Page 18 of Incurably Cupid (Moonhaven Cove #5)

Chapter 18

Indie

“Love hopes.”

Cupid Inc. New Recruit Training Manual

T hat night, I paced my room, waiting for Mesmer to finish getting ready. My stomach was in knots, and Leo was trying to distract me from my spiraling thoughts.

“Are they serving dinner there?”

He wasn’t coming again, choosing instead to continue cracking Italy’s secrets.

I nodded, inhaled deeply, then exhaled. “Yes, Felix is having some catered in. He wanted fine dining for the event, and his pub only serves typical pub food.”

“But you love pub food.”

I shot him a look. “I’m not a participant. I can have the pub food.”

“Indie, sit,” Leo ordered.

I sat.

“What’s going through your mind? You can’t keep pacing the room; you’re making my circuits dizzy.”

I snorted a laugh, then sighed, leaning against the headboard. “I could lose him tonight, but I have to do this.”

“Why?”

I glared at him. “Because he deserves a soulmate, Leo!”

Leo sighed and said quietly, “I don’t think he wants a soulmate, Ind.”

I nodded like my head was a broken bobblehead. “That’s why I asked him to do this. I had to push so he can see what he’d really be missing out on if he chooses me.”

“Oh, Ind,” Leo said sadly, just as there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I whispered. “Good luck cracking through those files.”

Leo scoffed. “Just... take care, okay?”

I nodded, put on a pleasant expression, and opened the door. I almost slammed it in Mesmer’s face in self-preservation when I saw how jaw-dropping he looked. Instead, I sagged against it, letting it support me.

Where was a candy dish when you needed one?

Mesmer was in dress pants and a button-down, but his shirt was untucked and open at the throat, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his forearms.

I swallowed.

“You look nice, Mesmer.”

He glanced at my clothes—the same ones from earlier since I wasn’t a participant. “Did you need more time to change?”

I shook my head, tapped my back pocket to ensure I had my debit card and room key, then closed the door. “Nope. I’m just going like this.”

He nodded and lowered himself into Lance’s seat. “Just another day or so, and you’ll be able to walk around a bit more,” I said, grasping for a topic, any topic.

He smiled gently at me. “Yes, and I owe my care to you, Leo, and Lance. Thank you, Indie.”

“You’re welcome; it’s been... nice having you around.”

Completely inadequate words, but they would have to do.

In the taxi, I was quiet. The closer we got to the pub, the more I wanted to take Mesmer’s hand and run, but I had to remind myself that I was doing this so he had a choice. And I just hoped like crazy that his soulmate showed up tonight. She should. This would probably be one of the biggest singles' night events that this town had seen in a long while.

When we pulled up to the pub, there was a long line of cars, as the vehicles were being parked by valets for this event, but instead of waiting, we got out and helped Lance out of the back since we didn’t have a car to park.

Once inside, we made our way to my mum and dad, who were sitting with Felix and Yvette.

“It looks great,” I told Felix, choosing a seat close to my parents. “You did a fantastic job with the lighting and atmosphere.” He’d brought in tablecloths, linen napkins, and Moroccan-looking lanterns that cast soft prismatic light around the large open space. Soft acoustic guitar music played in the background.

Felix nodded, and I discreetly noticed that he and Yvette were holding hands. My cupid powers picked up on their new connection, but for once, it didn’t bother me.

Huh. Maybe I was mellowing out.

Dieter was helping behind the bar, and I didn’t see Astrid anywhere. I turned to Mum. “Is he okay behind the bar?”

She turned to watch him for a second and smiled. “He hasn’t had an accident yet.”

I shook my head, unable to believe the change in him. He didn’t exactly look cool and calm, but he also wasn’t dropping anything or spilling drink pitchers on anyone either.

“I guess you got to the root of the problem, then.”

Dad took a bite of his chef’s salad. It looked like he’d bought it elsewhere because I knew Felix didn’t serve salads here. I felt a little guilty. They’d taken on these four paranormals—dropping everything. They were still young and healthy cupids, but they had to have been incredibly busy over the last day or so and probably hadn’t had many opportunities to eat.

“You guys want to eat with me tonight?" I asked. "I need to stay here, but we can find a table out of the way or something.”

