Page 131 of The Cupid Chronicles

Matteo grins, kisses the top of my head, and says, “I’m going to go clean myself up.”

I nod and watch as he goes, waving at the kids to let them know the show is over. Somehow, Matteo managed to keepme marinara-free, which is something of a little miracle all on its own.

Winnie walks up beside me, one eyebrow raised and a wicked grin on her face. “That man looks good inanything.”

I can’t keep from smiling. “He sure does.”

“You know, Iris.” She puts a hand on my arm. “I’ve lived a long, full life. Some moments have been beautiful and wonderful and unforgettable. And other moments have been dark and sad and heavy. But through all of those moments, I’ve found friends who are as close as family.”

I look at Winnie, then scan the crowd. I spot Brooke, bending over to fix a little girl’s bow on the top of her head. She glances up and makes a face at me.

There’s Liz, chatting up some parents. She smiles when our eyes meet and gives me a wave.

On the other side of the gym, I see Val and Nicola, Bear and Dante, cleaning and serving and being loud and obnoxious. Nic catches my eye and gives me a wink.

Friends who are as close as family.

Winnie pats my hand. “I know a little something about life and love and loss, and there’s one thing I know for sure.”

“I’m listening,” I say, eager for her to finish because I will soak up every word.

“I don’t believe that soulmates are found. They’remade.” She squeezes my arm and leans in a little closer. “The real magic is when two people make thechoiceto love each other. To put each other first—no matter what. And making that choice every single day, over and over”—she pats my hand—“that is a truly rare and beautiful thing. That’s what a soulmate is.”

Soulmates aren’t found, they’re made.

The words are so simple, they’re profound.

And I realize that maybe it was the newspaper thatbrought Matteo and me together, but only he and I can turn what we have into magic.

I look at Winnie, who I’m now convinced knows more about the magic in The Serendipity than she’s telling me, but she only smiles. “I have to go save Jerry from carbohydrate overload. If he eats any more of those tiny pastries, he’s not going to fit into his competition pants.”

I laugh as Winnie pulls me into one of her hugs. This time, I don’t try to shorten it or pull away. I hug her back, thankful she’s now a part of my life. Then, I walk out into the hallway to find Matteo so I can kiss him properly without an audience that’s all under four-foot-three.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Iris

Cloud nine.

That’s where I live now.

It’s one thing to help others find magic, it’s an entirely different thing tofeelit for yourself.

After the Art Show, I grin the whole way home. When I get back to my apartment, I change into my most comfortable clothes then trudge down the hallway, and before I can knock on his door, it opens.

Matteo takes one look at me and smiles. A real one. An eye-brightening, cheeky smile that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

He takes me by the hand and pulls me inside, closing the door and pulling me close until our bodies are flush against each other. His eyes dart around like pinballs, taking in every inch of my face, and his smile lingers.

“You smell like garlic,” I joke.

“You look like heaven,” he answers.

I give him a playful shrug. “I’ll accept it.”

“You know,” he says. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight.”

At that, my skin warms, and as he brushes a soft kiss across my lips, a tingle runs up my spine. “No,” I whisper. “You didn’t.”

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