Page 88 of The Revenge Agenda

“Yeah, of course. Is your partner coming?”

Rylan sighs, smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “No. My ridiculous partner is not coming.”

“Did you tell him Hunter only has eyes for me?” Rush asks, and I glance between them, wondering, far from the first time, if I somehow missed a step in this conversation.

“I did, but he worked himself up so much that I snuck out without him.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, taking one of the seats. “What was he worked up over?”

“He didn’t want you to fall in love with him.”

“He …” I shake my head because I can’t have heard him right. “Is there a reason he thinks I’d fall in love with him?”

“Because men usually do, to be fair. Well, not in love, but he has a way of attracting people very quickly. I learned early on to get used to it.”

That sounds like a goddamn headache. “Well, like Rush said, I only have eyes for him, so Kai doesn’t have to worry.”

“I’ll be sure to let him know.” Rylan barely manages to contain the amusement in his voice.

The waiter shows up, and we order, me getting more nervous by the minute. We all know what this meeting is about—Rush spoke with Rylan before setting the time—but he hasn’t mentioned a room yet, which doesn’t seem like a good sign.

Am I supposed to be the one who brings it up?

Fuck me, how awkward. Begging for a room and then having to talk them into it too. I’d channel Rush’s begging skills, but then Kai probably would worry I was hitting on him.

“What do you think?” Rush bursts out, and I could kiss him, I swear.

Rylan’s gaze moves from him to me and back again, and the serious expression doesn’t fill me with hope.

“The thing is, we don’t have anywhere available at the moment.”

My expectation crashes to the ground. I’m so fucking deflated that I actually smother my face in my hands and groan into them. How is this happening? I’m so determined to stay in Seattle, but unless I move in with the fucking guy I’ve just started dating, it looks like I’m running out of options.

Ian is going to win.

“I have a few friends with their own rental properties, so I asked around to see if any of them have something available.” Rylan turns sympathetic eyes on me. “All their property managers advised against it.”

“Fuck.” I drag my hand through my hair. “Fuck.”

“I know it’s frustrating?—”

Rush cuts him off. “Actually, you don’t because you don’t know the full conversation.”

“Full conversation?” Our drinks are brought over, and Rylan ignores his. “Is there a story?”

“Yes there’s a story,” Rush snaps. “Our ex-boyfriend is a real estate agent, and somehow, he’s had Hunter blocked from every possible house he’s applied for.”

“Every house?”

I don’t want to get into it and sound petty to someone I’ve just met. “I don’t know how, but I’ve had a run of bad luck, and he hinted that he’s responsible.”

“I’m sure blacklisting tenants is illegal in Washington.”

“Tell that to Ian,” I mutter. “There’s nothing we can do, and we don’t have any evidence.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I had something; I really do.”

“Well, I appreciate that you at least said all that to my face,” I say.

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