Page 1 of Matchmaking With Cupid

Chapter 1

ELOISE

The Jinx Dating Agency building rose up in front of me, looking like any normal office and not one that housed the most successful dating agency for gods and paranormals that had ever existed. It was a bold claim, but one Jinx had earned in the couple of years since it had first started. Despite working here for four months already, the building was still impressive to me.

I swiped my staff ID card through the machine by the door and it swung open, letting me make my way inside. After years of hard work, I'd been recognised and approached by the matchmaking department headed up by Cupid himself, and I had my dream job as a result.

The lift doors opened and I stepped inside, pressing the correct button and ignoring the other people in the metal box alongside me. I had no idea who any of them were, or what department they worked in, and it was best not to ask. Cupid wasn't the only god who worked within the walls of Jinx, and I didn't want to inadvertently insult any of them.

A ding sounded, announcing our arrival at my floor. I shifted the strap of my handbag over my shoulder and headed in thedirection of my office. The corridor was surprisingly deserted given the time, and it made me worry that I was late even though I knew that wasn't a possibility.

I hastened my pace just to be sure and pushed open the double doors that led into the matchmaking office. Only, I wasn't looking where I was going and ran straight into someone.

I almost fell, which was better than the other person's files, which dropped all over the floor.

"I'm so sorry," I said.

"It's fine," a melodic voice said. One I recognised and wanted to hear more of.

I swallowed hard and looked into the man's face, finding my boss trying to give me a charming and reassuring smile.

My breath caught in my throat, just for a moment. He was handsome, with curly dark hair and a lean yet muscular frame that was just my type.

"I can get those," I said when I realised I needed to say something. Calling some magic to my fingers and sending it out to collect the papers. Magic ran along the edges and they piled themselves up neatly, jumping into my hands.

"Are you all right, Ms Finch?"

"Yes. Sorry, I thought I was late." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I think you're early," he said. "No one else is in the office yet."

"So they aren't." Which was something I'd been expecting considering I knew I was early, it just seemed more reasonable to say that I thought I was late compared to telling Cupid that I'd come in early because I was expecting an email from my first clients saying that they were officially in a relationship and I was excited to get it.

"Have a good day, Ms Finch," Cupid said with a smile, already turning towards the door.

I cleared my throat. "You too." Despite knowing I shouldn't, I watched him go. Whether the reason was because he was a god or not, there was no denying that I found him attractive. I just had to ignore it so I could focus on my work. I hadn'tintendedto end up having the hots for my boss, it had just happened.

I shook my head and pulled my focus back onto the day ahead. I put my bag by my desk and headed over to the coffee machine, pulling up my group chat with my closest friends as I did. There was a surprising amount of chatter in there already, especially compared to what we'd all been like before we'd entered the workforce. But from the photos and the requests for help, Laila had an interview for a new magazine today and wanted our help choosing which of her outfits she should wear.

I typed out a quick message and hit send as the coffee machine beeped. I grabbed my drink and went back to my desk. I had no idea where the others were, but I was sure they'd be here soon. It was a small team and there were flexible working hours, even if there was an official start time.

My computer loaded up and I checked my emails, pleased to find the update I was expecting. They seemed to have had a good time on their fourth date and had decided that they were planning on taking the next step and entering into a relationship. I wasn't surprised about it, I'd clocked their chemistry the first time they'd interacted with one another.

I hit the button to take a screenshot and loaded it into the workspace designed to share our accomplishments as a team. And for matchmakers, that meant successful matches.

"A match already?"

I jumped at the sound of Cupid's voice, spinning around in my chair to find him leaning against the filing cabinet next to me.

"Sorry, I thought you knew I was here," he said.

"I thought you left." I waved in the direction of the door.

"I did, but once I'd delivered my reports, I came back. It was about two minutes ago." He shrugged as if it wasn't important. "I was going to go to my office, but then I got the notification that you'd sent through a successful match."

"Oh, yes. Erm, it's a couple of witches. They were my first account, and they just emailed to say they were making things official. They actually emailed about it last night, but I didn't see." I tried not to feel too guilty about that.

"You didn't see it because you weren't at work," he pointed out. "You're not supposed to be here twenty-four hours a day."

---