Operation Curvy Cupid (Cupid City Security #5)

Chapter 1

ARCHIE

You good for the Grayson job next week?” Whittaker’s voice blares from the speaker on my phone as I shift my truck into park outside the Velvet Arrow and kill the engine.

“It’s an easy job, Whittaker. You don’t need to worry. Talk later.”

“Archie, wait—”

What I’m less certain about is my sister’s insistence on meeting tonight.

Margie’s text from this morning made me pause. Drinks at Velvet Arrow at 6! Can’t wait to see you!!!

Three exclamation points. If my sister uses that many exclamation points, it means trouble is on the horizon.

I check the time. I’m early, which means I can get a drink in me before whatever chaos she’s bringing.

The February air bites through my jacket as I head past the storefronts on Chocolate Row, their windows dark except for one artisan shop still boxing up truffles for the night.

Two blocks ahead, the Lock the man is leaning forward, his eyes desperate. “How do you know it’s their first fight?”

“Body language. They’re both terrified the other one’s going to leave, but neither of them knows how to say, ‘I’m sorry, I was an idiot,’ yet.” She shrugs. “Give them twenty minutes. He’ll touch her hand. She’ll let him. They’ll be making out by the time they close their tab.”

I find myself almost smiling. “You do this professionally? Read strangers in bars?”

Caution shutters her expression for a second, but she doesn’t explain. “Something like that. I can read people.”

Before I can push further, the tavern door swings open again, and I hear my sister’s voice cut through the ambient noise.

“Archie!”

Margie’s practically bouncing as she crosses the room, her tan from Cabo making her look like she stepped out of a travel ad. But it’s not Margie that makes my stomach drop.

It’s the woman trailing behind her.

Blonde. Pretty. She’s wearing a hopeful smile and looking at me like I’m exactly what Margie promised.

Son of a motherfucking bitch.

My sister’s been trying to set me up for two years. I’ve dodged book club friends, coworkers, and her yoga instructor. I thought planning her own wedding would distract her for at least a little while, but apparently not.

Margie’s eyes are already sparkling with that look she gets when she thinks she’s being helpful. Ten minutes, tops, before she suddenly remembers an “emergency” and leaves me alone with this stranger.

I turn to Tessa, desperation overriding common sense.

“I know this is crazy,” I say, voice low, “but please, pretend to be my girlfriend.”

Her eyes widen, her eyes flicking from confusion to amusement. “You want me to do what?”

“My sister’s about to ambush me with a blind date. If you could just—”

“Archie!” Margie descends before I can finish, wrapping me in a bear hug. “Oh my God, I missed you!”

“Missed you too.” I hug her back, shooting a pleading look at Tessa over Margie’s shoulder.

Mischief sparks in Tessa’s eyes, and I have to shift in my seat to hide the fact that my cock has a mind of its own and wants to know exactly what kind of mischief I could get up to with Tessa.

Margie pulls back, gesturing to the blonde. “This is my friend Cecilia from hot yoga. Cecilia, this is my brother Archie, the one I told you about—”

“Actually,” Tessa interrupts smoothly, sliding off her stool and stepping close enough that I catch the spicy scent of her perfume. “I think there’s been a mix-up.”

She slips her hand into mine like she’s done it a thousand times before. Her fingers are warm, her grip confident.

“I’m Tessa.” She smiles at my sister, utterly convincing. “Archie’s girlfriend.”

Margie’s mouth falls open. Cecilia’s hopeful expression crumbles into confusion.

“His—” Margie whips toward me, eyes huge. “You have a girlfriend? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s new,” I manage, finding my voice. My hand tightens around Tessa’s without conscious decision. “Didn’t want to jinx it.”

“Oh my God!” Margie’s shock is rapidly transforming into delight. She grabs Tessa’s free hand, practically vibrating. “I can’t believe this. Archie never dates anyone. Like, never. I was starting to think he’d die alone.”

