Chapter 18
Saint keeps our fingers intertwined as we walk down Main Street. People keep stopping him to ask who I am, their eyes roaming over me curiously. I keep my eyes down, unsure how to handle the attention.
When I was in the crowd with Ruby and Stella—an adorable ray of sunshine with rosegold hair and a pixie-like vibe—a few people stopped to introduce themselves, but with Saint?
Everyone wants to know who supposedly stole Cupid’s heart.
Saint seems totally unbothered and enthusiastically introduces me as “my Mikey.” The simple claim makes my stomach swoop and flutter every time. I don’t know what we are to each other, but being his feels right. Everything has happened so fast, and I feel like I should be afraid, but I’m not.
It feels like this might be exactly where I’m supposed to be, and it’s terrifying. I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling.
I’ve read books with insta-love, and I always thought the characters were crazy to feel so strongly for someone they just met, but…
I think I get it.
The intrigue and initial attraction I felt for him a year ago has only grown.
Now, I know who he is as a person. He’s kind, gentle, patient, and funny, but he has a more dominant side I want to explore.
He’s clearly a talented baker, and he’s incredible with people.
His love for those closest to him is palpable.
Watching him interact with the people here for the festival is fascinating. He gives everyone his full attention and asks insightful questions beyond typical small talk. It doesn’t feel like he’s trying to move them along so he can get to the next person, he’s making genuine connections.
When we left the bakery, Saint told me he’s on the lookout for a man wearing a blue vest whose name is Dominic. Apparently he saw Dominic and his friend Sienna at the parade and had a feeling they belonged together.
I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.
While on our hunt, three other people have approached him to pitch themselves and ask if he has a match. He’s honest with them, letting them know he can’t guarantee anything, but he’ll be on the lookout.
The festival setup reminds me of a farmers’ market. Booths with food, jewelry, postcards, and other trinkets line the street. Every booth is decked out in reds, pinks, purples, and whites with hearts and cupids everywhere.
The animal shelter is hosting a kissing booth, advertising free kisses from animals looking for their forever homes. There’s a booth where people can make their own valentines, and the bookstore has a deal where you can exchange a valentine for thirty percent off your purchase.
The crowd is a mix of people of all ages.
Kids run around with face paint and sugary treats, their adults following behind them with smiles on their faces.
The people looking for love wander around with their hot pink wristbands, and more than once, I’ve seen someone stop and do a double-take when they see someone they might be interested in.
“Oh, look, there’s Dominic. Come on, sweetheart, watch me work my magic,” Saint says, squeezing my hand, motioning towards a man with dark brown hair and a mustache in a blue vest.
He leads me to a group waiting in line for the photo booth. Two of them are clearly a couple, and the other three are wearing the bands. Dominic sees us, and his eyes flick over to the woman with a pink bow in her long blonde hair, a nervous smile on his face.
“Cupid!” the woman with the bow cheers when she notices us.
“Hi, Sienna. Are you all having a good time?” Saint questions, nodding to the rest of the people in the group.
“Oh, the best time. Now that you’re here, though, I’m doing much better.” Sienna glances at me, then down to my and Saint’s entwined hands. “Who’s this?”
Am I imagining the way she looks at him with interest?
I mean, why wouldn’t she be interested in him? He’s obscenely gorgeous. Anyone would be attracted to him.
Sienna herself is stunning. Long, lithe legs wrapped in pink and white heart printed tights underneath a denim mini skirt.
Her stomach is probably toned and flat, and her boobs are probably perky.
Her blonde hair falls down her back in glossy waves, and her makeup is subtle, enhancing her piercing green eyes.
She looks like a perfect Valentine’s Day doll, and she and Saint would make perfect blonde babies.
My stomach sours at the thought of him having babies with anyone who isn’t me.
Get it together, Mikey. Don’t be stressing about him having babies with someone else when you just had his cock in your mouth.
Saint isn’t like that. He wouldn’t fuck my mouth then flirt with someone else, so what the hell has gotten into me?
“This is my Mikey. It’s her first time here in Cupid’s Cove, so I’m showing her around.”
“Oh,” Sienna hums with a curious head tilt. “I was under the impression Cupid was single, he took a vow of celibacy or something. Like a priest.”
“Well,” Saint starts, “there are a lot of different myths and teachings about Cupid. This Cupid is more than happy to open himself up to romance. Besides, what’s life without love?”
“You don’t think being in a relationship will hinder your ability to matchmake?” the girl next to Sienna asks.
“Not at all. If anything, I think it helps. Before, I only had a concept of romantic love. An idea of what it’s supposed to feel like. Being with Mikey gives me real experience which will help me help someone else find what I’ve found.”
He can’t be saying he’s in love with me. Can he?
Once again, I should be panicking over his subtle declaration, but I swoon instead. There are so many questions rattling around in my head I can’t keep up.
