Page 191 of Manhattan Bossholes

“Isn’t there a newlywed couple around here we should be congratulating?” I said, hoping Vincent and Piper would appear so we could change the subject. But despite the teasing I was getting from these throwback stories, I couldn’t have been happier with how seamlessly Cora fit in with my friends. It was clear they all approved of her. Not only did they approve, but they genuinely liked her, which was even better. I never should have doubted though. Cora was charming and funny and endearing. It was impossible not to like her.

Dominic stumbled over, drink in hand, as Cora was midway through another high school story.

“How’re my boys doing?”

I turned as Nana Dee walked up, clad in her signature pearls. I strung my arm over her shoulders, pulling her into the group. “Where have you been?”

“Trying to get a word in with the newlyweds, but they’re being hounded,” she said. “So I’ve been getting all the hot gossip instead.”

I laughed. I didn’t doubt it. “How much gossip can there be at a wedding?”

“Plenty,” Nana Dee said. “If you know where to look. Speaking of,” she said to Chloe, “I’ve heard the bride has another dress for the reception?”

“She does,” Chloe confirmed. “And it’s even more dazzling than the first. Better to dance in too.”

“I’m just so thrilled for Vincent and Piper,” Nana Dee said. She nudged me. “And to see you with such a wonderful girl.”

She said the last part quietly, but I didn’t miss the corner of Cora’s mouth turning up, proving that she’d caught it, too.

“I heard from Trent you had your doctor’s appointment,” I said, turning back to Nana Dee. She nodded. “And?”

“He had me go for some tests. You know how these things are. Tests and more tests. And then maybe some answers—eventually. I’m still waiting for the results.”

“Well, I’m glad you went.” Not only for her sake, but for Trent’s stress level as well. “You’ll keep me posted on what you find out?”

“Of course,” she said, patting my arm gently.

“My God, this is the one,” Dominic said, holding up a glass. He’d somehow secured another cocktail in the time I’d been talking to Nana Dee. “You guys have to try this one. It’s so good. What is that? Hints of⁠—”

“Candied rose petals,” Cora said. “I tried it earlier. It’s brilliant.”

“Speaking of brilliant,” Trent said to me, “Dominic was mentioning earlier that the launch for the new nonalcoholic line is officially a go?”

I nodded. “They’ve all been finalized, with Cora’s help.”

Chloe clapped. “That’s so exciting!”

“It is. We’ve got the launch event planned for next month,” I told them.

“Which you’re all invited to,” Dominic added. “Obviously.”

A murmur of excitement swept through the room. When I glanced around, I realized that they were seating guests for dinner.

“Guess we should head in,” Paul said. He threw his arm around Dominic’s shoulders. “Let’s get some food into you.”

Probably a good idea. I took Cora’s hand and guided her into the dining room. We sat at our assigned table with Chloe, Nana Dee, and the guys, enjoying a fabulous dinner. After that came the speeches. Once we’d all stood in front of the room and roasted Vincent a little, dinner was cleared away, lights swirled on the dance floor, and the DJ started up the music. After Vincent and Piper had had their moment, I met Cora’s eyes and inclined my head to the floor, raising my eyebrow in question.

Cora grinned, taking my outstretched hand. I twirled her onto the dance floor, basking in the sound of her laughter as she settled into my arms. I tightened my hold, pulling her close enough to me to feel her warm breath tickle my neck. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes,” she said, laying her head against my shoulder.

“Good. I’m glad.”

Paul and Chloe joined us on the floor a moment later. I was pleased to see that Dominic had sobered up enough with the meal to ask Nana Dee to dance. As the floor filled up, I guided us past the DJ, giving him a discreet nod. The music switched over seamlessly to “You and Me” by Lifehouse, the same song Cora and I had danced to on the football field.

She gasped, looking up at me. “Hold on…You arranged this?”

I nodded.