Page 1 of Cupid's Shot

Prologue

Friday, January 3rd

“You want me to what?” I ask, stunned with the Valentine’s-themed idea from High Five’s social media team. Staring at the laptop on the bar, I shake my head again, still in disbelief.Angel wings?

Nicholas, who bought the dive bar in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at the end of last summer, is chuckling, sitting beside me. He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “It’s only fair,” he says, too amused for my liking. “You’re the manager now.”

When I took on more responsibility, I didn’t think it would mean this.

“I’ve liked working at High Five more since you came around,” I mutter, still side-eyeing him, “but these days ... the Santa suit you wore last month was child’s play compared to what you’re asking me to do now.”

“What’s the big deal?” Taylor, our twenty-something account manager, pipes up over the virtual meeting. “Give the people what they want,” she encourages.

Nicholas’s smile widens, and the urge to smack him grows. “You’ve got a fan club. Trust me, those wings will make the ladies go crazy.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples as the image of myself shirtless in angel wings flashes before my eyes. I know exactly how this will go. If our Christmas pop-up event was any indication, this single’s event will be packed—and the money will be good. Like, way beyond a regular weekend in February good.

Still. Angel wings?

Grabbing Nicholas’s phone out of his hand, I stare down at the wings he wants to order. I look ridiculous already.

“No way,” I protest, shaking my head. “At least the Santa suit gave you an in with Emily. Who will the wings attract for me ... besides all the regulars taking the opportunity to feel me up?”

Nicholas chuckles again, because of course, he knows I’m right. The local ladies—fun as they are—are going to have a field day. “You’ll make a grand in tips, easy.”

I huff, knowing just how right he is. “I have to wear these all night?”

“Yes,” Taylor chimes in, the growing smirk on her face making me regret ever agreeing to this meeting. It was her idea after all to do the Christmas pop-up, and she’s been running with these viral concepts ever since. I’ve got to admit she’s good at her job. The bar’s online following has exploded thanks to her, and for this being the off season, I’m making decent money. Usually the off season has me questioning if summer’s busy season is enough to justify this job.

“And I have to take photos with people?” I ask, although I already know the answer.

“Only for one hour,” Nicholas adds, like he’s doing me a favor.

I cross my arms. “And I’m guessing these photos are what, supposed to go viral on TikTok?”

Taylor’s nod is swift, like it’s already a done deal. “Aaron mixing drinks, shirtless and in angel wings? Viral all day, every day. We agreed increasing the bar’s presence ahead of summer was top priority, remember?”

Right. The TikTok thing. Part of me gets it—business is business—but the other part of me wonders what’s next. Am I going to be a shirtless bartender during every holiday now?

I steal another glance at the wings on Nicholas’s phone, and a thought hits me. “If you also wear wings that night,” I say, leveling my gaze at him, “I’ll do it.”

Nicholas pauses for a second, his eyes narrowing before he smirks. “Done. It’ll be a good excuse to lose my winter weight.”

I shake my head with a laugh, my competitive side waking up. “Now you’re making it a competition?”

“Game on,” he challenges, leaning back on his barstool.

I cock my brow at him, ready for the challenge. “I won’t touch a carb until it’s showtime.”

“We’re settled then,” Taylor says, practically bouncing in her chair. She’s a little too excited about this. “Two Cupid bartenders and photos with Aaron as Cupid. Did you like our ideas about the drink specials?”

Our meeting continues with drink specials and hashtags, but I’m still reeling from the fact that I just agreed to wear angel wings, shirtless, for the Cupid’s Crush event. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

1

Saturday, February 8th

The last time all three of us were at High Five, Emily found a man. I doubt I’ll get struck by Cupid’s arrow tonight, but I’m hoping to find some banter and a free drink. Walking into the local dive bar, I spot Emily and Rachel already seated at a tall boy table.

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