Page 113 of The Cupid Chronicles

“Oh, my gosh, did something finally happen?” Nicola asks. “Please say yes! We placed bets on how long it would take, and if you tell me it happened within the last week, I’m totally going to win.”

I frown. “You placed bets?”

“I already lost,” Val says. “I thought you’d realize it two weeks ago.”

“Realize what?” I set the flour down at my workstation.

“That you’re falling for her,” Val says. “Like, really falling for her.”

“I am not.” I use an exasperated tone, but the truth is, Iwantto talk to them about Iris. I just . . . don’t know how. It’s been so long since I’ve had any romantic feelings to sort through, I don’t even know what to say.

Which is exactly why I want their help. I don’t know what I’m doing.

“Chef,” Nicola says. “You’ve been trying not to love that woman since she followed you to workweeksago.”

“And then, you doubled down every time she showed up here—unannounced or otherwise.” Val’s expression is pointed.

“She’s just my neighbor. It’s not—” Their matching glares stop me, and I suck in a breath, certain I’m going to regret this. “Fine. Yes. I like her.”

The squeals sound a lot like screams this time.

I hold up both hands. “Nope. I’m not talking to you guys if you’re going to . . . do all that.” I scrunch my face in disapproval.

They start a smattering ofSorry! We won’t! We’ll be quiet! Tell us everything!And I turn toward my station. “I have to prep.”

The door swings open, and Bear walks in. “Whoa. What’s going on in here?”

Val’s eyes go wide. “Teo.And IRIS?—”

“What about them?” Bear’s like a lamp set on the dimmest setting.

“We don’t know yet,” Val hisses. “Stop talking so we can find out.”

He frowns and looks at me. “You and Iris, what? Like, finally . . .” He gives his shoulders an exaggerated shrug and widens his eyes.

I shrug back, as if to say,I mean, kind of?

Bear nods and grunts a reply that says,Cool, then continues nodding, but in ashe’s hotsort of way.

I pull a face—I know, dude.

“Oh my gosh,whatis happening?” Nicola shakes her head. “It’s like some weird primal form of Morse code.”

“Are you two finished?” Val glares at Bear, and he walks away but not before he throws a thumbs-up over his head on the way out.

Both women turn the weight of their full attention back to me.

“Spill,” Nicola says.

I’m not getting out of this, that much is clear. “Fine. Yes. I like her. I kissed her. And . . . I told her about Aria. No, I don’t know what’s happening next. No, I’m not sure when I’ll see her again, and no, I don’t want to discuss it with either of you.”

More overlapping reactions—Wait! What? Whoa! I’ve got questions! Where is she now? Does she feel the same way?

And once the initial response dies down, Val goes still. “You told her about Aria?”

I nod.

“How’d it go?” Nic asks.

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