Page 86 of The Renter

“How much is parking?” Dani asks.

“It’s one seventy-five a month.”

“What about motorcycle parking?”

“We don’t charge differently for that—a space is a space.”

I smile. Happy to hear she didn’t sell her bike.

“Show us a larger, two-bedroom unit where she could have a home office and a primary bedroom,” I say to the leasing agent. She takes us up the elevator to a higher floor.It’s much better.

Dani, however, is hesitant. “It’s too much money,” she protests. Her practicality is one of the things I admire about her, but I wish she’d let herself dream a bit bigger and let me take care of her.

I raise my eyebrows in a gentle challenge. “Dani, let me do this. Think of it as my investment in you.” I mean every word. I believe in her and want to support her dreams in whatever form they take.

She looks around the apartment.She loves it. It’s all over her face. “I’ll think about it,” she promises, squeezing my hand.

As we leave the building, I feel a mix of hope and apprehension. I want to give her the world, and it’s a delicate balance, trying to support her without overstepping.

Driving back to my place, I’m filled with thoughts about our future. How can I help her while honoring her need to stand on her own?

The drive is quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I keep glancing at Dani, trying to gauge her feelings about the apartment and everything else.

“What if we break up?” she asks, ending our silence.

“What do you mean?” Although I already have an inkling of where this is heading.

“If you get me this apartment, what if we break up?”

“Are you worried about the rent?”

“They said it was, like, five thousand a month. I can’t even fathom paying that on my own.”

“Dani, I would never leave you in a bad situation.” I grab her hand. “How about I promise to pay for the entire lease? One year’s rent,” I offer, wanting to give her security.

“You say that now.” I hear the skepticism in her tone.

“We can put it in writing if it makes you feel better,” I suggest, eager to alleviate her worries. “This apartment will help you grow your business so much faster. You’ll be in the heart of the city, able to meet clients in person and live where the action is.”

“I don’t?—”

“Dani, you deserve this. You deserve the world.” I see her brain going into overdrive. “It’s also selfish on my part,” I add, trying to lighten the mood. “Being down the street from my office has its perks too.”

“It’s so much money. It’s too much.”

“I understand it’s too soon for you to live with me, and this is the next best option.”

She falls silent for a moment, pondering my words. “What if I decide I want to live with you?”

The question teases me. “Then you move in.” We hold a long stare, smiles growing on both of our faces before I need to look back at the road. She’s at least considering it. I’m happy about that. “Breaking a lease is easy enough.” I wink.

“I’m going to keep thinking about it,” she says after a pause.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief and squeeze her hand. She’s considering the offer and weighing her options. That’s all I can ask for now.

70

Wednesday, July 27th