Page 3 of When the Angel Falls First

I found that the more I read, the more invested I became in whether the characters would solve the mystery.

“You need anything else, Caleb?” Victory, one of my regular waitresses, asked.

I gave her a friendly smile over the pages of my book and nodded toward my half-full lemonade. “I’d love a top-up, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. Be right back.” She zipped off, weaving between the café tables and clustered diners with ease.

Most of the patrons and employees here were supes, drawn by the feeling of safety in numbers. My senses had no trouble picking them all out for what they were, though quite a few of them were puzzled by the sight—and scent—of me.

An adorable selkie family with a new pup, a pair of half-human orcs, three tiger shifters having a business lunch, and a lone wolf shifter named Jaime were all seated on the patio. And me, of course. The fallen cupid who haunted the place, with mystery books and a bottomless lemonade. It was one of the small pleasures in my life, but the easy people-watching from my corner table was the real draw. Or it had been, before I’d gotten hooked on the lemonade.

Right now, I was keeping tabs on Amy and David, two star-crossed lovers who’d been separated for going on six years. But the heavenly Host knew that they were meant to be, and unbeknownst to either of them, they were walking down parallel streets, about to meet again.

Today was the day, and I felt it to the tips of my off-limits wings. Amy was in low spirits, grappling with what felt like an impossible decision. David was lost and restless, searching for purpose after losing another love.

They were both low, they were both lonely, and it was all about to change. I turned the page of my book, letting my senses unfurl, keeping precise watch on David’s progress down the Ave, and Amy’s down 42nd as they drew nearer.

Any second now… Amy reached the critical spot, and I exerted a little magical pressure on the traffic light. It turned early, the walk sign flashing. David huffed but started jogging to reach it rather than having to wait for the next light. He zipped down the sidewalk and made a hard turn into the crosswalk. The seconds were ticking down, but he kept up his pace. And thank goodness, because messing with traffic-light timing could have other unintended consequences.

When he finally reached my side of the street, he stopped, swiping a bead of sweat off his forehead. Amy was looking down, wiping a tear off her cheek as she walked straight into his broad back.

Gotcha.

“Oh, shit! I’m so sorry!” She fumbled, looking up with horror.

He spun, startled by both being run into and the familiar voice. “Amy? Are you okay?”

“David? Wow, it’s been… years.” She surreptitiously brushed her cheeks again, but the small movement wasn’t lost on David. He’d always been attentive. He was the perfect complement for Amy, who always put others first, even to her own detriment. She needed someone caring and unselfish, who wouldn’t take advantage but would put her first and treat her with respect. That someone was David.

I’d bet my last damn feather on it.

“Is everything okay? You look like you’ve been crying.” He searched for words as he gazed into her green eyes. “I mean, you look even more gorgeous than I remember, but I hate to see you upset.” He settled a gentle hand on her arm, and she shivered under his touch. It was a small reaction, but I couldn’t help my grin. She was still into him, and he had never gotten over her.

“It’s been a rough week.”

Honesty. They were falling back together so beautifully.

David caught his breath, eagerness rolling off him at the chance to be near her again. “Can we go somewhere and talk for a while? I’d love to hear how you’ve been. Maybe we can work through the rough week together.” He squeezed her shoulder lightly, and she nodded, bottom lip between her teeth.

I pushed a gentle suggestion toward him of a quiet coffee shop only a block over, where they wouldn’t bump into anyone else to interrupt the conversation.

“I know of a great coffee shop. Is your drink still an Americano, two extra sugars?”

She nodded in shock. “I can’t believe you still remember that.”

He smiled down at her, genuinely happy. “You’re worth remembering.”

The two walked off toward the coffee shop, side by side, with the first hints of rekindled attraction flaring around them.

Perfect.

I withdrew my focus, letting the café chatter and occasional horn-blasts from the traffic filter back in. No changes, except a new party of six seated a few tables away. Trolls, wearing a glamour to hide their bluish-gray skin. Victory was approaching with a tray full of drinks—including my fresh lemonade—when it hit me.

Fated mates, and now was their moment.

The lone wolf’s eyes were pinned to her, his lip curled in a protective half-snarl as she moved quickly toward the table of rowdy male trolls. I scanned the patio, letting my senses unfurl, assessing the options. The wolf was seated next to the selkie family, their sweet little girl playing happily with a pair of spoons, her back to the wolf.

Destiny could always use a little help.

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