Page 2 of The October Arrangement

“He’s overseeing the Hudson Yards project.”

“Bennett?” I asked.

“He’s overseeing the Miami project.”

“As I said, Dad, I’m buried in work here.”

“And you have an executive team that can handle the work while you’re gone. It’s only for three months. You need to get your ass there and get things up and running and straightened out. I already booked your flight for tomorrow morning at nine a.m.”

“What the hell? No.”

“It’s not up for discussion, son. When I retire, you’ll be running this company on your own. Until then, you still report to me. I’m your boss, and when I tell you to do something, you’ll do it.”

“Why can’t you go?” I asked.

“Because Mary can’t take three months off from her charity work, and there’s no way I’m leaving for three months. You don’t have a life, so for you, it’s no big deal.”

“I have a life. What the hell are you talking about?” My brows furrowed.

“You know, Simon. Three months in Los Angeles might actually be good for you.”

“There is absolutely nothing good about spending three months babysitting a construction project.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “Look at it this way. You’ll fly three thousand miles across the country and live exactly the same way you do here. You’ll work fourteen hours, eat dinner at your desk, then screw whichever woman catches your attention before going back to work the next morning.”

“I don’t screw whichever woman catches my attention.” My brows furrowed. “I have standards.”

“I’m relieved.” He rolled his eyes. “My son has standards.”

“And why are we discussing my sex life?”

“Because you don’t have anything else to discuss.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it.” I pointed at him.

“Name one thing in your life that doesn’t involve this company or a woman whose last name you don’t know.” His brow raised.

I stared at him.

“That’s what I thought,” he said.

“I’m not playing this game, Dad.”

“You’re thirty-two years old, son. You need to be in a relationship.”

“Now I know you’ve lost your fucking mind,” I said.

“I’m dead serious, son.”

“So am I.”

“Would it kill you to date someone longer than a week?”

“Probably.” I nodded.

He stared at me for a moment and headed toward the door. “Keep me updated. I’ll see you in three months.” He walked out.

“Sonia, get in here,” I shouted.