Page 190 of Manhattan Bossholes

“What did you think about the ceremony?” Cora asked as we walked arm-in-arm through the reception hall. The Cipriani 42nd Street was originally built to be a bank. Now it was an event venue that boasted beautiful, historic touches such as soaring ceilings, grand chandeliers, and marble columns. Cora was utterly dazzled and couldn’t stop gushing over the decor.

“I didn’t know Vincent was capable of being such a sap,” I said, not unkindly.

“The vows were adorable, weren’t they?” she said, practically swooning. “Did Piper really crash a car into Vincent’s Bugatti?”

“Yes.”

Cora chuckled. “What a memorable first meeting.”

“You could say that. Though from what I recall, Vincent said there was a lot of swearing.”

“Guess that didn’t stop the sparks,” Cora said as we walked past the ballroom. She made a soft sound in the back of her throat. The dinner tables were decorated with hundreds of glittering lights. “It’s like something out of Beauty and the Beast, I swear.” Her mouth hung open for a beat, and I enjoyed the way the shadows danced across her face, highlighting her sparkly eyeshadow and her glossy lips. “Okay, I officially adore this reception venue. It’s the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern elegance.”

“Giving you ideas for your speakeasy?”

“So many,” Cora said, squeezing my arm the way she always did when she was excited.

“Shall we head back to the bar?” I asked.

“Yes, there was another cocktail on the menu I wanted to try.”

Vincent and Piper had signature drinks mixed up for their cocktail hour, which Cora adored. As we made our way back across the room, I spotted Trent and Dominic standing with Paul and Chloe.

“Hey!” I called as we neared.

“Have you tried this?” Dom asked, pointing out the pink-tinted drink in his hand.

“It’s good, right?” Cora said. “You can really taste the orange zest.”

Dominic finished the drink in a few gulps. “I’m gonna grab another. Does anyone want anything?” He darted toward the bar before any of us could answer.

I caught Trent’s eye. He gave me a little shrug as if to say, “The guy’s just blowing off some steam.” That steam was named Amanda. As far as I knew, Hailey was with a sitter tonight, so Dominic was free to let loose. Maybe a little too loose.

“I didn’t think this guy was capable of being cute,” Paul said, shaking my shoulder playfully. I realized Cora was in the middle of regaling Paul and Chloe with a high school throwback, both of them clearly amused.

“He was actually very adorable back then,” Cora said.

Trent rubbed his hands together. “Yes, let’s hear all about our little Aiden in high school.”

“Or not,” I said.

“You don’t remember picking me up and running around the football field with me flung over your shoulder after the game against Laurier?” Cora asked.

I did, actually. We’d scored a touchdown in the last moments of the game, beating Laurier, and sending our team to the championship. I’d been so ecstatic, I’d just grabbed her and spun around on the field until we were both too dizzy to stand. “I think you kept telling me you were going to throw up.”

Cora laughed. “I was telling you not to drop me.”

Chloe chuckled. “And did he?”

I scoffed. “Not a chance.”

“You did run me all the way down the field so you could kiss me in the endzone though,” Cora reminded me.

Trent snickered, massaging his eyes. “Why were you so corny, man?”

“I wasn’t corny,” I insisted. “I was really cool in high school.”

Chloe exchanged a look with Cora, one of those looks only women understood, while Paul and Trent laughed.