Page 48 of On the Rocks

“Then she wouldn’t be the Nana Dee we know and love,” Aiden said. “But don’t worry. We’re gonna make sure she feels supported in whatever happens next.”

I tilted my head, watching Aiden interact with Trent. He’d always been the kind of guy to pump up his teammates when they needed it or cheer up a friend who was going through a rough patch. It was startling to see how much of him was still that boy I fell so hard for as a teenager. He knew how to present himself as the business mogul the world expected him to be, but here, away from the office, he was relaxed. And seeing him surrounded by people who knew him well enough to tease him, it was easy to uncover more of that sweet, supportive, charming guy.

Trent joined Maggie and Tony at the bar, unpacking the light fixtures.

I shifted closer to Aiden. Close enough that my voice wouldn’t carry. “That was really nice of you. What you said about Nana Dee.”

He shrugged. “I know Trent’s stressed about it. That’s why I invited him down here tonight. Thought it might help him take his mind off the things he can’t control. At the very least, listening to my dad and Maggie bitch at each other will be a nice break from worrying.”

“Unless you and Tony screw it up and we all end up electrocuted,” I said. “There’s always that to worry about.”

He narrowed his eyes playfully, and something about the way he smiled at me—easy, carefree, giddy—made me want to take his hand just like I would have in high school. He may have been all grown up now, but he still made my heart beat just as hard as he did back then. “Maggie would never let that happen.”

I looked away before my face could flush. “Thank god for Maggie.”

13

AIDEN

“Thanks for driving me home,” Cora said as we pulled up in front of her apartment building in Morningside Heights. It was a pre-war building with an ornate facade, the kind with historic charm and contemporary amenities. “You didn’t have to go out of your way.”

“I really felt like you hadn’t had enough of the Ferrari,” I said.

She settled me with a playfully withering look, reaching for her seatbelt. “I’ve had more than enough of this thing.”

“You sure? We could take another quick spin around the block if you wanted.”

“I think you know my answer.”

I revved the engine, teasing her just a bit.

“Seriously though.” She touched my forearm, sending an electric thrill straight up through my shoulder. “Thanks for bringing me to the bar. I had a great time, and seeing your dad again was nice.”

I snorted. “All he did was bicker with Maggie.”

“And in between all that bickering, Maggie was super insightful. We talked about very cool speakeasy things.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. While Trent had you and your dad holding up that light fixture for the front entrance.”

“Ah, yes. While I was totally focused.”

“On not dropping the board on your head,” she teased. “Trent seems great. I really hope he gets everything with Nana Dee figured out.”

“God, me too.”

“The poor guy needs to be able to take a break from worrying.”

“Agreed. The sooner we get Nana Dee to this doctor’s appointment, the better.”

Cora released her seatbelt and the click felt like finality, like if I let this moment go, I might never get it back. I didn’t know what was so special about this moment, only that itwasa moment, and I didn’t want it to end, so I undid my own belt and pushed my door open.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Walking you to your door.” I looked at her like she had two heads. “Obviously.”

“Um…it’s right there,” she said, gesturing to the building’s front door, Vanna White–style. “It’s not like I’m going to get lost.”

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