Page 62 of The October Arrangement

And shoes.

Jesus Christ.

Three more dots appeared.

BUY. THE. SHOES.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Fine. Goodbye.

I changed into my clothes and opened the fitting room door.

“I’ll take the dress,” I said to Celeste.

“I knew you would.” She smiled.

“And apparently, I need shoes.”

“Now, you’re speaking my language.” Her smile widened. “Shoes are on the second floor. Follow me.”

Twenty minutes later, I was sitting on a velvet sofa surrounded by boxes of shoes. The first five pairs I tried on weren’t comfortable. She returned with another box, took out the shoes, and placed the strappy heels in front of me. I tried them on, looked in the mirror, and smiled. They were not only perfect. They felt comfortable.

“I’ll take them.”

“Would you like to know how much they cost?” Celeste asked.

“No.” I smiled.

“Good girl.”

When everything was boxed and wrapped, I walked to the counter and happily pulled Simon’s card from my purse. Celeste took it without batting an eye.

“Would you like everything delivered?” she asked.

“You do that sort of thing?”

“Of course.” She laughed. “I’ll just need your address.”

I rattled it off, and she stopped typing and looked at me.

“You live with Mr. Montclair?”

“You know his address? Does everyone in the city know him?”

“Pretty much.” She smiled.

“Excuse me.” I heard a woman’s voice from behind.

I turned and looked at her.

“Are you, by any chance, Bella?”

“Yes, I am. Who are you?”

“I’m Mary.” She smiled. “William Montclair’s girlfriend. He’s told me all about you.”

“Oh my gosh. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. But then again, I’d only spoken to him twice.”