The women in the group “aww” over Saint, and I feel the same.
Saint nods at Dominic. “Come take a walk with us.”
Dominic clears his throat nervously but follows us away from the group. When we’re far enough out of earshot, Saint stops. “Why haven’t you asked out Sienna?”
“Why? What? How did you—what?” Dominic sputters, glancing back at his friends as the tips of his ears turn pink. I look back, too, finding Sienna watching Dominic with a look of longing in her eyes.
“I could see it clear as day at the parade, and even more so when I approached just now. You have feelings for her, and I think she reciprocates them,” Saint explains.
Dominic shakes his head. “She does not have feelings for me. I made a move once, when we first met four years ago. She told me she thought we’d be better off as friends.”
Saint hums, taking in the information.
“Have you tried again?” I ask.
“Why would I try again when her rejection was crystal clear the first time?”
“Sometimes we don’t see what’s right in front of us until later. Maybe she wasn’t interested at first, or maybe she was scared, but feelings change. Four years is plenty of time for her to change her mind. Maybe she just doesn’t know how to communicate it,” I offer with a shrug.
“I don’t know,” Dominic hedges. “Our group is pretty tight-knit. If we got together and it didn’t work out—”
“Don’t dwell on the negative ‘what-ifs.’ It will only set you back and keep you from finding happiness.
Think of the positives. What if she’s your soulmate?
What if you work out, and it’s better than you ever imagined?
What if you’re wasting time being afraid when you could be with her?
” Saint cuts in. “Take it from me, life is too short to not take chances. Don’t let a great love pass you by because of fear. ”
Something tells me we’re going off the path, and Saint isn’t talking solely about Dominic anymore.
Dominic tips his head back and blows out a long breath before he gives Saint a resigned nod. “Okay, you’re right. I’ll take another chance, but I… I don’t know how to approach this.”
“Leave it to me. As long as you’re on board, you let me do what I do best: play Cupid.”
Saint and Dominic shake hands before we make our way back to his group. Sienna is practically vibrating with questions. “Well? Did you get a match?” she asks Dominic.
“He’s working on it,” Dominic says.
Sienna’s bright smile falters just slightly. “Oh, that’s great, Dom. I’m so happy for you.”
“Don’t worry, Sienna. I think I found the person for you, too. Will you be at the dance tonight?” Sienna nods at Saint. “Great. I’ll find you. Emily, I have someone in mind for you as well, if you’re up for it?”
“Hell yeah! Thank you. I can’t wait.”
“It’s my pleasure. We’ll catch you all later. I have more matchmaking to do.” Saint grabs my hand and leads me away from the group towards a stand selling Cupid’s Cove merchandise. I might have to buy myself a sweatshirt to commemorate my time here.
“Do you really have someone in mind for Emily?”
“Of course I do. I’d never give someone false hope.”
A few hours, two of the best tacos I’ve ever had, and one sugar cookie later, I’m even more in awe of Saint. He’s so at home here. So easy going and truly in his element as Cupid.
He dragged me out of the cold and into the café ten minutes ago so I could meet up with Stella and Ruby to get ready for tonight.
I’m nervous to see what options Stella has for me to wear.
I’ve never gotten dressed up or been to a dance, and although I’ve spent time with Ruby and Stella already, it was in the crowd of the parade.
One-on-one time is different. What if they don’t like me?
Saint and I are sitting in the office when Ruby bursts in mumbling under her breath, panic on her face. She startles when she sees us. “Oh, I didn’t realize you two were in here. How did the festival go? How many matches have you made?”
“I’ve introduced one couple so far since neither of them wanted to go to the dance.
The other two will meet later. Well, technically one of the couples has already met, but they haven’t crossed over into romantic territory, yet.
They will, though. They just need to realize, sometimes, the person you’re meant to be with has been in front of you all along. ”
Ruby’s face twists with disgust. “Thank fuck it’s not like that for everyone.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Oh, look at the time,” Ruby deflects, looking at her wrist as if there’s a watch on it. “Stella is waiting for us at her place. Come on, Mikey.”
Saint huffs out a laugh but doesn't seem keen to press Ruby any further about her statement. “I’ll meet you at the dance, sweetheart.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I stand and turn to walk out the door when Saint calls my name. I turn back, and he points to his lips.
“I think you forgot something.”
I cross the small office in a few steps and press a kiss to his lips. I intend for it to be a quick peck goodbye, but Saint has other plans. One hand cradles the back of my head as the other grabs my hip, and his lips move against mine in a sensual dance, leaving me breathless and wanting more.
“Get a fucking room,” Ruby calls from the doorway. Saint and I break apart, and he has the biggest smile on his face.
“Better get going, Mikey. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
All the words I know have evaporated from my brain after that kiss, so I simply wave and follow Ruby out.
“You’ve got it bad, my friend,” Ruby teases as we get in her car.
I really fucking do.