“I don’t think it matters.” Luke’s voice sounded assured.
“You have an idea?”
“I do.” He took a sip of tea, then tapped the table for emphasis as he began to speak. “You just said the winners of The Cupid Caper are ultimately determined by popular vote, right?”
Amanda nodded. “It’s high school. Everything is ultimately determined by popular vote.”
Luke shrugged. “Then it’s simple.”
“What’s simple?”
“Winning.”
“You sound like Charlie Sheen.”
Luke threw an exaggerated scowl across the table. “No. I’m not crazy, and there’s no tiger blood in my tea. We just have to be the most popular couple in the school. If we can convince the kids to vote for us instead of one of their own, we can sign over that car lease to Violet. It’s the perfect plan.”
It wasn’t a bad plan. Except for one minor detail. “But what about the other teacher who was signed up for The Cupid Caper?”
“What about them? Now that Pantego’s out, they don’t stand a chance.”
“Yeah, but what if we’re not matched together? What if you were matched to Katelyn and I was matched to the other guy?”
A slow grin cracked Luke’s face. She could see each tooth clearly in the glow from the cheap candle.
“Doesn’t matter. We have three days. By the time that dance rolls around Friday night, no one at Port Provident High will be able to think of any other Cupid contestant.”
Amanda’s pulse began to bounce like a bumble bee going from one pollen-filled flower to the next. She’d been carrying around a secret crush on Luke for so long that she had to pinch herself that Luke’s plan was all an act, a carefully choreographed three days designed to ultimately help a student. When the weekend came, Amanda would go back to teaching the world’s greatest love stories—without actually living one herself—and Luke would go back to packing his boxes for the STEM Academy.
Unless…
“’All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’,” Amanda quoted as a thought occurred to her. “’They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts’.”
“Your boy Will S. again, right?” Luke picked up on the time-worn verse.
“Yes, the monologue from the melancholy Jaques in As You Like It.”
“What do you like?” Will settled his strong chin into the palm of his hand and looked at her with a gaze she couldn’t quite place. It made a tingle stronger than February’s crisp wind dance down her spine. She liked the way the tingle made her feel aware and alive.
She could imagine why Shakespeare or one of the other great poets wanted to capture this essence in words, to remember it always.
“I like your idea. Helping Violet like that, I mean.” She liked the tingle too, but she didn’t want to let on about that.
Luke didn’t move. “What about me?”
“What do you mean what about you?” The spark and crackle effervescing its way through her veins started to pop like so many oversized bubbles.
“Me. Do you like me?”
The popping reached her cheeks and started to heat them with a blush. “Well, um, sure. But I mean, I don’t really know you.”
Ineloquent answers like this were why Amanda knew she’d never have a poetry-worthy romance. There would be no love like a red, red rose. No comparing to a summer’s day. No how do I love thee, let me count the ways.
It was so much easier for her to teach the classic stories of love. Because goodness knew no Romeo would risk a run-in with Capulet kin for an answer like that.
“You’re going to have to do better than that. Take two. Do you like me?”
Now the fizz and crackle began to give way to a slippery nervous sensation at the base curve of her stomach. She couldn’t even think of a witty retort taken from one of the masters of literature. She would have to have to answer this on her own.
But she was completely put on the spot. How could Amanda answer honestly without blurting out that she’d had a crush on Luke for two years?’
“You sat in front of me at your first staff meeting. I don’t think I paid attention to any of the presentations.”
Amanda felt a strange combination of mortification and freedom. She felt completely embarrassed to expose herself like that to Luke. But at the same time, relief flowed from not having to keep her secret to herself.
She held her breath for a moment, waiting at the conversational fork in the road. She needed to know Luke’s reaction so she could know if she would have to feel awkward around him, now that he knew her secret or not.
“Much better. That’s a good story. I’m pretty impressed that you made that up on the fly.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “I think that will be very convincing.”
Wait. Convincing?
Luke continued. “So go with that, starting tomorrow. We’ll be so over the top that everyone will have to vote for us.”
At that moment, the waiter brought their dinner. They continued to make small talk and plans for the next few days. Luke had some good ideas and Amanda found herself laughing at some of the scenarios he wanted to carry out. Some she talked him out of. Others, she added her own two cents on.
But as she listened to the object of her multi-year crush talk about acting in love for the remainder of the week, Amanda began to wonder if maybe it didn’t have to be an act.
Maybe she could use the cover of The Cupid Caper to overcome her inhibitions and show Luke how she’d really felt the last two years.
And maybe, just maybe, when it was all over, he’d want to keep playing the part…this time for real.
She’d need to swallow her pride and her recent protests, and enlist the best actress she knew, one time Broadway understudy and the queen of the Port Provident High School stage, Lisa Fleming.
Lisa would help her best friend out—heck she practically begged Amanda to send a note to Luke for The Cupid Caper. She’d be smug, in that way only Lisa could be, but she’d also turn cartwheels to help her friend. Like all thespians, Lisa had a big heart and an even bigger penchant for making the moment count.
