Counterfeit Cupid (Mt. Olympus Employment Agency: Cupid #2)(15)

Very graceful.

I doubled over, coughing and sputtering and feeling incredibly foolish, despite my invisibility. By the time I recovered, Josh had sidled up to the front desk like an old-fashioned cowboy in a saloon. And he was chatting with Michelle.

I groaned. “Get out of the way, you big tree.”

He stopped speaking and glanced around the room frowning. He shook his head as if to clear it. “I’ll have to try that Thai place you mentioned, Michelle.” He spoke to her as if distracted. “Thanks for the advice…” He trailed off and wandered toward the front doors.

Michelle raised an eyebrow and glanced at Stuart. Stuart shrugged in response.

I took that moment as the best I was going to get. I shot Stuart in the butt, then re-aimed and shot Michelle in the arm, just to be certain.

I may have been a little enthusiastic again.

Stuart yelped and turned in a half circle in an attempt to look at his own ass. Michelle squeaked and rubbed her arm.

They both stopped, turned to face each other, and grinned as if they’d only noticed each other a second ago.

“Michelle, I didn’t thank you for bringing me lunch. You take such good care of me.”

“It’s my pleasure. I couldn’t let you starve.”

With each sentence, they stepped closer until they were across from each other at the desk. Michelle’s cheeks turned pink as their hands touched across the oak counter.

“Son of a bitch.” Josh stood by the door, head whipping around and eyes wide. “Stop that.” He lowered his voice to a whisper when the two lovers glanced at him then back at each other. “You’re not authorized or trained. Whoever you are, give me back my wings and blowgun.”

I laughed and answered him, though I knew he couldn’t hear me. “Not going to happen my friend. You were careless.” I stood on tiptoe and inhaled his scent, then kissed him on the cheek. “Next time, take better care of your things.”

He jerked, like he’d felt or heard something, but looked in an entirely wrong direction. “I know you’re here. Come out.”

Not a chance of that happening. He was delusional if he thought I’d give it up so early.

“See you soon. Don’t wait up!” I went out the front door and down the street before he could know I was gone.

*

So much for two days off in a row. Stuart called in sick on Thursday, so I had to cover for him. I’d spread a lot of love on the one day off though, so I didn’t feel like I’d wasted the single day I’d had.

I relieved Chet first thing in the morning.

“I’m worried about Stuart,” he said, scratching his cheek. “He’s never called in sick in five years. He must be feeling awful.

“Well, there’s a bug going around.” I checked the clipboard while I spoke, unwilling to make eye contact. “Michelle wasn’t looking like she’d feel well enough to come in today, either.”

Chet shook his head. “We’ve got to get more people hired.”

I stifled a yawn and hung up the clipboard. “You’re telling me.”

Everything went smoothly for the first couple of hours of my shift. Then the elevator pinged and dumped Josh into the lobby.

I bent my head and tried to look busy.

Josh was having none of it. He slapped his palm on the counter in front of me, making me jump, then leaned toward me in a conspiratorial way. “Morning.”

“Good morning, sir.” I forced myself to make eye contact. “What can I do for you today?”

He kept his voice low for privacy. “How about you tell me what you can do to help?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure I can help without knowing the problem.”

He sighed. “Okay. So, that’s how you want to do this.” He leaned even closer. The muscles in his jaw twitched. “Some of my things have gone missing.”

I raised my eyebrows to feign surprised concern. “Oh, dear. Did you call the police?”

He shook his head. “Don’t do that. You know. I know you know. Just give it back and I won’t ask you for anything more.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Flynn. You didn’t lose it in this hotel, did you? I assure you, our housekeeping team is carefully vetted, so they’re very honest. Perhaps you misplaced this thing. What did you lose?”

He gave me a long look, his expression one of patience worn thin. “You seriously aren’t going to help me?”

He was not going to wear me down. I gave him my best look of wide-eyed innocence and pulled the hotel phone onto the counter. “Of course I want to help. It’s my job. And I certainly don’t want people to think their things aren’t safe with us. Why don’t you let me call the police for you?” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “I’m sure they can be discrete.”

I had no idea how he knew it was me that took his wings and blowgun. There was no possible way he could know for sure, though he seemed confident. But I could call his bluff and play chicken with him all day. I kept my gaze steady and unblinking,

He sighed and shook his head. “Never mind. I’m sure the thief is long gone. I’m sorry to waste your time.”

I struggled to keep my lips from turning up in a smug smile. “If you’re certain.” I tucked the phone away. “If there’s anything else I can help with, I’ll be happy to try.”