Page 13 of The October Arrangement

“So, what if I meet⁠—”

“No.” I snapped.

“I haven’t even finished my sentence.” She looked up at me.

“I know where that sentence was going.” I set the mug on the island.

“No, you don’t,” she said.

“Yes, I do.”

“What if I make a friend?” she asked.

“You can see them somewhere else.”

“And what if I meet a man?”

“Definitely somewhere else,” I replied immediately.

“Interesting.” She looked down at the paper.

“What’s interesting?”

“The way you answered that so fast.”

“Because I’m not coming home and finding some strange man in my penthouse.”

“Oh. But it’s okay if you bring women here?”

“For fuck’s sake. This is MY home. I can bring anyone here when I want. These rules are for YOU. Not me.”

“Rule number five. “Primary bathroom is off limits.”

“You have your own bathroom,” I said.

“I know. Why would I use yours?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Are there secrets in your shower?” she smirked. “Bodies?”

“Knock it off and keep reading.”

“Rule number six. Don’t rearrange my kitchen.”

“I didn’t.” Her brows furrowed.

“You moved the jar with the coffee pods from the cabinet and put it next to the coffee maker. It doesn’t belong on the counter.”

“But why? It’s easier just to reach over and grab a pod than having to reach up into the cabinet,” she said.

“It’s my rule, Bella. Cabinet!”

“You might actually need professional help.” She frowned. “Rule number seven. Clean up after yourself. I’m clean.”

“There’s a coffee mug in the sink from God knows when, and the boxes that were sitting on the island yesterday.”

“The boxes had just been delivered,” she said. “I was going to put them in my room after my shower, but before I could, you scared the shit out of me.”