Cupid's Cupcake by Ivy Sinclair Page A

repeat.”
    Belle had no doubt that the next time she looked at her email she would find the checklist of the items that Tiffany just rattled off. Tiffany loved checklists. Belle did not. The idea of having her life so organized made her skin itch. Belle preferred things to be a little more spontaneous and messy. Her theory was that it made things more interesting, but so far it hadn’t actually worked out that way in her own life.
    “You make it sound so easy,” Belle whined. She flopped down on her couch and stared at the ceiling. “I can’t do things like you can. It’s a guarantee that if something can go wrong around me, it will. I’m the unluckiest person I know.”
    “Which is another reason Cupid’s Cupcake has always been such a strange anomaly,” Tiffany chuckled.
    “Thanks for reminding me. I can’t do this. I’m going to ignore his email. It’s a stupid idea.” Belle wanted to crawl back into bed, throw the covers over her head, and forget that the email ever existed.
    “Oh my God! You drive me crazy, Belle! At least agree to talk to the guy. It wouldn’t kill you to have a little social interaction in any case. You are way to young act like such an old lady. Look, I gotta go. I just got home and Tom has dinner on the table.”
    “That’s so sweet of him.” Belle felt a wave of envy. Tiffany and Tom got married after college graduation. They were high school sweethearts. Belle never saw them fight. They had the kind of relationship that she always envied.
    Belle was hopelessly single. She was fairly certain that she was some kind of man repellent. She hadn’t had a serious date in months. With another Valentine’s Day staring her in the face and no prospects in sight, she had a feeling she’d be sitting on the sidelines for the holiday once again.
    “We’re not done yet. I swear if you blow this opportunity then I’m going to stop being your friend.”
    “You’l l never stop being my friend. You love me, and you know it,” Belle said smugly. The next thing she knew she heard a click that told her Tiffany hung up on her. There was a part of her that enjoyed getting her friend riled up. But then she remembered that Tiffany was probably right, and she was sullen again.
    Belle opened up my laptop and stared at the email in question.
     
    Hi Isabelle,
     
    My name is Brian Draper. I write a daily column for The Daily Gazette . The paper is currently scheduling stories for the month of February. Someone mentioned that they heard your ‘Cupid’s Cupcake’ was quite the draw for rounding out the perfect, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. I was unable to find a website for your business, but happened across your email address here. I would love to talk with you and find out more about your unique sweet treat. I’m sure my readers would appreciate the holiday heads up as well. You can contact me at your earliest convenience at the number listed in my signature, or via email.
     
    I look forward to hearing from you!
    Brian Draper
    Columnist, The Daily Gazette
     
    Since Belle was reading the email through her online, professional networking account, Brian Draper’s picture stared at her from the top of the message. It wasn’t the average, bland profile headshot. Brian’s picture showed him standing on a beach in a fitted white linen shirt and linen pants with the sun setting in the background. His blond hair complimented his golden tan and his smile was almost brighter than the sun behind him. He looked cool and relaxed, a feeling that was almost entirely unknown in Belle’s world. She figured he had to be around thirty years old.
    To Tiffany’s p oint, the man was undeniably attractive. Belle chewed on her lip. Maybe she was blowing the whole thing out of proportion. He’d probably ask a few questions over email or have a short call to find out what he wanted to know. She figured that it wouldn’t take him long to figure out that there was no story there. Then he’d go on his merry