced and only spoke through their attorneys.”

I start pacing, overwhelmed by my day so far.

“Unprepared,” she says after a moment. “Did you not bring anything to wear?”

“I could make something work, but it’s One. I should wear a dress that doesn’t look like I came from the office, you know?”

“Oh! I got you!” Her tone is warm and excited. “Adam’s stylist Nikola is awesome. She will take care of you. Let me call her.”

Stylist?Adam has a stylist? “That’s okay. I can go to Nordstrom Rack or something. I have enough time.”

She giggles. “Adam has an account with her. I’m not suggesting you use your own money.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Absolutely! And he fucking owes you after what happened. I’ll have a car pick you up at his place in, like, thirty minutes?”

“I’m feeling very spoiled,” I joke, trying to make this whole scene light. “Will I see you at the office tomorrow? It will be great to meet you.”