Page 8 of The October Arrangement

“Yes.” She held up the carrier. “This is Raine. Spelled with an e. She’s super sweet and loving.”

“How old is she?” I asked as we stepped into the elevator.

“She’s a year old. Simon found her outside his office building one rainy night. That’s why he named her Raine. This keycard is for Simon’s penthouse. All you have to do is slide it in here, and it’ll take you up.”

“What floor is the penthouse on?”

“Fifty-eight. The very top. I hope you’re not afraid of heights.”

“Wow. Uh, no. Thank goodness I’m not.” I laughed.

The elevator door opened, and I stepped out into the sprawling marbled foyer. I almost passed out at the luxury of it. Daisy stepped out, set the cat carrier down, and let Raine out.

“Welcome home, baby. Bella will be taking care of you now. There’s plenty of cat food in the pantry for her. And her litter box is in the laundry room. It needs to be changed every single day. Simon’s rule. Normally, his housekeeper does it, but since he’s gone for three months, she doesn’t come here.

She showed me around the 5,175-square-foot home.

“You can take this guest bedroom.” She set my suitcase down.

“Are you sure your cousin is okay with this?”

“Of course.” She waved her hand. “Don’t forget to water the plants. You do know how to take care of plants, right?”

“Yeah.” I smiled.

“Great.” She hugged me. “I have to run. I’m meeting my fiancé at the florist to pay the final balance for the wedding flowers. If you need anything. Call me. And let’s set up a dinner date!”

After she left, I walked around the penthouse, taking it all in. With an oversized kitchen, living room, dining room, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park, this was the perfect place to live and work for the next couple of months.

I took the elevator down to the lobby and spoke with Burt.

“There will be some boxes being sent here. Could you let me know when they arrive?”

“Of course, Miss Castle. I’ll have them sent right up.”

“Thank you, Burt. And call me Bella.” I placed my hand on his arm.

I went back up to the penthouse and threw myself down on the king-size bed. The bed was twice the size of mine back home. Raine jumped up and started rubbing against me. I ran my hand across her back as the roaring sound of her purr could be heard throughout the room.

“You are one lucky cat to be living this life of luxury.” I smiled.

Two Weeks Later

Life couldn’t be more perfect than it was at this very moment. I’d been in New York for two weeks and already loved it. I could get used to living in this city, but the reality of finances said otherwise. For now, I’d enjoy every minute of the time I had left here.

I spent my days filming content and taking photos all over Manhattan. From Central Park, tree-lined streets, cozy coffee shops, and anywhere else that captured the feeling of the season. The city was already transforming into a picture-perfect version of fall. Leaves were beginning to turn from green to shades of amber, gold, and deep red, scattering across the sidewalks and along the edges of the park. The coffee shops had taken down their summer displays and swapped them for pumpkins, mums, and chalkboard signs advertising maple lattes and everything pumpkin. Storefronts were even decorated early this year for fall, as were the stoops of the brownstones. It made my job ridiculously easy. Tomorrow was October 1st, and the season would go into full swing.

A month ago, I had a steady job and no intention of leaving Massachusetts. Now, I was wandering around Manhattan with a coffee in one hand and a camera in the other, creating an entire fall campaign for a company I’d barely heard of a few weeks earlier. This wasn’t where I expected myself to be at twenty-nine. But then again, nothing in my life had been going according to plan.

Chapter Five

Simon

I stepped onto the plane and took my seat in first class. I couldn’t wait to get back to New York. I’d only been in Los Angeles for a month. During that time, I hired a new project manager, calmed the contractors, and ensured that all materials were delivered. Everyone had everything they needed and didn’t need me there anymore. Besides, I couldn’t stand knowing the work that was piling up in the New York office.

I didn’t tell my father I was returning two months early. He’d find out when he found me in my office. Did he even care? He didn’t bother to call me once and ask how things were going. I suspected it was a test. A test to see what I could truly do in an emergency so he could retire without worry. I took care of it. I handled it. And now I was heading home.

“Welcome home, Simon.” My driver, Nick, smiled.