Chapter 21

AUDREY

The cupids woke up early to gather in the game room, wasting no time to begin strategising and making small changes to the plan, the King brothers joined us a little later, adding their own input and suggestions.

The coffee shop would open up again today and we knew that Emma would go to see her crush. Of course, we had a plan to get them together but I know that I would follow my own plan. It was nine in the morning and unlike last time, since we thankfully had the plans completed, we ended after half an hour to get breakfast.

The rest of the family joined us in small groups, spending the morning bonding and watching TV. By the time lunch rolled around we waited, the others unknowing to the suspense that was building up as the minutes passed and eventually we got our signal.

"I'm heading out, I'll be back before dinner." Emma was responded with a chorus of okay before we heard the door close.

At this sound the cupids and the King brother's dashed up and got ready, driving to the town and entering the cafe as inconspicuously as we could, taking a table near the back corner, Jackson taking one for the team and going up to order our drinks and snacks.

We observed Emma like some weird stalkers, noting how she went on her phone, stared out the window and she even took out a book to read, my mother and Margo squealed when the waiter came over to her table to set down her food. They talked a little then he walked away to return to the till, Emma glanced up before quickly looking down at her phone, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh she so likes him, it couldn't be more obvious," uncle Matthew commented, a snicker escaping my lips.

We waited a little longer, finishing our drinks and snacks, making sure Emma didn't leave.

"Okay Margo, ready?" My mother asked, initiating the first step.

My sister nodded and went up to the till acting nervous and talking to the same waiter before returning back. "He's single."

"Great okay, we need to wait ten minutes until step two," Jackson declared, slamming a fist into his open palm.

"Look at you getting into this, maybe Audrey should have added you to her team when she was cupid."

"She should have," he replied, throwing a cheeky smile my way.

"Like you could be on Audrey's team, you doofus." Sebastian retorted.

"Excuse you I'd do very well on Audrey's team, isn't that right Audrey?"

I took a sip of my tea before responding. "...I have no comment."

"Audrey, I thought we were friends." He clasped a hand over his heart, pretending to wipe away his tears with the other.

After ten minutes had passed we saw the waiter collecting Emma's plate, they chatted for a while before a woman passed by them and commented that they look good together, leaving before they could reply and walking to our table.

"Thanks, Ella, I really appreciate your help." My mother slid a plate with a brownie on it towards her as she sat down beside her.

"No problem, always happy to help." Ella was my mother's friend in high school and was part of her team in the Cupid's Database, she and her family moved here and my mother meets up with her every year.

We observed a bit longer before we heard Margo's phone go off. "Ah, right on time." We saw Emma get up and leave, taking that as our cue to leave as well.

"Audrey, you coming?" Matthew asked, almost out the door.

I shook my head. "I'll meet you back at the cabin, I have a couple of things to get from here."

I went up to the till and gave my order to the waitress at the till. "Oh, I love those brownies, good choice."

"It is, any recommendations?" I asked her. She was a tall built woman, long wavy hair with a side shave and it looked like the sleeves of her shirt could burst any second when she crossed her arms.

"Highly recommend the red velvet cake, it's a personal favourite."

"I remember my cousin Emma mentioning it, I can't remember if she mentioned the cafe name but considering this is the only place that has it I'm assuming it was from here.

"Emma? She's the woman who comes here often, I see her every winter." She remarked.

"Oh? Have you worked here long?" I asked.

"Worked here since it opened, I mean, I'm the owner so I have no choice," She chuckled.

"Interesting, I have a proposition and I'm sure you would be interested."

"Uh, I'm not...selling this place," She commented sheepishly.

"It's not a business proposition," I replied, sending her a wink.

She paused for a moment before gesturing for me to follow her.

SEBASTIAN

Audrey needed to get something so I went back with Jackson and Matthew, I sat in the back while they talked about their wives. They broke the conversation before I made eye contact with Matthew in the rear-view mirror.

"So Sebastian, how's it going with you and Audrey?"

"It's going really well." I nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer.

"Oh? Is that why you looked so happy when you came into the cafe the other day?" He questioned, Jackson leaned around the seat to show me a shocked face.

"Well, I suppose so, yes." I wasn't lying I guess.

"Are you sure? Or was it that pretty little bag stashed away in a bigger bag."

"What are you talking about?" My brother asked.

I groaned but I answered nevertheless. "Yes, it was because of that. I didn't think anyone saw it."

"Ooh, can we see it, can we see it?" he asked with child-like excitement.

Scene change to me showing them the box, earning the oohs and aahs.

"This is so pretty, Audrey will love it," Matthew remarked, looking entranced.

"Good job, who knew my brother could ever have enough intelligence to get something like that?"

"Oh shut up Jackson, I swear I will grab a round brush and go to town with your hair." I threatened, shutting the box.

At this Jackson threw his hands up to his head, fear taking over him. "Oh, God, not the round brush."

"Why are you afraid of a round brush?" Matthew asked.

We heard the call for dinner so I quickly explained on our way down, the dining room being signalled of our arrival by Matthew's booming laughs. We took our place at the table, a lot of confused and questioning looks our way.

"Why are you all so giddy today?" Audrey asked, suspicion laced in her voice.

"No reason," Jackson answered abruptly, "no reason at all."

After dinner, the matchmaking party met up again to go through the rest of the plan to be carried out tomorrow night.

"Okay, so we all know what we're doing and our roles?" Margo asked, all of us nodding in response. "Okay, let's set a couple up."