Page 58 of The Renter

“What are you talking about?” I protest. “I just met Adam this summer.”

“It’s not like you talked with him, but you’ve met him,” Brandon insists. “Remember when Kent had you give an elevator pitch?”

As this realization dawns on me, Adam joins us. “Such a small world,” Adam remarks. He wraps his arm around my waist once he’s at my side.

“You’re telling me! I was saying that you two met before—a few summers ago. Dani and I were boating with some friends. We came back from the pier, and Kent asked Dani to give an elevator pitch about herself in front of you and a bunch of other VC guys he was hosting at the lake.”

Adam sips his whiskey, then mutters, “Holy shit.”

Hearing Brandon replay the event, I remember it too. “Crazy.” Looking up at him, I can barely believe it. Adam bends down, kissing the top of my head. The serendipity of it all is not lost on me.

44

Dani and I stroll through the large front yard toward the lake. We’ve been silent for a minute. I’m still processing that I’ve met her before.How bizarre is that?Reaching Kent’s private beach, Dani unstraps her heels, tiptoeing to the water’s edge while giggling.

“Where are you going?” I laugh, taking her in. The metallic dress reflects the water and lowering sun. It’s incredible. She’s incredible.My little water bug.

“How can you see this and not feel compelled to get your feet wet?” she asks, throwing water in my direction.

Looking down at my dress shoes and socks, I don’t feel the same urge as her. “I think I’ll pass on the wet feet today. I’ll enjoy the view.”

Dani arches an eyebrow. “The view, huh? I hope you mean the sunset.”

“Of course.” I smirk. “What else could I be talking about?”

As we continue to banter, I find it refreshing to share these moments with her. The more we talk, the more I feel the urge to put a label on what Dani and I are doing together and who we are to each other.

As the evening progresses, we mix and mingle with the other guests before finding ourselves in front of a photo booth.

“We have to! We don’t have any photos together.” Dani looks up at me, smiling.

Thinking about it, we have experienced so much and captured so little. I did take a photo of her at One that I love, but other than that, she’s right. I wrap my arm around Dani’s waist as we smile for the camera.

“Can you type in your names? Some of these photos will run in theChicago Sun-Times,” the photographer says.

“Oh.” I glance at Dani. “I don’t usually …” I hesitate. Historically, I’ve avoided these kinds of photo ops, valuing my privacy and wanting to keep my face out of the public eye.

“You don’t usually let the press run your photo,” she says, understanding my pause. She’s a publicist. She gets this scenario. “I’ve googled you.” She giggles. “I’ve seen the lack of photos.”

We hold a stare that is growing heated. “If we type in our names, you know they will run this photo, right?”

“Because I look so good?” she teases.

“Yes, and because I’m … me. Do you want to be associated with me so publicly?”

“Do you?” she shoots back.

“Yes.” I want to break my rule for her. I want us to be official. I didn’t think I would have to make this decision so suddenly, but it feels right. “So, we’re together?” I ask, needing to confirm.

“Must be …Sun-Timesis going to say so.”

Smiling, I confidently type in our names on the photographer’s tablet.I want the world to know she’s mine.

Pulling Dani in for a hug, I whisper, “My girlfriend.” She leans back, and I grab her chin before placing a deep kiss on her lips. It’s hard to believe this girl who broke into my summer rental two months ago is now my girlfriend. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“I’m yours.” She breathes, pulling me back down for a kiss.

The camera flashes again, capturing a candid moment that seals the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.