Page 46 of The October Arrangement

“This is beautiful,” I said, placing the cloth napkin on my lap.

“I thought you’d like it.”

“Oh, so you thought about whether I’d like it? You gave it some thought first?”

“I chose a restaurant, Bella,” he sighed.

“That isn’t what you said, Simon.”

“Bella.” His tone was firm.

“I’m just making an observation.” I smiled.

A man in a dark suit approached the table.

“Mr. Montclair. Good evening.” He poured water from a fancy pitcher into our glasses.

“Good evening.” Simon smiled.

“May I get you something to drink other than water?”

“I’ll have a double scotch. Bella?”

“I’ll have a cosmopolitan, please.”

“Coming right up.”

I looked around the restaurant. “This place must be impossible to get into.”

“It can be.”

“And you just happened to get a table the same day you asked me to dinner?”

“Yes,” he said, looking over the menu.

“How?”

“I called.”

“Of course you did.” I laughed.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You live in a completely different New York than everyone else.”

“I made a reservation,” he said.

The server walked over and set our drinks down.

“Can I ask you something?” I stared at him.

“Of course, you may.”

“How far out are you booking reservations?”

“I believe right now there’s a three-month waitlist.”

After he took our order, I stared at Simon.