Page 3 of Cupid's Shot

“Nicholas sure goes all out for the holidays.” Rachel laughs.

“You have no idea.” Emily smirks.

Rachel sweeps her hair behind her shoulder, sitting up taller.

“Are you, like, peacocking?” I tease.

“I want a secret admirer too.”

“Want me to call Aaron over here?” Emily asks. “I know he’s single.”

“Pass for me,” Rachel says. “He’s hot, but I’m in my husky era.”

We giggle, but Emily’s eyes land on me next. “What about you? Why not flirt with Aaron?”

“Aaron? No way.”

“Because he’s a local?” Rachel sasses. “Remember, you live here again.”

“You’re going to have to update your rule at some point.” Emily squints at me.

“Nah. I have never dated a townie, and I never will.”

“That rule made sense in high school,” Rachel nudges me, “when you knew you were moving to Los Angeles.”

“It still makes sense.”

“But you live here now. You’re back,” Emily presses. “It’s been what, almost a year since you’ve returned to the land of cheese?”

“You’re all about supporting local, except when it comes to dating.” Rachel chuckles, taking Emily’s side.

I wave my hands—over this conversation. I never wanted to get trapped in this small town, yet now that I’m back after living on the west coast for over a decade … I like it. It’s my home.

2

There are a lot of regulars in this bar, but Sarah Anderson isn’t one of them. She was always that cool, artsy girl in high school, the one who never really fit into the small-town mold. When she went off to California after graduation, it felt like the natural next step for her. Time flies. It’s been nearly thirteen years since we graduated, and though I’ve heard she’s been back in town, I haven’t seen her much. The last time was a couple of months ago at our Christmas pop-up event.

I’ve always been intrigued by her. Back then, she had this effortless way about her—creative, bold, someone who wasn’t afraid to be different. Meanwhile, I was the skinny kid on the wrestling team, and she’s never given me the time of day. Not that I blame her. I never gave her a reason to.

Staring at her long, toned legs, I decide to take a page out of Nicholas’s playbook. I’m going to use Cupid’s magic to break the ice.

“Claire,” I say, getting the new server’s attention. “Send a round of Jello shots to Emily’s table and tell the hot girl with the legs that they’re from a secret admirer.”

Watching Sarah for a moment, I find the heart-shaped sunglasses she’s wearing ridiculous, but on her, they work. Withher light blue eyes and long, dark brown hair, she’s always been striking.

“You look so hot!” Karen, one of the regulars, interrupts my thoughts, practically panting as she leans against the bar.

I laugh, shaking a cocktail. “Thanks, Karen.”

“I can’t wait to get a photo with you later,” she adds with a wink, enjoying the spectacle of me shirtless with these ridiculous angel wings.

I flash her a smile, grateful for the brief distraction. I missed seeing Sarah’s reaction when the shots arrived at her table, but that’s probably for the best. I don’t need to overthink it. My mind starts wandering, though, thinking about what I could do next. Maybe something a little more personal.

Although, I can’t get too distracted with all the orders flying in. I buzz the office, pressing the button under the bar. Nicholas has been hiding in there for way too long. I need his help with these drinks.

“And there he is,” I tease as he finally emerges.

“We are never doing this again,” he grumbles, tugging at the wings on his back. “This is so much worse than the Santa suit.”

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