Surviving her first ever speed dating experience is top of Savanna's list? Can she survive meeting Cupid too?
This story was contributed by Rebecca-Jade

I hate my friends.

It'll be fun, they said.

Nothing will go wrong, they promised.

They had clearly never met Sebastian Reynolds. Or Tristen Lowes. Or Daniel Lightfoot for that matter. All desperate to impress and here for one thing and one thing only; to find love.

"What do you do for a living?" asked Sebastian–or rather Seb after he so kindly insisted I call him by his shortened name.

"I'm an accountant," I replied. "You?"

"Oh my God, same! It's fate!"

I drank from my wine glass to hide the grimace forming on my face.

"Do you believe in all that?" I asked. "Fate?"

He nodded and I feared his head would fall off from the sheer force in which he did so. I pictured it detaching from his shoulders, rolling to the floor and stopping just before my feet.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

"Do you?"

NO!

"Yeah..."

He smiled, showcasing a perfect set of teeth.

"So, any siblings?"

Thankfully, the buzzer sounded, signalling the end of our time together. I didn't feel comfortable telling this man I'd known for all of five minutes about my family. Then again, nothing about this setup was comfortable.

"Thank you, Savanna. It was lovely chatting to you."

Did he just thank me?

"You too."

Neither of us offered up our phone number and for that, I was grateful. I'd already gone through the ordeal of telling Tristen thanks but no thanks.

What a fucking disaster!

I watched Seb's retreating form and whilst bracing myself for whoever was next, I shot a quick message to my friends on Whatsapp.

Savanna_xo: SOS! This is a disaster!!!

Freddie._.Freaks: Why?

Savanna_xo: It just is!

Freddie._.Freaks: Have you accidently flashed your tits?

Savanna_xo: No.

Freddie._.Freaks: Joined a cult?

Savanna_xo: No.

Freddie._.Freaks: Pissed your pants?"

Savanna_xo: NO!

Freddie._.Freaks: Then it's going exactly as it should.

XxJuliaxX: Just relax, babe. Speed dating is supposed to be a fun experience and it will be if you embrace it.

"Hi."

The gruff undertones of a man's voice forced my gaze upwards, rendering me incapable of replying to Freddie and Julia. Slate-grey eyes met my ocean blue's, stealing my very breath.

Fuck!

Elegantly carved, this man's face was both immaculate and flawed in the most bizarre way possible. His slightly misshapen nose told me he'd broken it a few times, perhaps playing rugby? His physique would certainly suggest he was into sport. And sandy blonde, almost caramel hair sat tussled atop his gorgeous head, perfectly unbrushed.

"Hi, I'm Savanna."

He took a seat, still maintaining eye contact. "Cupid"

"Excuse me?"

"My name," he explained. "is Cupid."

I laughed. "Seriously?"

He nodded.

"Your parents called you Cupid?"

"Yeah."

"Like..." I paused. "Willingly?"

He chuckled. "Would you like me to call them and confirm?"

I shook my head, suddenly very aware of how rude I was being. "Sorry, it's just an unusual name."

"Like Savanna?" he replied, catching me off guard.

"I suppose you're right."

"Only, whereas my parents named me after the God of love, yours named you after a patch of woodland. So, I guess if we're having a debate about who has the shittiest parents..."

"Touché," I offered, flicking my chestnut hair over my shoulder.

I sat up straighter in my seat, feeling a little sweaty under the armpits.

"So, I suppose I better start with the usual. What do you do for a living, Savanna?"

The way he said my name was incredible. Like music to my ears.

"I'm an accountant," I explained. "I work for a premium fashion brand and manage their finances."

Why I was trying to sound more impressive was beyond me? I hadn't given Seb this much detail, so why the hell was Cupid entitled to it?

Fucking Cupid...

"That's great," he offered, seeming genuine.

"What about you?"

He reclined in his chair, forcing the material of his navy blue shirt to pull across his stomach.

Mother of all six packs!

"I design dating apps."

"No you don't!" I accused.

He smirked. "It's true."

"Really?"

A casual shrug followed. "What else was I supposed to do with a name like Cupid? Construction?"

"You have the body for it," I blurted out, dying a slow death inside.

Did I really just say that?

He laughed.

"So..." Change the subject! "You design dating apps and are single yourself?"

"Me in a nutshell," he prided.

And what a fine nutshell he is!

"Can I ask you a serious question?" I enquired.

He smiled. "Sure."

"Do you actually think these things work? Meeting someone and within five minutes, giving them your number?"

"I don't see why it shouldn't work..."

Hmm?

"Don't you?" he asked, quirking a brow.

I shook my head. "Not really."

He looked pleasantly surprised. Perhaps even amused?

"Let me guess...your friends made you come here tonight?"

I smiled.

"Because you're reaching your late twenties and it's absolutely unacceptable to be single at this age."

I laughed. "Something like that."

"I figured."

"And why are you here?" I asked. "Research?"

He sat up and in doing so, accidentally knocked his knee into mine. It was an innocent move but the shock of his touch sent charges through my entire body.

"The same reason as everyone else."

"Which is..."

"An ego boost."