The waiter sat a square of tiramisu, dusted with a spray of cocoa powder, in front of Amanda.
“Where did that come from?”
Luke speared his own slice almost as soon as it materialized in front of him. “I told you—ok, I told everyone—that it was great. I took the liberty of ordering you a slice while you were in the restroom earlier. Consider it my first gift to my new girlfriend.”
Just for a moment, Amanda shoved aside the knowledge that to Luke, this was all an act. A means to an end.
She savored the idea of an unexpected romantic gesture from a suitor, like Romeo calling under Juliet’s window. This was how it happened in all the best love stories.
“In that case, thank you, my dear.” She smiled sweetly back at Luke, thinking of the phone call she was about to make to Lisa to get started on a Cupid-inspired plan of her own. It made her a little nervous. She’d never been this bold before.
But she had one big chance. She needed to take it.
She needed to write her own story.
If all the world was a stage, well, Amanda Marsh decided to make her debut in the spotlight.
THE CUPID CAPER
Chapter Four
“Oh my goodness, you scared me.”
The lights in Amanda’s room were on, but Luke couldn’t see where the voice was coming from. “Lisa, is that you?”
“Yeah. Luke?”
He saw a figure stand up from behind the desk.
“Correct.”
“Oh my gosh, what on earth is that?” Lisa’s shriek broke the pre-bell silence. The school wouldn’t actually open to students for another fifteen minutes. But anyone within a ten mile radius probably just heard Lisa.
“Cupig. What’s it look like?” Luke stuck his head out from behind the life-sized stuffed pig, complete with wings, diap
er, and glittery gold bow and arrow. “I think he’s going to look great at the desk.”
“Cupig. Oh my goodness gracious.” Lisa patted the angelic porker on his hamburger-sized nose. “But why?”
“The Cupid Caper. Haven’t you heard? Amanda’s my Cupid Crush.”
Lisa nodded her head. “I heard something about that.”
May as well start the campaign now. Every person he convinced of his true love for Amanda could help convince someone else. And then that vote for Violet’s car would be in the bag.
“The Cupid Caper really came at the perfect time. You know, I’m leaving soon for the STEM Academy. But now I can do something special for Amanda before I go.”
Lisa stood back against the wall, holding something behind her. “Really?”
“You don’t think Cupig is too much, do you?” He carried the pig back to its new place of honor in Amanda’s chair, then scooted Cupig up to the desk.
Lisa dropped the bag she’d been holding on the floor, then gave it a quick kick under the table. It was just a simple plastic bag from a grocery store, but she’d tied the handles together like bunny ears and Luke couldn’t get any idea of what was inside.
“Well, it certainly seems you’ve gone…um…whole hog.”
“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? I mean, she teaches poetry and love stories. Wouldn’t she love to be swept off her feet?”
Lisa’s oversized silver loop earrings bounced as she nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes she would.”
Luke had an idea. Maybe he didn’t need to just convince Lisa. She was one of the most popular teachers in the school—everyone loved the feisty drama teacher. If he got her on his side, that would definitely be worth votes. “So, you two are friends. What else should I do?”
“Well, I’m not sure how you top that.” Lisa pointed squarely at the porcine Valentine watching their every move. “But she’s definitely a girly girl. Hearts, flowers, all that jazz. She loves love.”
“She’s not dating anyone, right?” It had just occurred to Luke that he probably ought to find this one out. Granted, he figured she would have mentioned it last night when he started scheming. But the last thing Luke needed was an angry boyfriend challenging Cupig—or him—to a fight behind the bleachers.
“No, she’s not.” Lisa looked at Cupig, then turned her eyes on Luke with a flash of fire. “I meant what I said. She’s in love with love. She doesn’t date much because she has high expectations, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. She wants someone who makes her feel special. And I want someone who won’t take advantage of a woman with a very sweet heart who would do anything for someone she cares about—whether that’s a student, a friend, or someone who could mean something more.”
Luke started to respond, but Lisa held up both of her hands, stopping him before he even got out a syllable.
“The Cupid Caper may be geared toward high school students. But my best friend’s heart isn’t child’s play. I expect you to treat her right.”
Her ultimatum made Luke want to clear the air and explain that it was all an act, a carefully-scripted few days designed to benefit a student both he and Amanda admired. He knew he wasn’t going to hurt Amanda—she was in on it. He didn’t want Lisa worrying about her best friend, either.
But he knew the best way to win the contest was to have Lisa fully bought in. He needed her to believe that this particular Cupid Caper was real.
“Of course I will.” He could at least answer that honestly. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt Amanda. He’d gotten to know her more in the last two days than he had in the last two years. He liked her copper hair, her concern for her students, and how she always seemed to have the perfect literary quote up her sleeve.
The Cupid Caper would just be temporary, but he knew his newfound admiration of the English teacher would stay with him.
“Good. As long as you’re more Cupig than stereotypic pig, I think we’ll be fine.” Lisa walked across the room, heading toward the door as she spoke. “You know, she’s a great girl with a big heart. She deserves the best. No games.”
