A Little Bit Cupid: A Collection of Short Stories Read online

  I sighed. It was humbling to realize a pivotal moment in my life centered around her and she had no memory of it. “I didn’t look like this then.” I gestured at myself. “I was short, thin, and wore horrible thick glasses.” Thank God for contacts.

  She smiled. “That explains it. I would have remembered those eyes.”

  Warmth spread through my body at her words. “Some kids were picking on me by the lockers. You came around the corner, and I’ll never forget it—you yelled for them to stop. You said, Step back. Leave him alone. You were so angry.” I shook my head at the memory. When she turned the corner and she’d seen them slam me against the locker, she ran toward me, her long brown hair flying behind her. She’d dropped her book bag on the floor, her hands on her hips while the boys quickly dropped me and stepped back. She’d said if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave him alone. Her threat had the intended effect.

  “Then I thanked you and you stayed to talk to me—to make sure I was okay.” Her kindness made an impression.

  “Did it work? Did they leave you alone?”

  “They did. They didn’t bother me again. People listened to you.” She was powerful in that school and she used her power for good. Or at least that’s what I always thought. That was the one time she’d paid attention to me, even though I watched her closely after that. I developed a crush, a hero-worship that never really went away. I would never have approached her because she was completely out of my league. But now we were on an even playing field. Dating a woman two years older wouldn’t be an issue. I’d matured, my body had filled out. I knew I looked good, but the key was finding someone who liked me for who I was, and not for my good looks.

  “Good.” Her face scrunched like something was distasteful.“I didn’t like bullying so if I saw it I stepped in. And maybe you’re right, people listened to me. That’s always been the case. I make friends easily. I tend to be the leader in a group.”

  “That’s commendable for someone so young.”

  “I’m a middle school counselor now so it’s my job to deal with issues between students, and to look for ways to prevent bullying.”

  Maybe that’s why she’d been so sensitive to others being bullied when she was young. It was in her nature. “You’re brave.”

  “It’s a tough age but I like the challenge. I like helping kids see that there’s more to life than what’s happening inside the school’s four walls.”

  My chest filled with admiration, just like it did in high school when she had helped me. I ate a few more bites before revealing more of myself. I wanted her to know everything about me. “I didn’t fill out until college and women viewed me differently.” I smiled bitterly. “All of a sudden, they wanted to spend time with me and to get to know me.”

  “I can see why. You’re good looking, kind, and obviously smart.”

  She was saying nice things—nice words, but I wanted more from her. I wanted to know her. I wanted her to know me. I wanted to know if this chance meeting on an island was fate. Was that chance meeting in high school the start of something meant to be? I hoped so.

  “Does your family still live in Naples?”

  “My parents do. My younger sister moved to Chicago for school and never came back. I can never understand wanting to live in harsh winters.”

  “Me neither. Florida is in my blood. I couldn’t leave.”

  I loved hearing that more than I should. This should be a lunch catching up with an old acquaintance, but it wasn’t. It felt surreal even if she didn’t know who I was before today.

  We’d finished our meal and pushed our plates back but I didn’t want lunch to end. I’d only just reconnected with her. “Do you want to go on a hike?”

  She looked at me in surprise. “I’d planned on spending the weekend by myself trying to figure out where to go next.”

  “You can still do that but you can also spend time with an old classmate. I know we weren’t friends then, but I’d like to know you now.”

  “Don’t you have work to do?”

  “I finished up this morning and planned on exploring the island before I needed to go back.”

  “If you’re sure?” At my nod, she said, “I’d love to have company.”

  The server brought the bill and I grabbed it before she could.

  “I can pay for half.” She looked adorably put out.

  “No, this is my treat. Think of it as a thank you for saving me in high school.” She’d saved me in more ways than one. Not only had she helped me in that situation, she’d deterred the bullies from bothering me again, and she’d given me hope that things could get better. My mother always told me college would be better, that kids matured, and that I’d fill out, but I hadn’t believed it until I saw Ally’s kindness in action that day.

  “I accept your thank you but there’s no need. You thanked me then.”

  I placed my credit card in the billfold and slid it to the end of the table. “You remember?” My heart picked up at the idea.

  “I do. It’s coming back to me. Mostly I remember talking to you afterward. How grateful you were—embarrassed but grateful.”

  Warmth spread through me that she remembered, and she was right. I was thankful and embarrassed that the one time I’d gotten the chance to speak with Allyson Brooks, I was being slammed into lockers. Not the way you want to meet a girl like that. She’d patted my shoulder and it was at that moment that I promised myself if I ever got a chance with her I’d never screw it up. This was my chance. I’d capitalize on every second we had together.

  When the bill was paid, I held out my hand to her. “Do you need stop at your cottage and change?”

  She wore a pretty yellow sundress with sandals, which was perfect for lunch but not hiking.

  When she placed her smaller hand in mine, a tingle shot up my arm, startling me.