Felix nodded, his face lighting up. “I have just the table for you three. It’s in a quieter room, by the fireplace, so you’ll all stay warm.” He looked at my parents and me. “And of course, the catered dinner tonight is for you all as well. This night wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Before I could open my mouth to protest, Mum squeezed my hand. Hard. “We’d be delighted. Thank you, Felix and Yvette.” Dad just nodded, too focused on eating to speak.

“Thank you, Felix and Yvette,” I echoed reluctantly. I hated feeling like I was taking advantage of their generosity, especially when all I’d really done was get kidnapped. Mum and Dad had done everything.

But on second thought… I’d earned that fancy dinner. I’d paid for it with a two-day headache.

Mesmer sat nearby in his wheelchair, quietly observing the room. I still couldn’t sense his soulmate nearby, but I had hope. The pub was still relatively quiet—most people hadn’t arrived yet.

Out of the corner of my eye, something caught my attention, a flash of sparkle. When I turned to look, it was gone. I frowned, but then shook my head. No, it couldn’t be.

“Felix, can we head there now?” I asked, scanning the room. “It’s going to get busy any minute.”

Felix nodded and stood, leading us to the other room, but I was stopped as suddenly as if I had run into a brick wall when Mesmer asked me quietly, “Where do you want me?”

My heart spasmed.

With me.

Except... I couldn't say that. Instead, I dug deep and smiled. “How about I move you to a table along the far wall? That way, Lance can be parked right behind you.”

Mesmer stared at me.

I couldn’t interpret everything his eyes were telling me, but I could read enough to know he wassad—yet determined. For all the things his expression and his eyes conveyed, I knew there was a world of things they did not.

Finally, he nodded. “Thank you.”

Did that thank you sound final?

I struggled to keep my breathing steady as I led him and Lance to a clear table by the wall.

Where is your coping sarcasm now, Indie?

Facing away from him, I let a tear fall down my cheek before I wiped it away.

I cleared my throat as Mesmer transferred from Lance to his seat. “Do you need anything else?”

He shook his head. I nodded quickly and hurried to catch up with Felix, who was waiting with my parents. My dad immediately wrapped an arm around me as we made our way to the other room. I leaned my head on his shoulderand tried not to sob my eyes out.

Mesmer

I knew exactly why Indie was doing this.

For what felt like countless hours, I had been stewing in pain. Even though I’d only known Indie for a short time, I felt like I understood her—and somewhere along the way, I had fallen in love with her.

At first, I thought I knew her simply because I’d seen her around for the past year. I’d shared space with her on countless nights, when she thought no one could hear her talking to herself. I’d overheard her thoughts, her sharp wit, her quiet insecurities, and her skepticism about love. I had listened as she ranted about how people didn’t understand real love anymore. I’d seen her squirm more than once when those around her showed affection or were in any way romantic.

Looking back, there had always been a connection between us, even from the very beginning. For the longest time, I thought it was just because she was the cupid assigned to me and I was familiar with her.

Later, I convinced myself that it might be the result of some kind of bonding magic—perhaps that was the buzz I kept experiencing whenever she touched me. But now, I knew it had been none of that. I had grown so accustomed to her presence that I'd begun, in the long hours of protecting the king and consort, to consider her a friend. I appreciated her dedication to finding my mate, but more than that, I began to look forward to her company. I enjoyed her dry humor, her sarcasm, her sharp intelligence, and the goodness that radiated from her—whether she intended it or not.

And so, when she began pulling away, I realized why it hurt so much. Because I knew she could feel what I felt—and that she felt it too.

I loved her. I truly loved her.

All the little moments spent with her had added up, each one like a raindrop collecting in a river. And before I realized it, those drops had become a flood.

The love I felt for her was so deep and intense that it both overwhelmed me and filled me with gratitude. But it also terrified me, because she kept trying to give me away, as if I meant nothing to her.

I was afraid I would lose her before I even had the chance to truly have her.

I sipped my water, keeping my senses sharp. Maybe it was because I’d been spending too much time around Indie, but I knew the instant the soulmate she’d hoped would come tonight walked in.

She came alone, and was very pretty, with long red hair and striking green eyes. She even had freckles, which, oddly enough, I'd always thought would be a weakness of mine on someone I loved.

But even though there was something about her that tugged at me, I remained firmly seated.

