Page 10 of The October Arrangement

“She’s not a stranger, Simon.”

“SHE IS TO ME!” I shouted. I turned around and saw the woman standing there in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. “I have to go.” I ended the call. “What is your name?” I asked.

“Bella Castle.”

“Bella, I’m going to pour myself a scotch, and then you’re going to tell me why you’re in my home, making a mess. Do you understand me?”

She nodded.

I walked over to the bar in the living room and poured myself a drink while she sat down on the couch.

“Explain. Now,” I spoke in a commanding tone.

“My name is Bella Castle, and I’m from Massachusetts. I’m only here for a couple of months, working for Ever & Oak, shooting their fall line. I didn’t have anywhere to stay, and I couldn’t afford the rent here. Daisy said I could stay here because you’d be out of town for three months. She told me she told you, and you were okay with it.”

“Well, she lied to you. She didn’t tell me a thing. And no, I’m not, nor would I be, okay with it. This is my home. My sanctuary. This place is for me and me only.”

“So, you never have people over?”

“Of course I have people over. But they leave. I make decisions all day long. I answer questions. I solve problems that shouldn’t have become problems in the first place. Half the time I can’t walk from my office to the elevator without someone stopping me. When I step off that elevator at night,” I pointed, “it stops. No phone calls unless I choose to answer them. There are no meetings and no conversations I don’t want to have. There is no one asking me for anything.”

Chapter Six

Simon

“You need to pack your things and leave,” I said.

“I don’t have anywhere to go.” Her beautiful blue eyes stared into mine.

“That isn’t my problem, is it? There are hundreds of hotels in the city. Pick one.”

“I can’t afford to stay in a hotel.”

“You took a job here in New York without being able to afford a place to live? Who does that?”

“I was desperate. The company I worked for suddenly shut down because the owners decided to get divorced. We weren’t given any notice. I didn’t make a lot of money, but that wasn’t important. The only important thing was that I was doing a job I loved. I sent out so many resumes, and Ever & Oak were the only ones who got back to me. I called Daisy and asked if I could stay with her while I was here, but her house is being renovated. That’s when she had the idea that I stay here while you were away.”

“She was wrong for doing that. And believe me, I’m not finished with her yet. Cousin or not. And what the hell are those boxes on my kitchen island?”

“Products from Ever & Oak.”

“And what is it you do again?” I asked.

“I’m a content manager.”

“You’re a social media influencer?” My eye narrowed.

“No. I put together and edit content for their social media outlets and website.”

“No wonder you don’t have any money.” I shook my head.

“Like I said. I love doing that kind of work. Money isn’t everything, Simon.”

“It is when you’re basically homeless.”

“I promise to stay out of your way. You won’t even know I’m here. Just for the month of October. One month isn’t a big deal, right?”

“A month is a long time as far as I’m concerned.” I set my drink down, tucked my hands into my pants pockets, and paced around the room. Raine jumped up on Bella’s lap and laid down.