Page 185 of Manhattan Bossholes

The drive from here to the Glenhaven Club would be about thirty minutes. “Let’s make it eight?”

“I have you in the books. Will you be wanting your usual table?”

“Yes, please.” It was located in a semi-private area, offering the intimate, exclusive dining experience I was after. I wanted this dinner to be perfect.

“And will you have any guests joining you?”

“Just the one,” I said. “And Anthony?”

“Yes?”

“Let’s pull out all the stops.” He told me not to worry about a thing, then I hung up, heading for the door of the building.

I paused before I could leave, something bothering me. I turned back to Carlos.

“All good, Boss?”

“You know that Levi guy?” I asked.

Carlos nodded.

“He was harassing Cora last night. We had our high school reunion back in New Jersey, and he just wouldn’t leave her alone.”

“The piece of scum, hassling a sweet kid like Cora. Never appreciated her when he had her, and he sure doesn’t deserve another chance now—not after what he did,” Carlos spat out.

“I know, I totally agree. That’s why I was actually hoping you’d do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

I slipped my business card from my wallet and a hundred-dollar bill, placing both on the desk. “I tried to tell Levi to take a hike last night, but I don’t think he’s gotten the message yet. If he comes by here in person to bother Cora again or if he sends her any more unwanted gifts, give me a call, will you?”

“Sure thing, Boss,” Carlos said. “But you don’t need to do this. The last thing I want is him pestering Cora.” He tried to hand the money back.

“Keep it,” I insisted. “Please.” Cora’s safety was worth any sum of money. One hundred dollars was nothing if it meant Carlos would keep his eyes peeled for Levi.

And for Levi’s sake, he’d better hope Carlos didn’t need to call me.

20

CORA

“What do you want to wear?” Jennifer asked. “Sophisticated sexy or slinky sexy?”

I flopped down on my bed, sighing contentedly as I stared at the ceiling. If I ignored Levi’s sudden reappearance back into my life and his unexpected flower delivery—which I was trying really hard to do—the last twenty-four hours had been pretty perfect. I couldn’t believe I was about to go out on a proper date with Aiden. Sure, we’d been out together—the drive to Newburgh, the reunion, breakfast at Doris’s. But this was the first purposeful date we’d been on in more than fifteen years, and I was a little nervous.

“You good?” Jennifer asked, looking down at me.

I pressed my hand to my stomach. Butterflies didn’t even begin to cover it. “Nerves, I guess.”

She laughed, sitting down on the edge of my bed. It dipped, and I rolled toward her. “Why are you stressing? You’ve already gotten through all the awkward reconnection stuff. You’ve even slept with the guy again. Feels like the hard part’s already out of the way. Tonight should be smooth sailing.”

“I know. Everything with Aiden’s been so wonderful.” But part of me still couldn’t shake the memory of my mom telling me to be careful, not to let Aiden break my heart again. “You know me, though. I started overthinking things, wondering when the other shoe is going to drop.”

“Why does it have to drop at all?”

I sat up on my elbow. “I do think we’re on the same page with this getting-back-together thing. And I guess that makes me nervous in a good way.” I pressed my forehead into her side. “I really like him, Jenn.”

“No, really?” she teased.