Page 179 of Manhattan Bossholes

“You’re counting this as a first time?” she asked.

“Our first time as adults,” I said as she slid out of the bed, bending over to retrieve her bra and her dress. I studied her in the shadows, taking in those endless legs, the dips at the base of her spine, the fullness of her hips, the curve of her breast.

Yes, it was our first all over again, and I sure as hell hoped it wasn’t our last.

CORA

The Mercedes pulled up in front of my house, parking behind my mother’s car. It was a lot more discreet than Aiden’s old beater had been in high school. The truck used to rumble in the driveway, giving us away. My dad would peel back the curtains in the living room, watching us to make sure there was no “funny business” going on. But the Mercedes practically purred as he turned off the ignition.

“You don’t have to get out,” I started to say, giving up as Aiden climbed out of the car and shut his door.

There was no point in arguing since he was clearly determined to check all the boxes. He swung my door open a moment later, reaching for my hand. I hadn’t bothered to put my heels back on, instead scurrying up the driveway barefoot while I carried them by the straps.

I reached the door first, twisting to face him.

Aiden stood there, curls mussed, hands in his pockets, grinning down at me like he’d just scored his first touchdown. “So, should we recreate our first goodnight kiss as well?”

“I mean, it has been a night of firsts again.” First time sleeping with him as an adult. First make-up homecoming dance. First time being back in high school.

“If I remember correctly,” he said, “you pretty much pounced on me at the door.”

“I did not!”

“You totally did. I literally stumbled.” He put his hand on the bricks behind my head. “Had to brace myself like this.”

“Hmm,” I said, smiling as he leaned down.

“I think my arms went here,” I said, looping them around his neck. “And my lips here.” I kissed him. It wasn’t a repeat of the chaste little goodnight kiss from all those years ago. It was much sexier, all teeth and tongue, but I couldn’t stop giggling like I was still in high school.

“I see you’re not worried about your mom coming out to bust us now,” he said, laughing until I sucked his tongue into my mouth. Then he groaned.

I glanced at the window next to the door as we broke apart. It was dark. My mother usually left a light on if she was still awake. “She might have fallen asleep already. I’m later than I told her I’d be.”

“Well, someone took their sweet time getting dressed.”

“I know. How long does it take you to do up the buttons on a dress shirt?”

Aiden growled next to my ear. “What are you going to do now?”

“Probably go inside and text all my friends, telling them Aiden Callihan kissed me.”

“Guess I should go and tell all the guys on the team I just scored.”

I laughed. “Is that what you did back then?”

“Obviously.”

“Boys,” I said, rolling my eyes.

He bussed my cheek. “I’ll pick you up in the morning?”

I nodded. “See you then.”

“Have a good night.” He backed down the steps, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smile as he turned, climbing into the car. I watched him drive off before I took out my key, unlocking the door. It was awkward juggling my keys, shoes, and clutch, but I did my best not to stumble into the table in the front hall in the pitch black.

Once I was inside and the door had closed behind me, I dropped my shoes and felt along the wall for the light switch, giving it a flick. My jaw dropped as the living room lit up, my eyes almost bugging out like one of those cartoons on TV when the character has been whacked over the head with a hammer. Because there sat my mother, Bonnie freaking Newport, sucking face with some man on the sofa like she was sixteen, not pushing fifty-five. Holy shit.

What twilight zone had I just walked in on?