Page 109 of The October Arrangement

“I did? Doesn’t sweetheart and girlfriend go together? Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“I’m not. I’m just shocked.”

My brows furrowed. “Why are you shocked?”

“Because you don’t use pet names.”

“How do you know that?” I asked.

“Really?” Her head cocked.

“I don’t.” I chuckled. “But you’re my girlfriend, and sweetheart comes with the territory. So, get used to it.”

She climbed on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Say it again.” She smiled.

“You can finish your work tomorrow at the office, sweetheart. We have to watch our movie, sweetheart. Is that enough for you?”

“Never.” Her lips pressed against mine.

“How about this? I love you. I’m so in love with you, Bella Castle.” I smiled as I ran my hand down the back of her head.

“You love me?”

“Yes, and I’m not afraid to say it. I love you.”

“God, Simon. I love you too.” She hugged me.

“Are you sure?”

She broke our embrace and stared at me. “Of course. I’ve been in love with you, you big dummy.”

I laughed. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was afraid.”

“Yeah. So was I.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek. “It feels right, Bella. You feel right. You’re in my home. In my bed. At my company, driving everyone insane.”

“I do not drive everyone insane,” she said.

“You made your team show up at five in the morning for sunrise footage.”

“They volunteered!”

“Because they’re afraid of you,” I smirked. “Listen, you came into my life when I didn’t want anyone in it. I had everything exactly the way I wanted it. I had my company, my penthouse, and my schedule. Nobody asked me for anything or expected anything from me. You invaded my sanctuary.”

“Don’t forget about your rules,” she said.

“Ah, yes. My ten perfectly reasonable rules.”

“They weren’t reasonable,” she said.

“They were excellent rules, Bella.”

“They were ridiculous rules, Simon.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. Those rules are out the window. I only made them because I wanted to make sure you didn’t interfere with my life. But you still interfered with every fucking part of it.” I smiled. “You took over my kitchen. You turned my fireplace into a pumpkin patch. Fuck. Harold is still sitting in the kitchen. You leave your shit everywhere, and you’ve somehow managed to get more closet space than I have.”