“Margie.”

“What? It’s true!” She’s beaming at Tessa now, sizing her up with obvious approval. “Where did he find you? How long has this been going on? Why is he keeping you a secret?”

Tessa laughs—that same full, unguarded sound from before—and squeezes my hand. “We met at a coffee shop, actually. I spilled my latte on his coat, and he was so grumpy about it that I offered to pay for dry cleaning.”

“That tracks,” Margie says solemnly. “He’s the grumpiest.”

“I’m right here,” I point out. This woman is taking her role as my fake girlfriend a little too seriously. But then, she’s also not intimidated by my sister, and that says a lot. I’m a former Army Ranger, and sometimes my sister intimidates me.

“I know, honey.” Tessa pats my chest with her free hand, her eyes dancing with barely contained amusement. “We love your grumpy face.”

My sister looks like she might actually cry from happiness. Cecilia has already started backing toward the door, pulling out her phone with the universal expression of someone who needs to be literally anywhere else. That’s usually my move.

“I should go,” Cecilia says. “Nice to meet you all.”

“Oh! Cecilia, I’m so sorry…” Margie starts.

“It’s fine! Really!” Cecilia’s already gone, the door swinging shut behind her.

Margie turns back to us, not even pretending to be sorry about the botched setup. “Okay, you have to come to the gala.”

“What gala?” I ask, but I already know. Margie’s been talking about this for months.

“The Valentine’s Day charity gala! I’m part of the organizing committee, remember?

It’s going to be gorgeous, and now you can actually bring someone instead of lurking in the corner pretending to check your email.

” She grabs Tessa’s arm. “Please say you’ll come.

It’s next Saturday. Black tie, open bar, dancing. ”

“Margie, she doesn’t have to—”

“I’d love to.”

I stare at Tessa. She stares back, as if daring me to challenge her. What the actual fuck just happened?

“Really?” Margie squeals.

“Really.” Tessa’s smile softens, almost shy. “I haven’t been to a gala in ages. And someone has to keep this one from lurking in corners.”

Margie hugs her—actually hugs her—and Tessa hugs her back like they’ve known each other for years.

“I have to run. Brad’s waiting in the car, and we have dinner reservations. I’m so happy for you, Archie! It’s about time.” Margie points at me. “Don’t screw this up, Archie. This woman is a keeper.”

“How would you even know that?” I ask, but she’s already heading for the door, tossing a wave over her shoulder. This has completely spiraled out of control. All I wanted was to avoid a blind date, not end up committed to going to a charity ball on fucking Valentine’s Day.

The Velvet Arrow settles back into its ambient hum. Tessa’s hand is still in mine.

I should let go. But I don’t want to.

“So,” she says, turning to face me. The mischief is back in her eyes. “Valentine’s Day gala, huh?”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.” She finally slips her hand free, and I miss the warmth of it immediately. “But your face was priceless. And your sister seems sweet.”

“She’s a menace.”

“A well-meaning menace.” Tessa picks up her wine glass, draining the last sip. “So. Give me your phone.”

“Why?”

“Because if I’m going to be your fake girlfriend at a fancy gala, we should probably have each other’s numbers.”

Right.

I hand over my phone. She types in her number, then calls herself so she has mine. When she hands it back, her contact name reads Tessa (Best GF Ever) with a sparkle emoji.

“I’ll text you the details,” I say, because I don’t know what else to say. Thank you for saving me from awkward small talk with another blind date setup? Thank you for lying to my sister?

“You do that.” She slides off the stool, gathering her coat. “And Archie?”

“Yeah?”

She pauses, looking back at me with those warm brown eyes. “For the record? I don’t think you’re as grumpy as advertised.”

Then she’s gone, disappearing into the February night, leaving me alone at the bar with a half-empty whiskey and a phone number I’m already thinking about using.

I rub the back of my neck and signal for another drink.

I’m in trouble.