Page 26 of The October Arrangement

“In Simon’s penthouse?” he asked.

How many times was this man going to ask that?

“Yes.”

“Without asking Simon?”

“Yes. But in my defense, she told me that she told him and said he was fine with it. But then he came back two months early.”

“And my son didn’t kill either of you?” I could see the amusement on his face.

“Not yet.”

William chuckled. “I take it he wasn’t pleased.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” I said.

“I know my son better than anyone. Mildly isn’t a word I’d use to describe his displeasure.”

“Well, he did try to kick me out.”

“Now that sounds more like him,” he smirked.

“I’m only in New York for the next month. Finding somewhere else to stay on short notice isn’t easy.”

“So Simon let you stay? That doesn’t sound like something my son would do.”

“Reluctantly,” I sighed.

“Very reluctantly, I imagine,” he said.

“You have no idea, Mr. Montclair.”

He walked closer to the coffee table and studied my display.

“There’s an arrangement,” I said.

William turned his head and looked at me. “An arrangement? What kind of arrangement?”

“He agreed to let me stay through the 31st if I follow his rules.”

“His rules?”

“Ten of them. They’re posted on the refrigerator.”

“You’re kidding.” He walked into the kitchen and over to the refrigerator. “Of course he wrote out rules.”

“You don’t seem surprised,” I said, standing behind him.

“Simon was making lists before he could even spell half the words on them.”

I let out a laugh. He turned and looked at me.

“So which rule are you breaking by your coffee table display?” he asked.

“Technically, several. It’s a gray area.”

“I see.” He walked back into the living room, and I followed.