Page 66 of The Renter

“Utah,” he says in a laugh.

“Ugh, really?”

“Half the guys here are in that world,” he says low. “Be mindful of that in your conversations.”

“You probably just saved my ass.” I giggle and notice Declan’s eyes glance down at me, checking me out.

“Stop,” I whisper.

“If you insist.” He’s blatantly flirting with me.

My eyes shoot daggers at him. I’m officially sweating. This conversation has gone too far, too fast. “I want to pay you back,” I say after a moment.

“No. Absolutely not.”

If I paid Declan back, maybe I wouldn’t feel this tension when I’m with him.

“Come on. It was too much.”

He sighs, then changes the subject. “Is something wrong with your bike?”

“No,” I say, too defensively.

“It hasn’t moved since you’ve been back. Why aren’t you riding?”

“That’s a really stalker thing to say.” I laugh, deflecting how he’s keeping tabs on me.But how does he know that?I fight the urge to say I’ve been riding something else. “It’s not my thing anymore.” It feels like a lie saying it. I’ve been so caught up in Adam, I haven’t thought about riding.

“I doubt that,” he says, his eyes challenging my lie. “I don’t get you,” his voice nearly whispers. “Are you dating Adam because he’sAdam Harris, or do you have a thing for old guys?”

“Old guys?” I raise my brow at him, then sass, “You’re in your thirties.”

“Yeah. Not forties.”

“I’m not justifying why I’m with my boyfriend to you.”

He shakes his head, biting his thumbnail, not liking my response. Declan bends down, whispering in my ear, “I’ve never deleted any of the texts you sent me.”

I jab him in the ribs with my finger, reflexively, and he walks away with a soft chuckle. Does he realize the landmine he threw? He’s never deleted any of my texts? My mind flashes to the lingerie selfie I sent him.

“Fuck,” I huff. He’s fucking flirting with me! Here. Of all places. It seriously cannot be because I haven’t had a drink today. Can it?

50

As much of a time commitment as these conferences are, it’s an efficient way to get face time with the right people. Everyone, including me, is curious about what’s happening in the capital markets, especially with interest rates.

Dani is doing better than expected. I didn’t think she would be nervous or anything, but I also didn’t expect her to be so confident meeting my peers. She talks to everyone with ease, unfazed by the various levels of status. Her lighthearted nature is perfect for these fast conversations.

“What were you and Declan talking about?” I ask as she returns to my side.

“Jesus,” she says, the jest as sharp as ever.

“I like your humor, but you have to be careful using that word around here,” I whisper, interlacing my fingers with hers.

“I’m learning.”

“Let’s go back to the room to change. Greg set up a dinner tonight.” We walk hand in hand out of the stale ballroom, back outside.

“What’s the vibe for dinner?” she asks as we walk along the stone path to our chalet.