  Chapter Three

  ALLY

  “You’re right, I’m not exactly dressed for hiking.” I couldn’t believe I was walking hand-in-hand with a man I’d met at lunch. Sure, we’d gone to school together, but he was still technically a stranger, even if I felt like I’d gotten to know him at lunch. I’d learned about his family, his job, and the underlying insecurity from his experience in high school and his bitterness that women treated him differently now solely because of his looks. I knew it wasn’t that, though. He was the whole package—kind and sexy. He was a good man. That was my initial instinct—whether I could trust that was another matter.

  He cleared his throat. “Of course.”

  As we walked the dirt path to my cottage, the palm trees swayed in the breeze, and I relaxed even more. I pulled open the screen door to the enclosed porch of the small white cottage. “Can you wait on the porch while I change?”

  “Sure.” He took a seat on the porch swing while I unlocked the door and went inside. I took a deep breath with my palm still on the door as I closed it. What was I doing? This was so impulsive. Yeah, I knew him. We went to school together but I didn’t know him—not really. I was a planner. I didn’t enter a relationship until I really got to know the person. There was no sex until it was clear we were exclusive.

  So, what was I doing? I wasn’t sure, but something told me if I didn’t pursue whatever this was, I’d regret it. He’d called our meeting fate and the allure of that was too good to resist.I’d wanted a romantic weekend and what could be more romantic than meeting an attractive sexy man on an island?

  I opened the suitcase I hadn’t unpacked yet and pulled out shorts, a tank top, and my sneakers. I brushed my hair, pulling it into a ponytail. I emptied my bookbag of my kindle and tablet and filled it with granola bars and bottled water.

  When I stepped back onto the porch, Ryker held out his hand for my bag. “I’ll carry it.”

  I made a promise to myself as I handed it over without an argument—I’d enjoy this man for the day. I deserved something good in my life—even if it was fleeting.

  A satisfied smile covered his face as he hitched
it over his shoulders. “Ready?”

  Feeling lighter than I had in a long time, I placed my hand in his. “Yes.”

  He pulled a map out of his back pocket and handed it to me. “The brochure says there are trails all over the island. Did you want to pick a particular path or did you want to explore?” His light blue eyes held a challenge—to take a risk not only with this hike but with him.

  I tucked the map into my pocket as my heart rate picked up in anticipation. “Let’s explore.” For the first time in forever, I’d enjoy whatever this was without a plan of action. I’d go wherever the path took us.

  There was no better feeling than the breeze in my hair, the sun on my face, and the sight of palm trees and tropical flowers. It was beautiful. “I’m so glad my friends insisted I come.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Me too.”

  The path was a combination of dirt, sand, and the occasional seashell. It was unlike any hiking I’d done before. It wasn’t challenging physically, but everything I’d done on the island was pushing my limits emotionally. We walked in silence for a half-hour or so, enjoying the sights and quiet.

  “You hear that?”

  I tilted my head, stilling my breath, to hear a trickling creek. “There’s water?”

  “Yeah, there’s a tidal creek that flows through the island.”

  We walked a little farther before the path opened up to the narrow creek. Soft light filtered through the trees overhead and mangroves bordered the water. The air was cooler here.

  “So beautiful,” I said softly, afraid to speak too loudly and ruin the beauty of the moment. Ryker guided me over to a rock and pulled me to sit next to him.

  I grabbed the water bottle from my bag, twisted off the cap, the water glided down my parched throat.

  “Thank you for a perfect day.” I tilted my head back slightly to enjoy the feel of the warm sun on my face.

  “It’s not over yet.” His eyes held a promise.

  A promise of what, I didn’t know, but I sure as hell wanted to find out.

  He reached out to take my water bottle, placing it back in the pocket of my bag. He shifted on the rock so we faced each other, his knees on the outside of mine. His hand cupped my cheek and my breath caught in my throat. I knew he was going to kiss me and I wasn’t going to stop him.

  Chapter Four

  RYKER

  I couldn’t believe I was sitting on a rock in the middle of an island about to kiss the woman of my dreams. My hand cupped the soft skin of her cheek as I drew her in close, enjoying the anticipation. Her eyes were soft and her lips parted. My eyes drifted shut and I touched her lips lightly—the sound of my heart thudding in my ears overpowering the trickling creek.

  When she didn’t stop me, I brushed over her lips again, tilting my head to get a better angle before slipping my tongue inside her mouth. My tongue tangled with hers as my skin heated. I wanted to push her back onto the rock and feel her body pressed against mine. I wanted to pick her up and straddle her across my lap. It was too much but not enough. I groaned, pulling back slightly to find her hooded eyes filled with the same lust that I felt.

  “What was that?” she asked softly.

  My thumb traced her lips. “A long time coming.” It was a thank you for that moment in high school when she’d protected me. It was a taste of the man I was now. It was a promise of more to come.

  I saw guilt cloud her face.

  We were in different places. While I hadn’t dated anyone in six months, she was fresh from a relationship. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know if I should be doing this. I just broke up with my boyfriend.”

  “No,” my voice came out harsher than I intended. “He betrayed you. You are free to see whoever you want without guilt.”

  “Isn’t there a mourning period for a relationship?”she asked, but her voice was tentative and uncertain.

