Page 103 of On the Rocks

A laugh bubbled up my throat. “Yes!” I shouted back. It was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever done in my life. “But you’re worth it!”

My stomach sank as Cora disappeared back into the apartment, shutting the window.Fuck. I lowered the boombox I’d bought at an old thrift store—I’d had to scour half the city before I found what I was looking for—and turned off the music.

Well, I’d obviously gotten her attention, but she was still clearlynotinterested in talking to me. I was a fool to think this would work. People on the sidewalk had stopped to stare at me. Passing cars honked. Someone even clapped.

And for what? Cora wasn’t interested. I turned back down the sidewalk, heading for my car, trying not to look as wretched as I felt inside. Maybe she really was over the idea ofus.

I’d lost her.

“Boss! Hey, Boss!”

I whirled around. Carlos hung out the door of the building, waving to get my attention. “Cora called down saying you could come up.”

I raced for the door, hardly believing his words. “You’re sure?”

He nodded. “Where the hell’d you get a boombox from?”

I clapped him on the shoulder. “Long story. Thanks, Carlos.” I slid past him and headed right for the elevator, riding it up to the seventh floor. I knocked before my nerves could get the better of me.

Jennifer threw the door open, giving me a swift up and down. Her lips curled into a smile as her eyes landed on the boombox. “I’m heading out,” she announced. “You have two hours in the apartment alone to sort yourselves out before I’ll be back.” She took a step toward me, poking me in the chest. “Don’t fuck this up.”

Did that mean I had a chance?

She strung her purse over her shoulder and marched off down the hall without another word. I slipped through the door, letting it close softly behind me. Cora stood in the middle of the living room, her arms crossed, looking out toward the window. I placed the boombox down on the kitchen counter. When she finally looked at me, I could tell how wary she was. But there was something else too…Longing, maybe?

Heat pooled in my chest. I’d missed her so damn much.

“That was a little ridiculous,” she said after a beat.

I shrugged. “Apparently love makes me do ridiculous things. At least this time, it was a fun kind of ridiculous—instead of dumb decisions and saying things I don’t mean.”

Cora’s mouth stretched into a thin line. “Is that so?”

“I’ve always been the kind of person who has a lot of feelings. Big feelings I haven’t always been the best at controlling. And for a long time, I thought that meant I had to avoid the things thatmade me feel that way. That I had to run away from them to stop myself from becoming too?—”

“Irrational,” she finished for me. She didn’t look impressed.

I swallowed hard. “It’s taken me this long to figure out that running isn’t the answer. What I need to do is embrace them.” I took a step toward her. She stared at me, those brown eyes so open and desperate and glassy. I’d hurt her. Now I needed to fix it. “I thought I was protecting myself by not getting emotionally invested, but what I was really doing was shutting myself off from every wonderful thing that love could bring. Every wonderful thing thatyoucould bring.”

“And what about the fact that I make you a worse version of yourself?” she asked, an edge to her voice.

“God, I was so wrong for saying that, Cora.” I touched her shoulder, relieved when she didn’t flinch away. “For even thinking that. You don’t make me a worse version of myself. Of course not. You brought me to life in every way that matters. And yes, sometimes that’s meant I’ve acted out destructively, but you also brought me so many moments of joy I’ve never experienced with anyone but you. I know I need to do better. That I need to work on handling my feelings in a healthier way.”

“These are all just pretty words, Aiden.” She shook her head. “Anyone can say they’re going to work on themselves.”

“No, I’m serious,” I said. “I’ve been looking into anger management classes and I’ve…I’ve also started seeing a therapist.” I pulled the business card from my wallet, handing it to her. “Her name is Veronica. She’s been…well, very enlightening so far. And she doesn’t put up with any of my excuses. Sort of like someone else I know.”

Cora ran her thumb over the name on the card, her eyebrows drawing together.

“Anyway, I’m going to stick with it. Because I want to be a better version of myself. For you, but also for me. And more than anything, I want another chance. But I understand that I’ve said things and done things that have hurt you, and I know an apology doesn’t make all of that disappear. I’m willing to do the work to prove to you that I’m going to change, no matter how long it takes, Cora. Because you’re worth all that and?—”

She fell into my arms, holding me tight. I felt her sob.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered into her hair. “I love you. And I’m going to do better.”

She looked up at me. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” I brushed her hair behind her ear. “Does this mean I get a do-over?”

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