Page 144 of The October Arrangement

“Yes. Down in the lobby. It’s nine thirty at night. Why are you ordering cookies?”

“Because we want them?” She frowned. “Come on, girls. Let’s go get our cookies.”

Saturday morning, I woke up to the twins arguing about something.

“What is going on?” I sleepily asked Bella.

“I don’t know.” She pulled the pillow over her head.

I climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen.

“What is going on in here?”

“Julian ate the yogurt I brought from Harvard.”

“Seriously? I’ll buy you more,” I told her.

“You can only get it at Harvard. It’s homemade. I buy it every week at the farmer’s market.”

“Next time, pick me up some.” Julian grinned, opening the refrigerator.

“You’re a jerk!” Bella shouted.

“And obviously, you don’t know how to share!” He stood with the refrigerator door open.

“Julian?”

“Yeah?”

“Close the refrigerator.”

“I’m looking for something, Dad.”

“For what?” I cocked my head.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Well, figure it out with the door closed!” I spoke loudly.

Olivia started laughing, and Julian turned and looked at me.

“You’re cranky, Daddy,” Olivia said.

“I am not cranky.” I brewed myself a cup of coffee. “I was perfectly happy until I was woken up by you two arguing over a damn yogurt.”

“What’s going on?” Bella walked into the kitchen.

“Daddy’s cranky this morning,” Olivia said.

“For the last time, princess, I’m not cranky.”

By the time Sunday rolled around, there were towels on the bathroom floors, shoes were scattered everywhere, and every charger in the penthouse mysteriously disappeared. Bella and I were sitting on the couch, trying to watch the football game uninterrupted.

“Mom!” Julian shouted from the hall. “Have you seen my black hoodie?”

She closed her eyes and inhaled a sharp breath. I couldn’t help but smile.

“What?” she asked.