Page 154 of Manhattan Bossholes

“Go for it,” Chris said.

Aiden logged himself in, opening his email. “Now remember, these are just initial mockups for packaging and promotion. They’ll be tweaked as the final drink recipes are approved, but I thought you’d like to see what we’re working with so far.” He moved out of the way.

Dot, Javeed, Chris, and I gathered around the screen, scrolling through the images marketing had sent him.

“I asked for a bold color palette, something that would complement our current branding for Elixir but that would also set Elixir Free apart on the shelf. Give it its own identity.”

“I think we’re also heading for a summer launch,” Chris said, “so this color scheme matches that perfectly.”

“Agreed,” Aiden said. “I would also just like to point out for interested parties how sleek these new mocktail bottles are.”

My lips twisted, holding back a laugh as I caught his eye.

“Hopefully these bottle designs make the cut,” he said teasingly.

“I told you,” I said. “It’s all about how it feels in the hand.”

His eyes narrowed playfully, and his gaze lingered on me. Heat crawled across my skin again. “Anyway, I just wanted to say how impressed I am with how quickly this team has pulled together and how productive you’ve been. Especially you, Cora. You came in, ready to match my vision, filled with ideas of your own. We never would have accomplished so much so quickly without your expert leadership on this team.”

My pulse skipped at the warmth and sincerity of his words. Emotion hummed in my throat. Was this the same man who I could barely stand the sight of when he’d walked into Bottom of the Barrel?

“Masked Mixer for the win!” Chris said, calling it out like an announcer at a wrestling match. Dot whooped, and Javeed clapped me on the shoulder.

“I really don’t know where we’d be without you,” Aiden said, cutting into the celebration. “If you keep this up, Elixir isn’t going to want to let you go when the project is over.”

I’d assumed I’d have one foot out the door the entire time I was here, but now the idea of Elixir, of Aiden, wanting to keep me around? It sounded good. Very good.

11

AIDEN

Ialready hated today, and it had barely even begun.

“What do you mean they’re talking about a temporary shutdown?” I said to George, my production manager, as I stepped off the elevator, phone pressed to my ear. Our manufacturing facility was undergoing one of its regular inspections to ensure we complied with health, safety, and quality standards, but I was not expecting to be threatened with a shutdown this morning. “I thought we were in good shape?”

“I don’t know, boss. They’re saying we’re non-compliant.”

“How are we non-compliant?”

“They want the records for production and inventory, but we can’t access them on the computer.”

“Why not?”

“Some system glitch. Apparently, there was a software update, and now we can’t get access to the digital records until IT has that sorted.”

“Okay, let’s get them the paper copies in the meantime.”

“That’s exactly what I went to do. Then I realized those are in Sheila’s office, which is locked, and she’s on annual leave.”

“Did you explain that?”

“Yeah, I did. But they don’t care. This guy’s being a real son of a bitch. He says until I produce the records, we don’t technically comply with federal regulations, so he can shut us down until we do.”

I rubbed the space between my eyes. God, the last thing I needed was some power-tripping federal inspector on my ass. I knew it was part of the job, but I hated this bureaucratic bullshit. It was time-consuming and costly and⁠—

The elevator door opened behind me. I stepped aside as Cora emerged.

“Did Sheila not do a hand over with anyone before she went off?” I asked George.