Page 31 of The October Arrangement

“Never. Name a time and place.”

“Gramercy Tavern at 12:30. Will that work?”

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you then, buddy.”

Chapter Fourteen

Simon

I walked into Gramercy Tavern a few minutes before twelve-thirty and spotted Christian in a booth toward the back. When he saw me heading toward him, he stood up.

“Well, look who finally decided to grace me with his presence.” He grinned.

I shook his hand before pulling him into a quick hug. “You’ve been in London for two months. I’m not the problem.”

“You would have been if you were still in Los Angeles.” He smiled.

I slid into the seat across from him as the server came over and took my drink order. It was good to see him again. Christian and I had been friends long enough that neither of us had to make any effort. Months could pass, and we’d pick up exactly where we left off.

“So,” I said. “How was London?”

“Wet.” He chuckled. “Other than that, it was great. Tell me why you ditched Los Angeles two months early?”

“I fixed the problems.”

“Of course you did.”

“I wasn’t going to sit there for another two months once everything was back on track.”

“I don’t blame you. You have enough going on here in New York.”

The server returned with my drink, and we ordered lunch.

“So, what’s new with you?” he asked, setting down his glass of Scotch.

“Nothing,” I said.

“Nothing?”

“No. Not really.”

“Work?” he asked.

“Same as always.”

“Women?”

“No.” I looked down at my drink.

He studied me for a moment and narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying, Simon. You just looked away when I mentioned the word ‘women.’”

“I looked at my drink, Christian.”

“Because you’re hiding something,” he smirked. “I know you, my friend.”

“Fine,” I sighed, picking up my drink. “There’s a woman living in my penthouse.”