  I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her. “Not when he cheated on you. Do you feel this pull to me? Do you feel our chemistry?” How could she not? One kiss and I was ready to see how it could be between us.

  She swallowed. “Yes.”

  “Then give us a chance. Please.” This started out as a high school crush, but seeing her again today, I knew this could be the start of something big.

  She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them determination shone through. “Okay.”

  She might think our kiss was impulsive but I wanted more—much more. I had no intention of leaving things at today.

  I handed her the water bottle and shifted so that we were facing the water again. “Did you want to continue walking?”

  “Sure. I have nowhere to be. This is vacation, after all.” Her expression was open again and relaxed.

  Unfortunately, it wasn’t vacation for me. I didn’t want to mention that our time was limited but I had no choice. “I have to get back to the boat by three P.M.”

  She stood, holding her hand out. “Then let’s not waste any time.”

  I took her hand, walking on the path next to the creek. After a few minutes enjoying the silence, she said, “I love how the island is virtually untouched.”

  I did too. The island didn’t have any roads or cars. It made this moment with this woman so much more special. We didn’t run into anyone since most visitors were only day-trippers eating lunching at the restaurant. It was like we were the only people around. I didn’t want the moment to end but the knowledge I had to leave to catch the boat weighed on me.

  Ally laughed and shook her head. “Do you know when I told my mom I was planning this trip, she thought I was crazy. She told me to go to Cayo Costa with its beautiful beaches and seashells.”

  “Your mother’s right. It’s beautiful there. Cayo Costa has beaches and Cabbage Key has none.” If she’d chosen that trip I wouldn’t have run into her. And now that I had, I needed to make an impression so she couldn’t walk away—at least not easily.

  “It is, but there was just something about coming to an island with limited lodging. The day-trippers depart in the afternoon, leaving only a few people on the island. It seemed so romantic—so secluded. There’s no TV, no distractions.”

  “It is romantic.” I was experiencing that with her.

  “How many people can say they were one of only a few people on an island?”

  “Not many. Unless you’re a celebrity and can afford to go to secluded islands on your vacations.”

  She shook her head again and looked at me with longing. “This is going to sound crazy because we only met a few hours ago but I wish you didn’t have to leave.”

  The longing in her eyes and voice caused my breath to catch, but I didn’t like her insinuation that this was all we could have. “You live in Naples and I live in Sanibel. It’s not that far. Dating is doable.”

  Regret lined her face and I knew what she was going to say before she opened her mouth. “There’s something about being on this island that makes me feel like it has to stay here.”

  My heart twinged. It sounded sweet and romantic except for the fact she was shutting the door on me contacting her after this. “It doesn’t have to.”

  “It does.”

  “Why?” Was my timing with this woman always going to be wrong? When we were kids she was two years older and popular, which was a huge barrier. Now any chance was thwarted by her asshole ex and her fear of me being what—a rebound? She was going to discount whatever happened between us as being too soon or just a one-day distraction.

  Her face pinched. “I’m not ready for anything else.”

  “Hmm. That’s a valid point, but what if running into me on this island was the best thing that ever happened to you?” I stopped, turning to face her, her hand in mine as I brushed a wayward strand of hair off her forehead. “What if your ex was meant to cheat on you so you would be available to meet me? What if I’m your destiny—I’m your future?”

  She rubbed her arm as if goose bumps had formed at my words, and hope shined in her eyes for a
second before she visibly shut down. Her eyes shuttered and her shoulders slumped. “There you go with talk of fate again. I don’t believe in that. I’m not a dreamer, and the reality is that my last relationship didn’t work out, so why would this one? Especially when we’ve only just met.”

  “I’m not promising it would.” Even if I had high hopes. “But if you don’t give this a chance you’ll never know. You’ll always wonder what if. I’ll always wonder what if. If you want good things in your life you have to be open to them.”

  “Wow.” She smiled. “You certainly have a way with words.”

  “Only around you, it seems.” Normally, I wasn’t this forward. But I only had this small window of time to convince her.

  It was then I noticed it was cooler. The sun wasn’t shining through the canopy of trees anymore. I looked up to find dark clouds rolling by. “That doesn’t look good.”

  She pulled her phone from her pocket. “It’s two-thirty, we better head back.” Her voice was filled with regret and sadness.

  Why wouldn’t she let me in? Why was she allowing her ex to dictate her future? I’d give her time to heal from her last relationship, but I hoped she’d at least give me her number before I left.

  Chapter Five

  ALLY

  “The winds are really picking up,” Ryker said, walking faster, “and I don’t like the look of those clouds.”

  I had noticed the path was darker, no light was coming through the trees, and when I looked up, dark storm clouds moved quickly across the sky.

  When the first raindrops fell on my nose, Ryker gripped my hand tighter. “Come on. Let’s run. I have a feeling it’s going to be pouring in a second.”

  It was so windy now that if I’d responded he wouldn’t have heard me anyway. I ran as fast as I could to keep up with him. We didn’t slow until we reached my cottage. I unlocked the door with shaky fingers and shut the door behind us. Water dripped off our clothes, leaving a puddle at our feet.