Operation: Cupcake (Cupid City Security Romance #3)

Chapter 1

Alexis Monroe pulled a fresh batch of cupcakes out of the oven and took a deep breath.

The smell was the best thing in the world.

It would never get old. Her small cupcake shop, Sweet Cream Cupcakes, in Cupid City was busy with the upcoming holiday.

Everyone wanted cupcakes for their significant others or for their Valentine’s Day parties.

Her specialty cupcake during the month of February was a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate heart to garnish the top. They had been a tremendous hit the prior year, and this year was no exception.

The door to her small shop opened, and she popped her head out of the kitchen to see her employee Melissa rushing in.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry I’m late,” Melissa said. “My car had a flat tire, and it was an adventure to get here. I completely forgot to text you.”

Alexis smiled. Melissa was the closest thing she had to a friend. Ever since she had moved to Cupid City a year and a half prior, she had kept to herself, not allowing herself to get too close to anyone.

“It’s okay. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

Melissa smiled and set her items in the cubbies at the back of the kitchen before taking her apron and tying it around her waist. “Thank you. You’re the best boss in the world. What are we working on?”

Alexis explained the next few orders that needed to be taken care of, and they worked alongside each other, taking turns helping customers who walked into the small shop.

“Any plans this weekend?” Melissa asked.

Alexis shrugged. She rarely had plans. Keeping her distance from people was the safest option, so she tried to avoid social gatherings.

It was lonely, but necessary. She couldn’t bear the thought of putting anyone around her in danger.

Especially the people in this mid-sized river city.

They had accepted her business with open arms, keeping her afloat, and she felt a sense of community here.

“No. Might get a head start on orders, but that’s about it. How about you?”

“Girl, you need to get out more. I don’t know anyone who works nearly as much as you.”

Alexis suppressed the pain that tried to crawl its way out. Her life of socializing was over. Being somewhat extroverted, she used the business as her way of fulfilling her socializing needs and accepted that this was the way it needed to be.

“I enjoy working,” Alexis said, the lie easily slipping off her tongue after a year and a half of practice.

Melissa swirled buttercream on top of a cupcake before looking up. “I’m going out with friends tonight. You should come.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t or don’t want to?” Melissa raised an eyebrow as if to say, I see right through you.

Alexis feigned innocence. “I just want to get a head start on the upcoming orders. It is one of our busiest seasons after all.”

“Mm-hmm.” Melissa put the tip of the piping bag on the top of another cupcake, making the perfect rosette swirls on top. “If you change your mind, text me. I’d love to show you how to have fun.”

Alexis smiled faintly before turning her back to hide the emotion she knew was flying across her face. She swallowed thickly and steadied her breath. “Thanks for the offer.”

And she truly meant it, but unfortunately, it wasn’t something she could ever take her up on.

Keeping a low profile meant avoiding all social settings where she could end up on social media.

That would make it too easy for him to find her.

She had seen him find people with much less than a social media account.

So for now, she would stay hidden in her small apartment on the weekends when she wasn’t working. It was the life she had known for nearly two years, and the life she feared she would always have.

Lonnie Davis opened his eyes to light streaming in around his blinds.

He was home for a break after the band had been on a long tour.

While he enjoyed going on tour working as a bodyguard with the famous band Chaotic Notes, who had also become good friends of his, he always enjoyed coming home.

Touring life was exhausting, and nothing could beat sleeping in his own bed.

He stretched his arms over his head and sighed. He had nothing but time for the next month while the band decompressed and laid low to enjoy their families before it started all over again.

Lonnie got out of bed and into the shower. Getting back into his own routine always took a minute. He enjoyed relaxing and decompressing for a few days, but after that he became restless. He had gotten so used to the busy on-the-go lifestyle that he didn’t have much time for anything else.

Once he got out of the shower, he made himself a quick breakfast and sat down in front of his television. The next few days would be spent binging shows he wanted to catch up on.

By day three, he felt like he was crawling out of his skin. He picked up his phone and shot a text off to an old friend of his, Cassian Rhodes. He had met Cass during an event that multiple celebrities were attending. They were both working on the security team and became friends, keeping in touch.

Lonnie: Hey, man. Long time no see. How’s it been going?

Cass: Off tour and bored already, huh?

Lonnie: What makes you say that?

Cass: It’s the only time I hear from you.

Lonnie snorted. He wasn’t wrong. Both of them reached out only when they were bored, it seemed. But it was the way they operated, and neither of them took offense.

Lonnie: Guilty.

Cass: We have a Valentine’s Ball coming up, and I could use an extra hand. Interested?

Lonnie stood up and clicked off his TV, already heading for his bedroom to pack.

Lonnie: You don’t have to ask me twice. Cupid City?

Cass: Affirmative. Let me know when you land.

Lonnie pulled out his suitcase and began tossing items into it.

Packing had become second nature to him with how often he traveled, so he already had things ready to go at a moment’s notice.

But before he zipped up his bag, he grabbed a garment bag and put his suits and a tux inside along with his dress shoes. There was no doubt he would need those.

Cupid City, here I come.