Page 102 of The October Arrangement

“I know that. I also know I don’t want her to leave.”

“There’s your answer. Tell her before it’s too late.”

Everyone shouted and jumped to their feet.

“Touchdown!” Christian threw his arms up.

I stared at the field, but my mind was already somewhere else. At home, with Bella. It made me want to get the hell out of the stadium, go home, pull her into my arms, and tell her that I loved her. The problem was whether I was ready to tell her why.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Bella

“How do I look?” Bella smiled, doing a little turn when I walked into the bedroom.

“Beautiful as always.” I walked over and kissed her lips. “Nick is waiting for us downstairs.”

“I’m ready. I just need to grab my purse,” I said.

I climbed into the back seat, and Simon slid next to me.

“I’m really nervous,” I said, glancing at him.

“Why?” His brows furrowed.

“I think you know why. People are going to talk, Simon.”

“So let them. Who cares.”

“Easy for you to say. Nobody is going to think you got your job because you’re sleeping with me.”

“You didn’t get this job because you’re sleeping with me, Bella. You stood in front of people who have been doing this for years and made them rethink how we sell our properties. You saw something they didn’t.”

“All I did was look at some videos,” I said.

“You looked at a failing campaign and understood why it was failing.”

“And then your father suggested you hire me.” I stared at him.

“My father suggested I stop being a stubborn asshole and consider something I was already considering.”

“You were?”

“Yes,” he said.

“You never told me that, Simon.”

“I am now.”

“You really were thinking about hiring me before your father said anything?”

“I was thinking about how much easier my life would be if you weren’t working for me.”

“Wow. That’s reassuring.” My brows furrowed.

“Let me finish. I didn’t want to mix this thing with us with work. I’d spent my entire career keeping my personal life out of the company. Then you walked into that conference room and made it impossible for me to ignore what you could bring to Montclair. You’re not reporting to me. You have a defined role and responsibilities.”

“And if I suck?”