She wasn’t Indie.

And Indie… Indie was everything I had ever wanted.

Indie

I was miserable. My head rested heavily on the table, while Mum gently rubbed circles on my back, trying to comfort me. Dad had already threatened to use bonding magic to glue Mesmer to the top of a skyscraper and leave him there. But when I told them both what was happening between us, and what I was trying to accomplish, they fell silent.

Finally, Dad cleared his throat and spoke gruffly, "I understand what you're trying to do, love, but I think you're making a mistake."

Mum nodded solemnly. "He's in love with you, darling, and you're in love with him. There's magic between you. Your connection is strong, make no mistake."

I groaned into the table. "You're not helping. I’m doing this for his own good," I muttered, barely audible.

Mum snorted. "Says who? It’s certainly not for his good. That gargoyle looked absolutely miserable when you walked away from him tonight."

Suddenly, I sat up, jolting as though I’d been zapped by a storm elemental. My magic immediately focused on a single individual entering the room, pausing by the entrance.

I closed my eyes, fighting back the sob that threatened to escape. "She’s here."

Mum’s voice was soft, but firm. "What are you going to do about it?"

I drew in a ragged breath, my chest tightening with emotion. It felt like a cyclone was building inside me, churning, threatening to tear me apart.

"I don’t know," I whispered, my voice breaking. The pull to run to him, to beg him for forgiveness, to beg him to love me... it was overwhelming. But I couldn’t. Not when he had undoubtedly found his perfect soulmate.

Mum fixed me with a determined look. "Indie Valentine, I did not raise you to be like this. You get your butt up, and you either go claim him—which I think is your best option—or you go help him. Either way, you woman up!"

I blinked, gaping at her. I couldn’t remember her ever speaking to me so forcefully before—and, for that matter, I didn’t think she’d ever used the word ‘butt’ before either.

But she was right. She was so right!

What was I doing here?

Was I a cupid or a mouse?

I wanted Mesmer to choose me. I wanted to be with him forever. I wanted his tender glances, his fond smiles when I did something idiotic. I wanted the warmth of his hands, the softness of his lips. I wanted his good heart, his devoted soul. I wanted days, years, decades more—but only with him. Only ever with him.

I bolted upright so suddenly that my chair tipped over and crashed to the ground. Without a second thought, I dashed into the main area of the pub, nearly skidding as I rounded the corner.

The place was packed. I could barely make out Mesmer’s table against the far wall, surrounded by people filling every available space. I made my way through the throng, shoving past anyone who got in my way.

But then Mesmer stood. He noticed me, struggling through the crowd, and without a second glance, he ignored the woman walking toward him, bypassing her completely to meet me in the middle of the room.

Just as I reached him, that familiar sparkle flashed again from the corner of my eye, and I tripped over nothing and went flying—right into Mesmer’s chest.

He wrapped his arms around me and brought his lips to mine, tenderly, as if in great devotion. His lips brushed my cheek, my nose, and then returned to my lips. When he finally pulled back—his arms still encircling my waist—he looked down at me, his gray eyes filled with fierce resolve and tender love for me.

"You’re my mate. I only ever want you."

My heart squeezed painfully. "I just wanted to give you the chance to have a soulmate... the chance to have children."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "How many would you like?"

I gaped at him. "What? But I just?—"

Before I could finish, he leaned down and kissed me again. "Indie, when I said you’re my mate, I meant that you’re a compatible soulmate for me. I just kissed you. I would know."

For the first time in my life, I burst into loud, messy sobs and buried my face in Mesmer’s chest.

He picked me up effortlessly, carrying me back to his table, and settled me onto his lap. He rubbed my back in gentle circles while I soaked his shirt.

Mum and Dad arrived, and Mesmer quietly spoke with them as I struggled to regain control over my suddenly unruly emotions.

Who knew being in love could be this miserable?

Oh, that’s right. This cupid did!

But it was also warm, like a soft glow in my chest. Comforting. Peaceful. Beautiful. I glanced up at Mesmer, who winked at me before smirking again.

And infuriating.

I scowled at him, but his eyes softened, and filled with warmth and tenderness. He leaned down and kissed me again—never mind that my parents were probably watching us with little hearts in their eyes, overjoyed. The moment his lips met mine, the world disappeared.