He didn’t seemto mind, though, since he came here so often.
“You were theone who suggested this Love Bites website in the first place.”
“Yes, which I’mbeginning to regret.”
Shecontemplated for a moment. Now she really wanted to suss out thetalent on the dating agency. “Okay, I’ll make you a deal. You signup too, and the first one to find love cooks a full-on roast dinnerwith all the trimmings—although, if I lose, I refuse to put my handup a chicken’s arse. Veggie roast for me.”
He threw backhis head and laughed. “You, cooking? Now that I’d like tosee. You’re on.”
ChapterTwo
Caleb shook hishead in despair, already doubting his sanity over going along withEvie’s roast dinner wager but knowing full well he’d do anythingshe asked.
For the life ofhim, he had no idea why he’d suggested the dating agency in thefirst place.
Yes, he wantedto see her happy, and maybe at one point in their relationship,some part of him had wanted her to find that happiness with him,but it could never be. He’d found a good friend in Evie despitetheir many differences, and he would not risk their friendshipunder any circumstances. Not to mention he was her teacher andwould not fail the Powers That Be who’d put their trust in him.
He took hisphone from her and filled in his details, then created apassword.
Evie brought upthe website on her phone and tapped the screen for several seconds.“Okay, I’ve created an account and a password, but I’ve only signedup for a month—it’s all I can afford right now. Let’s getbrowsing.”
He laughed ather enthusiasm.
She scrolledthe profile pictures. “O.M.G! This guy is gooorgeous!”
“Where? Let mesee.” Caleb peeked over her shoulder. “A Fae? Some of them are niceenough people, but they can be quite manipulative when they wantsomething, and a bit on the vain side, too.”
“There’snothing wrong with that. Just look at him.” Evie waved herhand in front of her face like a fan. “It says he’s into sci-fimovies and walks in the woods. Bit of an unusual combination, but Ican go with it.”
Anuncomfortable prickling sensation crept over Caleb’s skin. The Faewasn’t anywhere near as good looking as she was making out.
He pressed hislips. Two could play at that game.
After scrollingthrough several images on his phone, he stopped on a mermaid;reasonably attractive, he supposed, except her hair was putridgreen. He preferred tousled, flaxen hair like that of the would-beangel sat beside him, along with her chipped black nail varnish andchunky, knee-high boots that dangled through the railings.
She sidewaysglanced at his choice. “A mermaid? She might smell of fish.”
“I likefish.”
Evie showed aninterest in a couple more profiles, a vampire and a half-dragon.“Hmm, it’s asking me to fill in a profile,” she told him. “What doI put?”
He frowned ather choices. “How do I know? Be honest.”
“You’re soold-fashioned, Caleb. Do you really think anyone is honest on thesethings?”
“Put whateveryou want then, but I’m being honest on mine.”
“If you’retrying to make me feel guilty, it’s not working.”
“Nothingfurther from my mind.”
“Don’t lie,Caleb, you’re rubbish at it.”
“So whathappens now?” he asked, randomly noting a banshee and anotherangel.
Right on cue, apopup window appeared with a picture of a woman wearing aheadset.
He read thewords in the speech bubble. Hi, I’m Jamie, your Love Bitescoach. How can I help you today?
Caleb typed,Hello, can you tell me what I have to do, please?
Three movingdots appeared. Jamie is typing.
He waited.
Hello,Caleb. I’m here to help you find your perfect match. Please fill inyour profile, and we can get started.
Next, up poppedthe registration fees, with various options.
He signed upfor one month, the shortest time.
Jamie’s speechbubble appeared again. Thank you for joining Love Bites. Findthe magic in love.
He cringed.
Please upload arecent picture to your profile, too. When you’ve done that, you cansend someone a message by clicking on their profile pic. Don’tforget to check the red ‘messages’ button on the top right of yourscreen. When someone clicks on your profile, their message willappear in your inbox. All messages are private andconfidential.
Okay, gotit. Thanks.
Evie read overhis shoulder. She typed in the process on her phone, then smiledinto the screen. Flash. The phone camera clicked.
He took herlead and did the same, his pose a tad cheesy, but what did he knowabout how people went about going on a date these days? In his day,things were so much easier. He understood things changed, and hehad to move with the times, but it didn’t make it any lessconfusing.
Once again, hedespaired at what he’d got himself into. He wasn’t even interestedin finding someone.
Ting!
Evie looked ather phone and screeched. “Wow, that was quick. The Fae sent me amessage.”
Ting.
Ting!
His phone thistime. Surprised, he tapped the red ‘messages’ button. Both themermaid and the banshee had messaged him. “What do these people do,sit on their phones all day? It’s a bit desperate, isn’t it?”
Ting. Ting!
Evie laughed.“Clearly. That’s me again. Three messages. How many have messagedyou?”
“Two. Likeyou’re not counting.”
She nudged hisshoulder, a clown-sized grin on her face. “Me? Never.”
A spot of rainlanded on his cheek. Caleb looked to the sky, noting the cloudssweeping across the full moon. A storm was brewing; he could feelit in the air, a heaviness as certain as the pride in his heart atbeing bestowed the honour of teaching and nurturing would-beangels, like Evie, to become amazing. Not that Evie wasn’t alreadyamazing.
Evie tappedaway at her phone, presumably replying to the messages. He didn’tpeek.
“I think I’llcall it a night, Evie.” He slipped his legs out of the railings andthen stood and brushed his trousers down. “Thanks for thewine.”
Evie finishedtyping into her phone and stood too. “You’re welcome. Thanks forthe pizza. How about we meet up next week and share our experiencesin the big bad world of dating?”
“Nothing I’dlike better. Good luck with finding another job.”
“I’m sure I’llfind something equally as crappy.”
She pecked hischeek, and he smiled. “Bye, Evie.” Caleb rolled his shoulders,extended his wings and soared into the night.
“Bye, Caleb,”she called, her soft voice whipped away by the wind.
Caleb breathedin through his nostrils, savouring the chill in the
