Page 68 of The Renter

“Illinois,” one of the men starts. “Why are you still there?”

“In chaos, there’s plenty of opportunity,” Adam says, without missing a beat. I grab his hand, loving seeing him in this environment.

“You’re not joking. I’m getting all the mortgages I can before interest rates rise,” a sixty-something guy says, and Adam nods, agreeing. “Might as well get a bigger sailboat.” They all laugh.

“You can get a mortgage on a sailboat?” I ask him.

“Oh yeah, as long as it has a kitchen and a bathroom.”

The other women here are demure. Speaking when spoken to. I hope that’s not what Adam wants from me. He’s always seemed to like my thoughts.

“You have to look into buying vintage bricks,” another guy says. “Great tax write-off after you donate them.”

Greg, who’s on the other side of the private dining room, gestures for me to come over. With our backs to the guests, we look out the window. “Another round?” he asks, taking out his flask.

“Of course.” I smile. “No Declan?” I ask, surprised he isn’t at this dinner.

“He’s not very social.”

With a drink in hand, I giggle, relieved he isn’t coming.

“I hear Adam calling you his girlfriend,” Greg says, and I don’t know how to respond. “Does he really think this is going to work?” Greg’s probably the type of guy who’s sizing me up too, testing me to see how I respond. I consider what I should say, but then Greg says, “He can’t have the distraction right now.”

“I thought he was keeping work light until the end of summer.”

“Mm-hmm,” he hums, like he knows something I don’t.

“Did he tell you why we shipped him out of the city?”

“The divorce and it being too much of the wrong kind of attention for the company.”

Greg smiles, shaking his head, pleased with whatever he’s about to say. “He also threw a conference phone at one of our bankers.”

He’s challenging me, provoking me. While I heard what he said, I don’t let it show on my face.

“You haven’t seen the ruthless side of him yet,” he says.Is that a warning?I don’t say anything and take that as my cue to return to Adam.

“Dani, you’re so wonderful,” a guy says as I regain my place next to Adam. “I hope he’s being a good boy.”

Adam squeezes my hand and responds, “I’m renovating my house for her, and she’s still on the fence about moving in.”

“Keep him guessing. I like that.” He winks at me.Gross.But I stay polite and smile. “My wife decided she’s happiest in her own house without me.”

“It’s cheaper than a divorce.” Adam laughs. “Trust me.”

They laugh together, and I consider what life with the venture capitalist version of Adam Harris will be like. My mind leaves the annoying conversations as I consider how I only know the vacation version of my boyfriend.

“Adam, sit here.” Greg gestures to the head of the table. I take a seat nearest Adam. He quickly pulls my chair closer to him. “Better,” he growls, placing his hand on my knee. “You look so sexy tonight,” Adam whispers, moving his hand up as he says it.

“This is a business dinner,” I warn. He nudges his fork onto the floor, kisses my ankle, and then my knee on his way back up. Blushing, I shoot daggers at him with my eyes.

“Greg said you’re working on a project.” I change the subject.

“We always have projects going on.”

“No. Like something that will take up a lot of your time.”

“I might buy a company.”