Page 61 of The October Arrangement

“Do you love it?” Celeste asked.

“Yes. That’s the problem.”

“Then I’m not sure I understand.”

“Normal people don’t spend that kind of money on something they’re going to wear for five hours or less.”

“Mr. Montclair isn’t exactly⁠—”

“Normal?” I interrupted her.

“I was going to say financially constrained.”

“That too.” I laughed.

I walked back into the fitting to change out of the dress when I heard my phone ding in my purse. There was a text message from Simon. His ears must have been ringing.

Find anything?

Are you tracking me?

Should I be?

I found a dress.

Buy it.

You don’t even know how much it costs.

Don’t care.

Of course he didn’t.

You should care.

Bella.

Simon.

Buy the dress.

It’s ridiculously expensive.

Do you love it?

Yes.

Then why are we still having this conversation?

Because unlike you, I have a normal relationship with money.

That’s debatable. I’m on my way to a meeting. Buy the dress. End of discussion.

“Everything okay?” I heard Celeste’s voice from the other side of the fitting room door.

“Yes. I’ll be out in a minute.”

I looked at Simon’s message again. Suddenly, three dots appeared.