Free The Random Acts of Cupid (Christian Romance) by Amanda Tru Page A

Stella and George.
    Susie came back through the swinging kitchen doors carrying a plate and a basket of rolls. Amber came through the doors behind Susie but made no move to follow the other waitress as she headed toward Stella’s table.
    Good girl, Amber! Elise thought, realizing Amber had undoubtedly enlisted Susie’s help to throw off any suspicion.
    Ryan suddenly stood from his position across the table from Elise. Elise looked up in confusion as he stepped forward and slid onto the bench right beside her. His sudden nearness made her heart trip over itself and she couldn’t get her tongue untangled to ask what on earth he was doing.
    “If you’re going to make me sit through this, I at least need to be in a position to watch the silent movie,” Ryan whispered defensively. “I don’t have eyes in back of my head to watch Stella from across the table.”
    Elise’s relief was short-lived, for Ryan immediately slid his arm behind her shoulders and pulled her body even closer to his.
    Elise looked at him in alarm.
    “What?” he asked innocently, though his eyes clearly danced mischievously. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear. “I thought you wanted to avoid suspicion. I have to appear to have a reason for coming to this side of the table. What better reason than to look as if I have romantic intentions toward you. After all, you are Cupid and it is Valentine’s Day.”
    Elise somehow got the distinct impression that Ryan was deliberately taunting her and enjoying every second of it. Was this some kind of sweet revenge for him?
    Susie had already placed Stella’s meal on the table and was talking to her. So instead of some brilliantly-fashioned retort to Ryan’s behavior, Elise opted for the simple finger to the mouth with an accompanying, “Shhh.”
    Though they couldn’t hear Susie’s words, they saw the instant Stella understood the news. The pleased, shy smile couldn’t be hidden and the delicate blush creeping into her cheeks couldn’t be denied. As if watching a well-acted pantomime, not a word was audible, yet the events perfectly apparent. Elise watched as Susie shook her head in a negative motion, but then seemed to take what appeared to be an involuntary glance over her shoulder at George. Stella’s blush grew even more rosy. As Susie smiled and turned to leave, Elise was sure she saw the waitress shoot a wink back at Stella. Walking back to the kitchen, Susie took the time to smile and say a few words to George while also directing a few pointed looks back Stella’s direction.
    “Well, that was an Oscar-worthy performance,” Ryan said dryly.
    “Susie should be an actress,” Elise agreed, trying to hold in her laughter. That had been beautifully played. Although she was sure Susie had in no way lied about who was paying for Stella’s meal, she had also obviously given the impression that it was George.
    “And I’m sure you’re ready to put your disclaimer all over that,” Ryan said. “You weren’t the one who deceived that poor woman. You can’t help what other people choose to do.”
    “No, I’ll take full responsibility for Susie’s ‘deception,’ Elise replied. “Though I didn’t give specific instructions, she did exactly what I wanted her too. I just didn’t realize she would be that good in the message delivery.”
    Ryan started to say something, but Elise cut him off. “Before you start criticizing me, you should stop your own deception and go back on your side of the table. I never asked you to pretend to be interested in me romantically. Couldn’t you say that you were deceiving everyone in the diner?”
    Ryan didn’t move a centimeter away from her. He stayed in the exact same position with his arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Instead he leaned over, his warm breath once again tickling her ear. “Who said I was pretending?”
     

Chapter 12
     
    Elise met Ryan’s hazel eyes and suddenly had difficulty swallowing. Every nerve in her body felt like