“I’m ready. Do we need to take anything else with us?” she asks.
“Nope, we’re all good.”
“Do you want to drive so you don’t have to give me directions?” Mikey breaches my line of sight and holds the keys out. I don’t know why her letting me drive her truck feels like a pivotal moment.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I trust you.”
Those words hit me right in the chest. I search her teal eyes for any hesitancy, but I don’t find it.
This is it.
I can practically feel the shift in her. She may not be ready to sign her name next to mine on a marriage certificate, but this is a big step.
“Thank you.” I take the keys from her, my thumb tracing over a mini wrench keychain I hadn’t noticed before. “Let’s get going, then, so you can see me in action.”
Mikey looks me up and down, suspicion on her face. “Are you not wearing a coat? I don’t want you to freeze.”
I grab my coat from the closet. It makes the outfit less effective, but I don’t want my nipple to fall off. “If I get too cold, you can warm me up.” I pump my eyebrows suggestively, and Mikey smiles while shaking her head.
“Okay, Cupid. Let’s get this show on the road.”
The cheersfrom the hordes of people lining Main Street are deafening as I walk in front of the parade. It fills me with pride to see this many people here supporting our small town.
When I was originally asked to be Cupid, Loralee insisted I act as Grand Marshall. I walk in front of the procession withSlater following behind, Cupid’s Cove’s official town flag waving from the back of his motorcycle.
Slater hates that I make him do this, but he loves to show off his red 1995 Honda Gold Wing. Restored and painted by him, it’s his pride and joy. As much as he grumbles about it, I know he secretly loves the attention. He’s always had a reputation as a sort of delinquent, even though his worst crime is graffitiing the old auto shop he now owns. He has a denim jacket with his garage’s logo on it, and the parade has brought him a lot of business.
The energy from the crowd is thrilling. The first year I played Cupid, our crowd mostly consisted of locals and a handful of tourists. People didn’t know about Cupid’s Cove, but the age of online videos and social media influencers helped put us on the map.
One viral video about a man dressed as a cherub who pairs people with their forever partner and the crowd quadrupled. The town’s tourism increased, and not just on Valentine’s Day, but year round. It’s done wonders for the small businesses here, and I take pride in knowing I was a part of it.
We’re passing the bakery, and my eyes scan the crowd for my girl. I was hoping she’d have a front row seat to watch me in action, but when I finally find her familiar cocoa waves, she’s not even paying attention. Mikey’s head is thrown back in laughter as Ruby’s shoulders shake next to her. Stella slaps Ruby’s shoulder to get her attention then points towards the parade. Ruby nudges Mikey and motions in my direction, and Mikey finally looks my way with a huge grin on her face.
When our gazes lock, it feels like the string between us tugs in my stomach. I toss her a wink and blow her a kiss. Her cheeks turn even pinker as she waves back, reminding me how she flushed when I had my fingers in her pussy this morning.
Now is not the time to get a hard-on.
I look away before I get too lost in my thoughts. I catch Ruby’s face pinch into a scowl, but it’s directed at Slater behind me. I turn just in time to see Slater winking at her before revving his bike and focusing back on the road.
What is going on between those two?
I steal one last look at Mikey before I focus back on the rest of the crowd. I don’t matchmake during the parade, but I like to look at the unfamiliar faces to see if anyone sticks out.
A group of people who look to be in their mid-twenties catches my eye. Three of the five are wearing the hot pink wristbands indicating they’re searching for love. I memorize each of their faces, tuning into whatever it is that helps me recognize who belongs together.
Blue vest guy and pink bow.
My eyes dart between the two. They’re in the same group, separated by two of their friends. Blue vest guy keeps stealing longing glances at the woman with a pink bow in her hair as she smiles at whatever their friend is saying.
It’s like there’s a bright neon sign above them saying they’re meant to be together. I can feel it in my bones. I veer off route, approaching the group. Blue Vest straightens, his eyes widening as I approach Pink Bow. Something looking a lot like possessiveness flares in his eyes, confirming my suspicions he already wants her.
I hold back a smug grin. Something’s kept him from making a move, but I’ll figure it out and help him work through whatever’s holding him back.
“Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m Cupid, if you can’t tell, and I’m here to help you find love. Who’s looking for it today?”
The three with the hot pink wristbands raise their hands. Blue Vest does it almost reluctantly, but Pink Bow’s arm shoots up with so much enthusiasm I’m worried she dislocated her shoulder.
