Cupid and Psych (Cupid Inc Book 2)

by Andie M. Long

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  About Andie

  Also by Andie M. Long

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Copyright (c) 2019 by Andrea Long

  All rights reserved.

  Cover by Tammy Clarke at The Graphics Shed. Photo from Adobe Stock.

  This book is dedicated to Den.

  He puts up with a lot.

  Blame Cupid.

  Samara

  “You’re back!”

  I was only half listening to my friend as Ebony took the seat beside me in Jax’s coffee shop. I was too distracted, thinking about all the different ways me and my husband Johnny had made up for the weeks when he’d been a Whippet and when we’d had to spend time apart—it was a long story.

  “I am. Did you miss me?” I beamed at my friend.

  A crease formed between her brows. “I said, ‘you need to watch your back’. One part of your journey to your best life has occurred, but there are still hurdles to jump until you arrive at your final destination.”

  Ebony was a seer, and always coming out with random statements that 90% of the time she couldn’t back up with any advice that was actually helpful.

  “Cheers, Ebs. I’ll bear that in mind. As long as Johnny isn’t having to jump the hurdles, we’ll be okay.”

  “It’s Greyhounds who race, not Whippets, dahling.”

  I stuck out my tongue. “Not true. They do Whippet racing in Yorkshire, so there.”

  She shook her head slowly. “You need to get out more. Although that’s not in your future either.” An evil smirk lit up her face.

  “Ebony Marsden. Explain that comment.” My voice got louder with each word.

  “From fucked to fucked-up.” She said, although in her cut-glass accent, it sounded like farked. Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

  She refused to say anything else.

  Freaking seers.

  “So I was only gone a short while and yet Charlie got married and you got pregnant!” I said to Shelley. Shelley owned Withernsea Dating Agency and was going to be helping my friend, Max, get the ‘Undateables’ side of his Cupid service set up. Both Max and I were on a trial probation. We’d re-graduated Cupid School and were now about to open a branch of Cupid Inc here in Withernsea. Today was Friday and one of my last days of freedom before work started on Monday.

  “I know. I’m not supposed to get pregnant for another hundred years, but Fate decided I should get to experience a whole pregnancy at a normal rate.” Her daughter Charlie had not only been an accelerated pregnancy, but had aged to her twenties within a year, as she had been prophesised, and now was, the Queen of Withernsea.

  “What fun. Sickness, piles, and stretch marks. Good old Fate.” I laughed.

  Shelley rolled her eyes and Ebony sniggered.

  “Well, we’re really happy about it.” Shelley beamed. “Anyway, when is Max getting here? I’ve spoken to him so much on the phone now. I can’t wait to meet him in real life.”

  “Any minute and you’re going to regret saying that.” Max’s confidence in himself was growing daily. He was calling Withernsea his fresh start and his chance to shine.

  The coffee shop door opened, and Max came through it as if it were a stage curtain.

  “Morning, bitches.” He announced. Then he threw a handful of unicorn coloured star confetti in front of him and passed through it. I’d told you he’d called it his chance to shine. He was sparkling with all the freaking glitter.

  “And this is Max.” I announced to their open-mouthed faces. “And you thought you’d seen everything in Withernsea. Tell Charlie her reign as queen is being threatened again.” I told Shelley.

  Max walked over and took everyone’s palm in turn and kissed the back of their hand. Shelley, Ebony, and Jax were already in love with him, I could see it in their expressions. He was adorable. Rather like having a teacup dog dressed in a tutu; except today he’d left his at home. Speaking of pets, the door opened again, and Maisie came in. Maisie was a werecat.

  “Could I have a saucer of milk please?” She asked Jax. Jax’s head swivelled around to the empty counter.

  “Where’s my bloody employee gone now?” She groaned, getting up and going into the back.

  “Trouble with the staff?” I asked Ebony.

  “Bartholomew has a broken heart and Jax keeps finding him sobbing in the bathroom.”

  “Alyssa ditched him?” Alyssa was a werewolf who worked for Ebony in the boutique next door.

  “Yup. She said she was focusing on herself for a while and didn’t want to be tied down at such a young age.”

  Jax came out from the staff area with her arm around one of Bartholomew’s ripped and bulging biceps. I focused my attention on Max’s face.

  “Oh my fuh-kkiinng god. Who is that walking throbbing member?”

  I guffawed with laughter. “That, my friend, is our newly-single barista. But he’s straight, sorry.”

  “Was straight if I get my way. Just my type. Big bushy beard and a groin that’s gonna mean I can’t walk for days.”

  “Quieten down.” I told my overexcited friend.

  “My daughter calls him Sir Loins.” Shelley added. “Because she says he’s a prime bit of beef.”

  “Oh, that is soooo his name from now on. Behind his back of course.”

