Page 56 of The Renter

My phone buzzes, and I look down, seeing a new text from the Baddies group chat.

Adam looks at my phone too. “Baddies?” he asks.

“My high school friends … Sam, Sarah, Kelsey, and I are the Baddies. A little nickname we coined back then.”

He smiles, and I open the group chat. “Holy shit!” I scream.

“What?”

“Sam’s engaged!” I stare at the picture of her with her left hand on her man’s chest. “They’ve only been dating for eight years. I’m so excited for them.”

“Let me see,” he asks, and I hand him my phone.

“Poor girl,” he says softly and I furrow my brow, curious what he’s saying. “That ring is so small.”

I swat his arm. “Not everyone’s a billionaire.”

“Lucky for you, I am.”

I roll my eyes, although I agree with him. Texting Sam a congratulations message, Adam lifts my chin with his finger, distracting me from the text. “I’ll give you everything you want. Know that.”

43

Saturday, July 9th

Sitting in the Porsche next to Adam, in the perfect outfit for this twenties-themed party, I feel so right. The silver fringe dress is amplified by old-time Hollywood glam waves and makeup with faux-pearl necklaces and a beaded headpiece. I love a theme and love the fact that I’ve nailed this one.

Driving through the gate to Kent Dubois’s mansion, the dramatic shift from my last summer in Wisconsin and today hit me. I’m so happy, yet I feel so much stress being back here. I take a deep breath, reminding myself I’m pulling up with someone who supports me in every way and wants to see me succeed and stand on my own.

My memories won’t stay away, though. I’m reminded how Kent’s son, Brandon Dubois, and my “party friend” Kate went to embarrassing and frankly absurd lengths to get me out of Sorin’s house for the night so I could attend this party all those summers ago. I tried texting Brandon and Kate earlier this week to see if they would be attending and both texts were undeliverable. I guess they changed their numbers.

Shaking my head, I can’t believe I was once in a situation where I didn’t feel free to leave a man’s house. No one will ever control my life the way I let Sorin. I’m so happy with the progress my life has made not only this summer but over the last five years.

“The password is blind pig,” the valet informs us.

Linking my arm with Adam’s, who looks incredibly dapper in his pinstriped suit, giving off aPeaky Blindersvibe, my life has upgraded in every way. As we ascend the steps of Kent’s home, I feel a surge of pride and optimism with a growing business and a happy heart. I am a completely different person from the last time I was here.

At the door, a gruff voice from a small window demands the password. Adam’s laugh, followed by “blind pig,” gets us in.

Being here right now is a culmination. I belong at this party and in this scene where guests include everyone from politicians to CEOs.

Inside, Kent, Brandon, and a woman, I assume, is Kent’s wife, stand in the foyer greeting guests. Seeing Brandon after almost three years, I can’t contain my excitement and nearly tackle him with a hug. His brown eyes and jawline are still something to look at, but I’ve never been attracted to him like that.

Adam shakes Kent’s hand, beginning introductions, but Kent interrupts. “Dani, it’s been too long.” His recognition surprises me. He’d only briefly met me two times during the summer of 2017.

“I’m stealing her,” Brandon says before Kent can continue, looping his arm around mine. We step outside, and I snag a glass of champagne from a server.

“Adam fucking Harris!” Brandon looks in disbelief once we’re alone on the deck.

“It’s … new-ish.”

“Your glow-up is insane.” He laughs. “How’d you even meet Adam fucking Harris?”

I playfully punch him. “Stop calling him that!” I notice Brandon isn’t drinking. “You need a drink for this story.”

“I’m good. I’ve been sober for almost three years now,” he reveals, shocking me.

“What? California sober or sober sober?”