Page 69 of On the Rocks

“I know. Don’t you remember all the girls in school used to have a crush on him? They practically went feral when he started readingRomeo and Julietin class. They all wanted to be Juliet.”

Cora gasped. “I totally forgot about that. Frankly, I think I was a little too obsessed with you at the time to notice.”

Her comment made my heart flip-flop in my chest. I’d been just as obsessed with her. “Seriously though. How are you feeling about it? Is this the first guy your mom’s been with since your dad?”

“Yeah, I think. At least, the first serious one. If there were others, she never told me about them. But I don’t think there were. Mom and Dad wereitfor each other, you know? I used to wonder if she’d ever find someone who would make her happy again. But it looks like Mr. Cranson does. She was happier last night than I’ve seen her in years.”

“So, you’re good?”

Cora took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “You know what? I really am. I’m happy for my mom. It’s time. And Mr. Cranson is great. It seems like he treats her well, and that’s all I could have wished for her.”

It sounded like Cora and her mother were both in a good place about the relationship. I remembered how weird it had been when my mom had started dating again after divorcing my dad. “I’m a little disappointed your alien abduction theory fell through.”

Cora whirled around. “Me too!”

We both started laughing. “I thought we’d stop for breakfast before heading back to Manhattan. You cool with that?”

“Definitely,” Cora said. “My mother offered to make me something before she took off, but she’s on some steel cut oats and flaxseed health kick that’s vaguely terrifying.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Sounds delicious.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“Well, you’re in luck. Because I know exactly how to fix that.” I hit the gas, taking us across town to the parking lot of Doris’s Diner, the town’s best breakfast spot.

“Oh my god!” Cora said. “I almost forgot this place existed!” She practically dashed out of the car and through the door of the diner.

I followed her inside, inhaling the scent of black coffee and bacon grease. I hadn’t been to Doris’s since I was a teenager, but it hadn’t changed one bit. The signage on the walls was stillthe same. The red and white menus were still the same. Even the checkered tablecloths, booth seats, and window coverings looked like they hadn’t been updated in twenty years. It had all been preserved like in one of those weird wax museums.

We seated ourselves, choosing a booth by the window where the sunlight streamed down, painting Cora with a golden glow. She ran her finger down the menu, then shook her head, laughing.

“What?” I asked, unable to keep the smile off my face.

“This is the glamorous lifestyle of breakfast with a billionaire, huh? You gonna get the big stack like you used to?”

“Any billionaire worth their salt would know that pancakes like Doris’s aren’t to be missed,” I pointed out in a mock-pompous tone.

“You’re right about that,” Cora said, skimming her menu again.

“But,” I continued, “if it’s glamour you want, I’ll just have to take you out on the town when we get back to Manhattan.”

She narrowed her eyes, a funny little smile tugging at her lips. “Are you serious?”

“Of course I’m serious.” Did she really think Doris’s was the best I could do? The pancakes were obviously supreme, but I had a few nice places up my sleeve that would really wow Cora—and the more I thought about it, the more excited I felt at the prospect. I didn’t think Ineededto impress her at this point, but Iwantedto. I wanted to treat her to a nice meal in a luxury place with a private table for just the two of us.

Cora stared at me for a beat longer, then she relaxed, beaming at me. I wasn’t sure what had changed, but I was glad to see her enjoying the idea of going out with me. Despite only spending afew short hours apart, I’d missed her—the heat of her body, the feel of her tucked against my side.

She flipped her menu over, trying to sound aloof. “Are you asking me on a date, Aiden Callihan?”

“I am.”

She cleared her throat. “I’m waiting.”

“Cora Newport, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?”

“Where?” she asked.

“Can it be a surprise?”

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