Page 88 of The Renter

He nods, then asks, “Everything else good?”

“Outside of the office, very good. Dani will be moving back to Chicago soon.” I smile, feeling lighter, thinking about her.

“You’re still together,” he says under his breath, surprised.

I can’t help but react emotionally, fired up from the call and now this. “At the end of the year, I’m deducting the Shirts loss from your profit sharing.”

He squints a little. Three million dollars would be a bad night at the casino for Declan. It’s an insignificant amount to him.

“Putting that shit stain on the annual report will only rile up investors. It’s a bad look for us in a lot of ways … We don’t need anyone reading into it further,” I state, and he would be wise to agree. “Stupid name, stupid company.” I huff, annoyed about how fucked such a small deal was.

Maybe we shouldn’t do deals under ten million dollars anymore?I’m not personally involved in deals under ten … This wouldn’t have happened if I was involved. We never would have invested if I was involved.Dani is worth it though.It’s not like my ex didn’t spend three million on stupid shit all the time.

“Nice way to talk about your girlfriend,” Declan challenges, bringing me back to the present.

“Pining over my girlfriend is also getting pretty fucking pathetic.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Being with someone nearly twenty years younger than you …” He trails off, leaving the conference room without finishing his sentence.

“Fucker!” I mutter, left standing there alone in the conference room, angry and frustrated.

The charity gala tonight, which I had no intention of attending initially, has now become a necessary appearance. I type quickly, texting Dani.

Adam Harris

I know it’s last minute. Join me at an event tonight? I have to attend.

Dani Sommer

Let me check my calendar …

I chuckle, knowing she has no plans other than swimming in my pool. Her playfulness easing the stress of today.

Dani Sommer

I’m available. How dressy is it?

Her text reminds me of the formality of the event.

Adam Harris

Black tie. Nikola is all over it.

I tap Nikola’s contact on my phone. “Emergency,” I say as she answers. “Get Dani black-tie options and meet her at the house with your glam team. She needs to be ready by five thirty. Also, drop off a tuxedo for me at the office. I’ll be meeting her at the event.”

“Done. Done and done.” Nikola’s concise response is the exact convenience I pay for. Hanging up, I consider if Allison were ever to leave, Nikola would be a strong candidate for my next assistant. It’s a relief to know that one aspect of my day is going smoothly.

As I put my phone away, my mind shifts to the evening ahead. I despise the pretense of charity theater, but tonight, it serves a purpose. It’s an opportunity to remind the governor who he’s dealing with and to have an off-the-record conversation with someone who might be my next political pony.

72

Nikola’s arrival at Adam’s house with her glam squad was the perfect convenience. The reality of life with a billionaire sets in a bit more. On a whim, people rearrange their days to accommodate his requests. Thousands of dollars are spent to look the part for a few hours. Both are so normal for him and so novel to me.

With the hair and makeup people hovering over me, I ask Nikola, “Did Adam tell you what this gala is for?”

She shrugs. “They’re all the same—give your money to me, enjoy the tax deduction, and feel good about yourself.” I giggle at her straightforwardness.

Helping me get into her favorite of the dresses, I stare at myself in the mirror. I don’t think I’ve ever worn this much makeup. I look like myself, but, like, the A-list version. I take a photo in front of the full-length mirror in my closet and send it to the Baddies group chat.