Page 193 of Manhattan Bossholes

I gestured to the bear. “Why are you harassing her like this?”

“I’m not harassing her.”

“She told you to leave her alone, and this is the exact opposite of that. And in what world did you actually think the doorman was going to let you into her apartment?”

Levi glanced at Carlos, his expression shifting from shock to something else. When he caught my eye again, I could see the accusation written all over his face. “You had the doorman report back to you? Jesus, man, don’t you think that’s a bit controlling? What are you doing keeping tabs on Cora like that?”

“It’s none of your business what I’m doing,” I said. “Cora isn’t your concern anymore.”

“Of course she is! I love her. And I think she deserves to know she’s gotten herself tangled up with a controlling creep,” Levi spat.

“I’m the creep?” I took a step forward. Levi stumbled back, almost tripping into the chair. “You’re the one who can’t take a hint.”

Even he wasn’t dumb enough to think he was any match for me physically, but it appeared he was too dumb to know when to back the hell down. “I…I think Cora should have the chance to decide for herself if she wants me around.”

“Which she did, at the reunion,” I said. “She wants nothing to do with you.”

“So what she wants is some caveman who comes storming in to beat the crap out of any guy who tries to show her that she has other options?” he sneered.

I knew Cora wanted nothing to do with this scumbag, but his words hit their mark anyway. Was I being creepy? Too hotheaded, too possessive? I took a beat, wondering if there was any truth to Levi’s accusations.

My emotions were obviously all over the place when it came to Cora and Levi, and that was a problem. I didn’t like who I turned into when I let my emotions take over. My thoughts flashed back to memories I’d hidden away—like my shameful, irrational behavior with my college girlfriend, Steph, when I’d gotten into an actual no-holds-barred fistfight with some guys she’d been flirting with. Or what happened back in high school, when I’d nearly gotten in a fight over Cora that could have blown my chances at a college scholarship. It was the reason I’d pulled back from my relationship with her in the first place. Being too caught up in her had nearly been disastrous.

But I was better than that now. I was in control…wasn’t I?

I flicked my head toward the door. “Get the hell out of here, man. I’m not going to tell you again.”

Levi finally gave in, grabbing that bear and darting for the door as I unclenched my fists. A shaky breath escaped me. I tried to tell myself everything was fine, nothing had gotten out of hand—but I couldn’t shake my uneasiness. Maybe what I needed was to take a step back before I got in over my head again.

22

CORA

“Oh!”

I turned around on my stool at the sound, my eyes widening. Aiden stood in the doorway of the lab, looking sheepish, like he’d stumbled in somewhere he shouldn’t be. His hand was on the door frame, like he might use it to propel himself in the complete opposite direction.

“I was just coming in to see why the lights were still on in the lab,” he explained.

“Still working,” I said, pushing my laptop aside.

“Right, sorry. Didn’t think you’d still be here at this time.”

I checked the time on my phone. It was well after seven. I’d intended to be home by now, watching K-dramas with Jennifer and listening to her restaurant updates, but the evening had gotten away from me while I’d been busy typing up my Elixir Free notes.

“I didn’t think you’d still be here either,” I said.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, displacing the curls. “The list of things to do for the launch seems to be getting longer instead of shorter. I swear every decision I make sparks three more.”

I could hear the stress in his voice. “Anything I can do to help?”

He shook his head.

I smiled playfully. “I don’t know if you know, but I’m quite good at relieving tension.” I stood up, patting my stool.

Aiden’s eyes darted down to it, but he remained hovering in the doorway, like he was debating whether he should stay or go. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

“You didn’t,” I assured him with a soft smile. “I was just wrapping things up.” My job had technically ended when we’d finalized the new drink line for production, but Aiden and I had negotiated an extension to my contract—just as I’d hoped—so I could stay on with the team and keep developing some of our runner-up flavors.