Page 96 of The Cupid Chronicles

Joy’s face reddens. “Oh, no, honey, I don’t think I’m qualified.”

“But you’re teaching me piano,” Alice says. “And you sing all the time.”

Joy’s laugh is nervous. “But I’m not a teacher.” She looks at me. “I’m not a teacher.”

Right. I mean, being able to sing doesn’t make you qualified to teach. I glance at Charles. “Maybe you could hire her as a long-term sub?”

“Now, there’s an idea,” Charles says. “Are you looking for a job?”

“I have been, yes,” Joy says. “But?—”

“You’d have the same hours as Alice,” I cut in. “And you’d get to see her during the day.”

Alice looks up and slips her hand into her mom’s. “Do it, Mommy,” she whispers.

“If you have the time, we could talk about the job right now,” Charles says. “No pressure, I’ll just give you the basics so you can make an informed decision.”

“Uh, yeah,” Joy says. “Sure.”

“Great.” He gives her a nod, then sticks out his hand. “I’m Charles.”

She laughs, but I don’t miss the tears in her eyes, and I wonder if the prospect of finding a job that won’t require late hours away from Alice is overwhelming. “Joy Standish.” She shakes his hand, and a wave of happiness washes over me.

What if this actually works?

“I can take Alice to class,” I say with a glance at the little girl.

“Thank you, Iris.” Charles motions for Joy to follow him into the main office, and before she goes, she gives Alice a quick hug and kisses the top of her head.

I can practically see the burden on both of their shoulders lifting.

Because I took the time to pay attention.

Alice watches for a second as her mom follows Charles, then looks at me.

“Well, that’s exciting,” I say. “It would be fun to have your mom in school, wouldn’t it?”

And for the first time since I met her, Alice smiles.

It warms my entire soul.

It’s enough to set the tone for my entire day. I walk on sunshine through the rest of my classes, anxious to share all of this with Matteo as soon as possible. I think about texting him—this is why I demanded he put his number in my phone before I left yesterday—but decide I want to tell him in person. I want him to hear the joy in my voice when I relay this news because—What in the world?! The magic is legit!

That afternoon, I get caught up working on details for the art show and leave work a little later than usual, so I rush straight to Aria and park in the back because I know they’re not open yet.

I turn off the car and stare at the back entrance. There’s a sign on it that says “Staff Only,” which, I am very aware, does not include me.

I tap the steering wheel.You don’t belong here, Iris.

But…I have to tell him Joy got the job at the school. That the magic just made her life ten times better. That Alice smiled.

But . . . he won’t like me walking through that door.

I pull out my phone and shoot him a text.

Iris

Hey, I’m in the parking lot with a magic update. Is it okay if I come in quick?

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