  Max performed a dramatic hand flounce in the barista’s direction. “Hey, Bart baby, could I get a skinny latte with soy milk? Thanks, boyfriend.”

  Bartholomew glared at Max, who raised both eyebrows.

  “Easy, tiger. I can have real milk if it’s a problem.” Max looked at me. “Dramatic, or what?”

  “No-one calls him Bart.” I informed him. “Because his surname is Simpson.”

  “Well, a heads-up would have been nice, Samara, darling, don’t you agree?” He sighed and then he swivelled his head, looking around the room. “Hey, where did that dark-haired woman go?”

  I pointed to the corner where a black cat was enjoying a saucer of cat milk.

  “The woman is a cat? Aaarrrggh.” Max jumped onto his chair.

  “What on earth is wrong with you now?” I rolled my eyes.

  “You know my feelings on pussy.” He said. Then he laughed loudly and sat back down.

  “Sorry, I just had to do that.” He turned to Shelley. “I’m not like this all the time, honey. I’m just so excited about being here.”

  I mimed behind his back. “All. Of. The. Time.”

  “So you’re Rebecca’s brother?” She asked him.

  “For my sins, yes. Although she has to be nice now. Cupid’s watching her with his new business being here. It has to be a success you see. Cupiding needs to find its new path. Speaking of the new business, have you found me my first
undateable to work on yet?”

  “I have.” Shelley pointed to the cat. “You’ll be working with Maisie. She’s been on my books for a while now, and her dates never end well. We’ve had allergies. She stole one date’s years supply of mackerel fillets from his pantry. The list of disasters is endless.”

  “You’d better give me this guy’s details too. I’m guessing if he keeps a years supply of mackerel, he’s not found his ideal partner either.”

  “Well, just start with Maisie, hey, first? See how you get on. She’s quite a handful, and I don’t mean when she’s furry.”

  “Fabulous. Well, that’s my first victim, I mean client. Now you just need yours.” Max grinned at me.

  “She has one.” Ebony said.

  “No, I don’t.” I protested.

  “Believe me, you do. Just go to work on Monday morning and your client will arrive.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “Yes, you know them.”

  “Who is it?”

  Ebony looked at her watch. “Oh is that the time? I’d better return to my boutique.” She turned to Jax. “Make sure he doesn’t serenade Alyssa today please. It was off-putting to the customers.” She turned to me. “I’ll see you Sunday at the grand opening of your new venture.”

  “Ooh, you’re coming? Great.”

  She covered her mouth with her hand and tittered. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  After enjoying a catch up with my friends, I walked down to the next block where my pet grooming parlour was, ‘Short Bark and Sides’. I did groom any pets booked in by prior appointment, but the business was mainly dog grooming, and the local werewolf pack who were too hairy for a normal barber.

  While I’d been away in London, a lady called India had been brought in by Cupid Inc to look after the place. Luckily for me, she had agreed to stay on. A tall, slim brunette, it was clear to see she enjoyed working with animals. She was a shy, introverted woman who I’d yet to persuade to go and meet everyone at the coffee shop.

  I pushed open the door and saw India was in the washroom with a pampered Pekingese. I stood in the washroom doorway. “Everything been okay?”

  “Yes, thank you. No problems at all. I’ve taken a couple of extra bookings for next week too.”

  My parlour only opened part-time around the bookings. We tried to book in over just three days of a week but could do more if necessary. I’d needed a flexible job to work around Cupiding, although of late I’d not done too much of that. India appeared laid back and happy to do whatever was needed. She struck me as one of those meditative types who did regular yoga and chanted. She smelled like Patchouli oil when she wasn’t smelling like dog shampoo.

  “I’ve been down to the coffee shop. They are still asking when you’re going to pop in.”

  “Oh, I will one day. I’m not a coffee drinker though. Do they do Matcha?”

  “Hmm, not sure. I’ll ask Jax. That building’s better known for matchmaking than matcha, so watch out if you’re single. Ebony will be telling you who you’re destined for and Shelley will try to get you on the books.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “And that’s why you don’t want to go in.” I realised.

  “I’m sure they are lovely people. I’ve said hello to them in passing, but I really like my quiet life and I hate people trying to matchmake me. My parents were like it all the time at home, ‘come and meet whoever’s son’. I’ll find my love when destiny decides.”

  I shivered at the word destiny. That was the name the woman who had recently tried to poison me had assumed, though she was really called Janine.

  “It’s Fate actually who usually decides. I’ve met her. Hopefully she’s finished with me and she can start on you now.”

  India put more shampoo on the Pekingese and began massaging it in. “Withernsea is full of very strange people. I’m a human and I much prefer animals to be honest with you. They’re much less complicated.”

