Page 137 of Love & Heart Braking

My chest tightened. “When he gets back, could you ask him to call Cerys Concordia immediately, please?”

I hung up before she could—because I needed a win—then stared at the phone. It doesn’t mean he’s in danger. Devereaux had to go out and about for work all the time.

My first client entered, and I did my best to settle into spreading love, but joy wasn’t so easy to spread when my heart felt cold. Coincidence or not, the matches pulling up on our system were average at best, and by lunch, I hadn’t managed to successfully spread any love at all.

“I need to go out,” I said to Annya who was eating at her desk. Enzo had already left to grab a bite to eat. “Could you handle the phones?”

“No problem. Take all the time you need.”

I’d had the least interaction with the quiet cupid out of the three new employees. She was so different from me and Soleil—and not as forthcoming as Enzo and Rolli. But I felt she balanced Yearning Hearts, too, and really connected with our timid clients. “Thanks. Need anything?”

She held up her sandwich. “All set.”

Good. I didn’t have long.

I hurried toward Yearning Harmony. In five minutes, I was bursting through the glass door. Rolli was chatting with the three other cupids, Kiki, Lunas, and Arte. “Hey, everyone. Thought I’d pop by to see how you’re doing.”

Kiki answered, “It’s so much more satisfying, Cerys. You have no idea.”

Yikes. She was the one Rolli didn’t think had what it took. Though it was early days yet. I focused on the ribbons flowing out of her body. Thick white ribbons and a thick pink ribbon with a thin white line braided through. Her purple ribbons, however, were few and thin. This woman put emphasis on family and love. She either wasn’t much for friendship or just hadn’t come across the right people yet. “I’m glad to hear it. Lunas, Arte, how are you finding things?”

Arte echoed Kiki’s response.

Lunas shrugged a shoulder. “I enjoy the work more. I’d like more clients, but I know that will come with time.”

I nodded. “How are numbers today?”

Rolli dusted icing sugar off his hands. The dude had a major sweet tooth, which Soleil had said made her trust him more. “No more cancellations today,” he said. “We have six in across the day.”

“Enjoy the lower numbers while you can. After the event this weekend, you’ll all be busier.” I hope. “Kiki, could I have a word?”

She beamed. “Sure.”

We sat in the waiting area. Instead of a love seat like Yearning Hearts, we’d put in a high table and stools, mimicking a bar, setting a casual friendship tone.

“I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the job,” I said. “It’s a big change from sex to friendship.”

She nodded. “Pick Up never felt right.”

Yet her subscription numbers had been far better when she worked under Fenton. And with her ribbons, that made sense. Love, and sex as part of that, was something she understood more than friendship. “I’m wondering if you can help me out. Numbers at Yearning Harmony are low for now, but we have a waiting list of a month at Yearning Hearts. Rolli’s desk there is begging to be filled, and I’d love if you could fill it.”

Her eyes widened. “Love?”

I read the new light in her eyes as she nodded frantically. Kiki may have liked friendship more than sex, but for most cupids, love was the real prize. Which, now that I could see all the connections between people, was a mistake. Connection of every type was important. “Yep. Are you in?”

“Of course!”

I held up a finger. “It’s with one stipulation. I’d like for you to enter the system at Yearning Harmony.”

She blinked. “Me? Why?”

How to phrase this? “Could you tell me about the friendships in your life?”

“Sure. I like my neighbor. She’s one of those grumpy types that care. I bake her a banana loaf on a Sunday. Sometimes I meet an old school friend for a drink, but she lives outside of Nepos.” She thought, then colored. “I have a large family, and there’s not much time for friendship.”

“How lucky to have a big family,” I said.

She smiled. “I am.”

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