Page 50 of The Renter

“Of course! I’m excited. Allison sent me to meet Nikola, and we picked out an outfit for tonight.” Dani pauses. “It was, like, five thousand dollars. I hope that’s okay.” She begins rambling, “Nikola insisted it would be. I’ve never spent that much money on a dress or shoes in my life. I feel weird.”

“Don’t.” I chuckle, finding it cute that she’s so nervous about the money.

“Okay, good because she also sent over a glam team to your house. They’re currently working on my hair and makeup.”

Nikola is the best.I breathe in relief, happy the moment with Wendy didn’t derail our Chicago visit. It was smart of Allison to have Dani and Nikola get together to lighten the mood.

“You said being in Chicago was going to be experiencing your real life.” She giggles, almost nervously. “Your real life so far is insane. I’m, like, an overwhelmed alien right now.” I hear excitement and apprehension in her voice.

“I can’t wait to see you,” I reassure her.

“Wow.” Dani stands taller than usual in the kitchen, enjoying a glass of wine. She’s always beautiful, but right now, with her styled hair and makeup, she looks the part. The Amal to George Clooney. Victoria to David Beckham. She belongs in this world.

Examining the long-sleeve merlot-colored dress that hugs every inch of her, my eyes are locked on the small cutout right under her chest.

“You look stunning.” The dress is perfect, and the black strappy heels give me some ideas for later. Dani motions toward an empty glass, and I shake my head. “Let’s go.”

As we ride in a black, chauffeured Town Car to One, which is only a few blocks from my place, I feel compelled to revisit the Wendy incident. “I’m sorry about Wendy showing up at the house today. Had I known, I would have had the attorneys all over it.”

A small, understanding smile grows on her face.

“Wendy won’t be stopping by ever again.” I squeeze her hand. “That will hopefully be the first and last time you ever see her.”

“It’s only fair, I suppose. You had your moment with Sorin, and now this. I guess we’re even.”

Jest.I’m learning that Dani’s reaction to uncomfortable situations is to make them light.

“How many other ex-encounters will there be?” I joke.

“That’s all on my end.”

“Yeah right. You have to have a long line of past boyfriends.” She shakes her head.Interesting.Is Sorin her only ex-boyfriend? “Let’s agree to leave ex-encounters in the past, shall we?”

“Deal.” Her eyes sparkle, excited for what’s to come and living in this moment with me. “But what about Nikola?” she asks after a brief pause.

“Nikola?”

“Yeah, have you two ever … you know, dated?” Her curiosity is too cute.

“She’s not my type,” I say, staring into Dani’s eyes and squeezing her knee.

“How is a stunning Eastern European model not your type?”

“Too … spidery for my taste. I’ve always been drawn to someone more … ‘fun size,’” I flirt, emphasizing the last words by raking my eyes over her. Cupping her face with my hand, I pull her in for a kiss. “I hope you know that you are more to me than your perfect little body,” I whisper, pulling away.

She playfully squints, and I love the sass.

As we arrive at One, the atmosphere is buzzing with a subtle, refined energy. The restaurant, reminiscent of Alinea with its avant-garde approach and celebrity chef, promised an unforgettable evening.

I’m captivated by Dani. She has this poised elegance about her tonight. You’d never know dining at a place like this was a new experience for her. She tries everything, even the exotic stuff, and each course of the tasting menu is more surprising and delightful than the last.

“I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that you have a stylist,” Dani says after a bite.

“Personal shopper, stylist, whatever you want to call it. I don’t have time or desire to go to a store and shop.” Dani nods, considering my point of view. “Nikola has all my measurements and brings clothes to me, wherever I am. It’s a great convenience. I will always pay for convenience.”

I take a sip of my whiskey, admiring how incredible Dani looks tonight. “Use her for anything we’re doing together. I don’t want you to be stressed about what to wear. And don’t worry about the money.”

“I don’t want to take advantage,” she says softly.