Page 42 of The October Arrangement

“And here? You said at home I’m just the guy who gets irritated by pumpkins. What am I here?”

I brought my finger up to my lip as I looked around. “I don’t know.”

“Well, that’s disappointing,” he said.

“I’m thinking. Got it. Important.”

“Important?” His brows furrowed.

“Very.” I smiled.

“Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll take it.”

“And powerful,” I said.

“Obviously,” he smirked.

“Oh, and intimidating.”

“Am I intimidating you, Bella?” he asked in a sultry voice and caught me off guard.

“No.”

“Not even a little?”

I shook my head. “Sorry. Not even a little.”

“You’re not sorry.”

“No. I’m really not.” I smiled.

His eyes dropped to my mouth, and for a moment we shared something. Until his phone rang. Simon let out a breath and walked away.

“I should probably let you get back to being important.” I grabbed my purse.

He declined the call. “You don’t have to leave.”

“I don’t?”

“No.”

For some stupid reason, my heart started to race.

“Careful, Montclair.” I smiled.

“About what?” he asked.

“You almost sounded like you wanted me here.”

“Don’t get carried away, Castle.” He stared at me.

“I’ll see you at home.” I headed toward the door.

“Bella?”

“Yeah?” I stopped and turned around.

“How about we go out to dinner tonight?”