Page 97 of The October Arrangement

“I know. He told me a bit about his mother.”

“Be patient with him. Even when he says something stupid. Sometimes, my son speaks out of fear. But he’s a good man with a heart of gold if he lets himself.”

“I know.” I smiled.

“And what are you two talking about?” Simon handed me a glass of wine.

“Now that’s none of your business, son.” He patted Simon’s shoulder and walked away.

“He wasn’t bothering you, was he?” Simon asked.

“No.” I laughed. “Your father is a great man. He could never bother me.”

“What universe are you living in?” His brows furrowed.

“Stop it.” I playfully slapped his chest.

Once the charity event ended, we went home and spent the next hour having amazing, mind-bending sex. He was asleep beside me, one arm wrapped around my waist, as I was snuggled against him, my head resting on his chest. I should have been asleep. It was after two a.m. We’d spent hours at the charity event, and my feet still hurt from the heels I’d insisted were worth every penny.

My mind wouldn’t shut off. I kept replaying the night in my head. The ballroom, champagne, and the endless introductions to people I’d probably never see again. I couldn’t stop thinking about how his hand stayed on the small of my back as we made our way across the ballroom, like it was a permanent fixture. I slowly lifted my head, looked at him, and smiled. His hair was a mess from my fingers, and even though he’d just shaved hours ago, there was a faint shadow starting to form along his jaw. My Simon. The thought made my chest squeeze. But I didn’t know what he was. That was the part I kept trying not to think about. We slept and woke up together. We argued over stupid things. He paid for things I didn’t ask him to, and then acted like I was insane for arguing about it. We’d gone to the fall festival with his father and Mary like a normal couple. And now, I’d be staying in New York permanently and working for him.

I was frightened because we hadn’t reached the point of what any of it meant. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask because asking meant I might get an answer I didn’t want, and I’d be left heartbroken.

Simon had been very clear from the beginning. He didn’t do relationships. He liked his life uncomplicated. Shit, he’d written ten rules just so I could live in his penthouse for a month. Everything about our situation had an expiration date. Hattie was coming back to Ever & Oak. I was supposed to move out, and my temporary life in New York was supposed to end. But then everything changed, and suddenly, I was staying.

I was in love with Simon Montclair on a level I never knew was possible. I loved the arrogant, controlling, impossible man who thought money solved everything. I loved the way he pretended not to care about things he clearly cared about. But loving him didn’t mean he loved me. That was the terrifying part. I knew Simon wanted me. There was no question about that. I knew he cared about me, and I wasn’t stupid enough to pretend he didn’t. But love? A relationship? A future? Those were entirely different things. And Simon had spent most of his adult life making sure none of those things got anywhere near him.

I closed my eyes to try and put it out of my head. I needed to be careful and take things one day at a time. I wanted to tell him how deeply in love with him I was, but I knew my life could change in the blink of an eye if I did.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Simon

I shook two aspirin in my hand and chased them down with a glass of water while my coffee brewed.

“That bad?” Bella walked into the kitchen.

“I probably shouldn’t have done those last two shots last night,” I smirked.

My coffee had finished brewing. Bella grabbed the mug and handed it to me.

“Thank you.” I leaned over and kissed her forehead. “What are your plans for today?”

“Well, since you’re going to the football game with Christian, I’m going shopping for new clothes for my new job.” She grinned.

“Good idea,” I said, reaching into my wallet and pulling out my credit card.

“No, Simon. I’m buying my own clothes.”

“Fine,” I sighed, putting the card back inside my wallet.

A couple of hours later, Bella was racing around the penthouse.

“Have you seen my phone?” she asked.

“No. Last time I saw it was when you were texting your mom in the kitchen.”

“And I haven’t had it since.”