After Lisa left, Luke stood alone in the center of Amanda’s class for a moment. The walls were covered with educational posters bearing the portraits of the world’s greatest writers, projects created by her students, and one giant sign for The Cupid Caper.
Luke thought for a minute about what Lisa said on her way out the door.
She’s a great girl with a big heart.
Anyone who walked in this classroom could see that clearly. Amanda Marsh loved literature, loved her students.
As someone who loved the subject he taught and the students he taught it to, he suddenly felt a pull of connection to Amanda he hadn’t previously noticed before. The last time he’d been in this classroom with her, he’d felt an undeniable physical attraction to her.
Now, though, he seemed to notice a bit more.
No games.
He remembered flicking that envelope of poetry in his trash can yesterday with a feeling of smug superiority. He thought he was far too analytical for something as silly as The Cupid Caper. But then he’d found a reason to play along.
Luke stared at the oversized pink rectangle on the wall with the badly-drawn picture of Cupid adorning the top left corner. He didn’t want to play games.
He wanted to win.
Not a car.
He wanted to win Amanda Marsh’s heart.
Ever since she’d walked in the door to see a giant stuffed animal named Cupig seated behind her desk, Amanda had walked around with a smile on her face. She didn’t remember a time when she’d ever felt this upbeat about a relationship.
Or an un-relationship.
She knew where Luke stood. He had a plan and a goal. She supported the goal. It was noble. It would change Violet’s life to have the tools necessary to go to the STEM Academy. Amanda had finished reviewing Violet’s essay during her planning period today. It was exactly as she expected: smart, well-written, and an overall polished effort. Between her strong grades, Luke’s mentorship on the application, and the short feature on what being an inaugural student at the STEM Academy would mean to her, Amanda felt confidently assured that Violet would earn a place at the Academy.
And so that just left the question of transportation. Luke seemed certain that they could win the big prize at Friday night’s dance.
Which meant Amanda would continue to play along. Luke would never know her actions were the real deal.
She thought about Cupig and how pleasant it had been to start the morning with the gift of his smiling pink face. She’d always wanted surprises and romance in a relationship.
But now she wanted one more thing.
Certainty.
The certainty that Luke would still be there after Friday. Luke had his plan. She had hers.
And so, after the final bell had rung for the day, Amanda made it a priority to take the back stairs up to the science hallway and head for Luke’s lab.
Luke faced his computer and didn’t notice Amanda as she walked in the door.
Time to be bold, Amanda. It starts now.
If Luke wanted over-the-top Cupid-worthy affection, he was going to get it.
She summoned her inner Juliet, filled up with enough courage to tell off an entire hall of Capulets.
And then she ran.
Partly because it seemed like what Juliet would do if she saw Romeo after a long day.
But mostly because the quicker she committed to the course of action, the less time she had to talk herself out of it.
“What the…”
Luke spun around in his chair as Amanda wrapped her arms around his chest once her feet carried her close enough. The sudden turn of the stool-height chair knocked Amanda’s balance off kilter and her right ankle got twisted behind her left.
She felt the fall begin, a type of slow motion that left her entirely cognizant of the details. She could see her mortification coming like a locomotive about to plow into an obj
ect on the tracks.
What she couldn’t see, until it was too late to do anything but try to fling herself out of the way, was that by not releasing her arms instantly, she was taking Luke down with her.
The chair tumbled and the metal frame hit the cheap linoleum floor with a loud crash. Amanda rolled one way and Luke landed on his bicep and rolled the other. Amanda pushed herself up on her right arm and looked around. As Luke raised himself, she smiled.
“Um…hi?”
He scratched the side of his head, just over his ear. She’d never noticed what a precise haircut he had before. The dark edge of the hair curved perfectly and evenly over the ear, then trailed to a spot about one-third of the way down his neck, where it stopped with a clean, sharp edge and raced across the skin in a ruler-straight line.
She’d never noticed it before, but she wasn’t surprised that even Luke’s haircut would be organized and orderly. Just like everything else in his life.
Amanda began to second-guess herself. Maybe she had the wrong idea. Maybe she was a spastic square peg trying to force herself into the round hole of Luke’s life.
She thought of the opening lines of O’Shaughnessy’s Ode: “We are the music makers/And we are the dreamers of dreams.” Aside from the fact that she had no musical ability, she’d always felt a kinship to those lines. No one would ever deny she was a dreamer of dreams.
As they both sat on the floor, downed chair between them, Amanda took a hard look at Luke. She saw the short, even-edged hair, the dark blue eyes beneath a straight brow with a touch of heaviness, the chiseled lines of his jaw and a well-muscled torso that could only be attributed to hours of work in a gym, not luck.
She choreographed dances, expression set to music. Luke choreographed his entire life, down to how he was going to win a high school contest.
“Hi.” He looked at her a little sheepishly, as though he was still trying to figure out exactly what had just happened. “You wanted to talk to me?”
“I wanted to thank you for Cupig. He’s adorable.” Amanda stood up and brushed her hands down the front of her lightweight wool pants to smooth them.
The Cupid Caper Page 5