  Not when your husband’s a Whippet, I wanted to add, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want her thinking every client was a human or supe in disguise. She had to take Rescue Remedy to shave the weres as it was.

  “Will you come to the opening of Cupid Inc tomorrow if I promise to look after you and not let any of my friends accost you? You really could do with introducing yourself to the locals. It might drum up some extra business.”

  She bit her lip. “Okay. Just for a small part of it; but if it gets too much for me, I will have to leave.”

  “That’s my girl.” I beamed. The dog grinned at me showing its teeth, thinking the praise was for itself.

  “Did you think I meant you, gorgeous pooch? Did you?”

  The dog shook its body, furiously splashing soap suds all over. Mainly, I’d also take a pet over a human any day. Except my husband, although he’d been cute as a fawn-coloured Whippet. However, he was even cuter as a fair-haired love god. I checked the time on the wall clock.

  Ooh, he’d be home from work soon. Time to get home and get into bed naked ready to welcome him.

  Life was good right now, with no picky parents around and no one trying to harm me. I had my fabulous husband back, a new career, a booming business that I only had to manage now, and my amazing friends around me.

  “Thanks, Fate.” I muttered in case she could hear me. “And if you’re not busy, India might need a helping hand.”

  Fate

  Usually I wouldn’t have picked up on Samara’s murmurings as I’d have moved on, but of course my plans for her were not finished. She needn’t have worried; India was already in my sights and she was going to surprise them all.

  But now I just needed to wait until the little surprise I had for Samara made itself known. I was sure it wouldn’t be much longer…

  Jessica

  There were two one-bedroomed apartments above the new Cupid Inc building, and I’d taken one, Max the other. I stood outside my car in the car park behind the new Cupid Inc premises. It was packed to the roof with my belongings. Here was my home and my employment for the foreseeable future. The truth was, I was excited to start something new. Yes, I would miss counselling the students at Cupid School, but I expected this new role would be a lot more interesting… and a lot further away from my ex-husband.

  Leaving everything in the car for now, I walked to the back entrance and unlocked the door that housed the staircase leading up to my new home. The inside smelled of fresh paint and newly laid carpet and I breathed it in.

  New beginnings.

  I was a psychologist and was here to assist my friends Samara and Max with their new ventures for Cupid Inc. It was important these probation periods were a success as Cupid would then roll the businesses out elsewhere.

  I had Cupid on speed dial given he was my ex-father-in-law.

  It was the big secret no one could know about.

  A divorce in Cupid’s direct family line.

  An embarrassment of the family name.

  He could take that right to the door of his son. He was the one who put his career first and stopped giving a damn about us. Anyway, new beginnings, I reminded myself, unlocking the door.

  The apartment was furnished in creams and taupe’s and given I was only paying a nominal rent; it was exquisitely decorated. I should have known my ex-father-in-law wouldn’t just give me the basics. I flopped down onto the sumptuous black couch which moulded to my body and I laid back and sighed.

  The truth was, I wasn’t over my ex.

  I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

  But you couldn’t make someone love you if they didn’t want to.

  Shaking myself from my stupor, I made myself get back up and check out the rest of the place and then I started the process of bringing my belongings into my new home.

  “Hey, roomie!” Max shouted through my partially opened doorway.

  I smiled at him. “Come on in.”

  He walked through looking around. “Very nice.” He said, “My walls are purple. They know me so well.�
��

  He took a seat on the sofa without being asked. “You should have come to Jax’s. They’re a great crowd. How lucky that they get to hang there every day. It’s a little too far from us here.”

  “We can buy Jax’s blend and we have a coffee pot in the office.” I reassured him. “Also there’s an ice-cream parlour a few doors down called Jetty’s, and next door to that is a sandwich shop with seating called ‘Tasty Bites’ which apparently is new.”

  “Really? Oh my.” Max patted his stomach. “We’re in trouble, fella. Big trouble. So how do you know all this? You only just got here.”

  “I procrastinated unpacking for over an hour and walked down the street. Then of course, the arcade around the corner sells chips and waffles.”

  Max took out his mobile and furiously pressed his keypad. “That’s my reminder for in three months to book in for a gastric band.”

  I smiled. “So are you all unpacked then?”

  “If unpacked is having thrown all my belongings in the living room then yes I’ve unpacked.” He shrugged. “I’ll just unpack as I need things. I met Shelley, she’s so lovely. Oh and I have my first victim already.”

  “Will you stop calling them that. You’re going to be saying it to their face.” I shook my head at him. “Now give me the details.”

  “She’s called Maisie and she’s a werecat. Pretty thing. Black.”

  “I thought you didn’t rate women, and also watch out commenting on skin colour; it shouldn’t be relevant.”

  He threw his head back on the sofa and emited a dramatic sigh. “I meant she was a pretty black cat.”

  “Oh.”