"You really think these men are here for an ago boost?" I asked, looking towards a group of well-groomed models.

I struggled to see it.

"You see the guy in the red shirt?" he asked, giving me a moment to locate said guy. "His wife just left him."

"Do you know him?"

He shook his head. "If you look at his left hand, you'll see an indentation where a wedding ring once sat. It's still quite noticeable meaning he recently took it off. And that shirt he's wearing is at least five years old judging by its worn-out state."

"Which means?"

"He's been out of the dating game for a while. Perhaps this is even his first night out since his wife up and left."

"How do you know he didn't leave her?" I asked, edging closer to his face.

I could feel his hot breath on my cheek.

"Gut feeling."

I said nothing as we gazed at each other, truly captivated. He kept me prisoner with those cold, yet welcoming eyes of his and once again, his knee knocked into mine. Only this time, it was intentional. His smirk said as much.

"Mohawk guy to my left. You see him?" he questioned, side-glancing the table next to us.

I nodded.

"He's been coming to these things for weeks. He can't flirt for shit."

I let slip an unattractive snort.

"And the man sat at the bar refusing to join in..."

"I see him," I confirmed.

"He's supporting his friend."

"Why does his friend need supporting?" I asked, fully intrigued.

How he knew all of this, I'd never know.

"Today marks a year and one month since his fiancé died and it's his first time dating again."

My eyes went wide. "Who's his friend?"

I looked around the room, trying to locate a dishevelled man. A man whose will and heart looked broken.

"Me."

I brought my attention back to the table and dropped my hand into his without thinking. His skin was warm. Smooth. And as both of us looked down towards our tangled fingers, the reality of the situation dawned on us.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," I apologised, pulling my hand away.

"You didn't," he insisted, reaching forward to hold it again.

Wow!

His thumb caressed my knuckles, rough callouses catching on my skin. Hard against soft. Rough against gentle. Him against me.

Buzz!

NO!

"Times up, ladies and gents. Move along."

I looked towards the event organiser and cursed his name under my breath.

"I guess this is goodbye," stated Cupid, gently leaving go of my hand.

No, no, no!

"Go easy on mohawk guy, yeah?"

I smiled. "I'll try."

I watched him walk away, too engrossed in the action to see mohawk guy approach.

"Hey."

"H-hi," I attempted, still a little dazed.

"I'm Kris with a K," he shared, holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Kris. I'm Savanna."

We shook.

"Savanna with an S?" he joked.

I laughed, despite not finding it funny.

"First time at one of these things?" he asked, looking around the room.

I followed his gaze and caught Cupid sneaking a glance. Without thinking, I shot him a smile and felt a blush creep up my neck after doing so. Thankfully, he returned it with one of his own before reverting his attention to the woman opposite.

"Yeah. You?"

"Nah. I come to them often. Never find what I'm looking for though."

"Don't you ever get sick of trying?" I asked.

He simply smiled. "I never know when I'm going to meet the love of my life. What if I give up the day before I'm supposed to meet her."

True!

"That's fair," I replied, looking towards Cupid again.

He was listening intently to what the woman opposite was saying but that certainly didn't stop him from looking over. When he smirked, I couldn't help but do it back.

"You like him."

"Excuse me?"

Kris smiled. "The guy ahead of me. I saw you holding hands."

I shrugged.

"Why didn't you give him your number?"

Because I'm afraid of commitment!

"I don't know," I shared, sheepishly.

I looked towards the ground, feeling disappointed in myself. I never did things on impulse and led a pretty dull life because of it. Imagine the amount colour a man like Cupid could interject into it? If only I was brave enough to admit I liked him.

"Wait just a sec," stated Kris, standing up.

He strutted towards Cupid's table, confidence in full swing. "Sorry to interrupt..."

What the hell is he doing?!

"I'm actually related to the woman I'm currently partnered with. Do you mind switching?"

OH, MY GOD!!!!!

Cupid glanced my way, a smirk playing on his beautiful lips. "Of course."

He uttered his apology to the woman opposite and walked over, casually dropping to the chair in front of me. I spared a glance to Kris, ready to thank him only to find him lost in the eyes of the woman next to me.

"So, relative huh?" teased Cupid, knowing fine well what was going on.

I returned his sinful smirk. "Yeah. Long lost cousins apparently."

"Ahh, I hate it when that happens."

We both laughed.

"So, Savanna with an S..." he began, subtly reaching over for my hand. "Are you going to be brave and give me your number?"

I squeezed his fingers and gifted myself a moment to think. I could practically picture Julia and Freddie with their pom-poms, cheering me on from the side lines. They were a crazy pair but I loved them dearly. After all, they only wanted what was best for me. And perhaps giving Cupid a chance was what was best for me?

"Ya know, Cupid with a C." I paused, taking in his hopeful expression. "I think I just might..."

***************

Rebecca Robertson is a writer of romance and YA, a believer of self-care and a hardcore tea drinker. Notoriously known for adding sweet & sexy to her stories, she enjoys creating words that keep her readers on the edge of their seat. She lives in the North of England where the weather is as unpredictable as her characters. Read more from Rebecca here.