3
Lonnie stepped into Heartline Headquarters the next day. It had been a while since he had been inside the building, but he was looking forward to getting back to work with this elite group of people. Several other people, men and women alike, who worked for Cass were inside and using the gym. They dubbed the Heartline HQ as The Watchtower because of the glass walls and its view of the Lock and Key Bridge.
“Hey, Cass,” Lonnie said as he approached the man. He looked around the familiar room. “It’s good to be back.”
“It’s good to have your ugly mug back.”
Lonnie laughed. “So what’s the assignment?”
Over the next few hours, Cass gave Lonnie the details of the Valentine’s Ball and all that would be expected of him during that time. It was standard procedure with just keeping people straight and clearing up any brawls that were bound to break out. The ball wasn’t for another week and a half, but they would go over several procedures, and Lonnie would train with Cass’s team to learn all their new protocols. Lonnie looked forward to getting out of his normal routine of keeping women from mauling the band. This was a bit more challenging, and hewelcomed it. The adrenaline rush alone over the next few weeks would be enough to last him for another year.
By the time Lonnie left the headquarters, it was well into the afternoon. He walked down to the main part of town and spotted the little cupcake shop. It had steady traffic going in and out, mainly with people coming out with larger boxes. Before he could stop himself, he walked across the street. The bell above the door jingled as he stepped inside. The smell of freshly baked cupcakes hit his nose, and his mouth immediately began to water.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
Lonnie looked up from the display case to see Alexis standing behind the counter. Her face instantly turned red when she recognized him.
“Hey. I was in the area and thought I’d come try one of your delicious cupcakes. It smells amazing in here,” Lonnie said.
Alexis tucked imaginary hair behind her ear. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, and he smiled at her doing it out of habit. Or perhaps it was a nervous tick.
“Which one would you like?”
He looked over the display case, which had different red and pink frostings for the upcoming holiday. But one stood out more than the others with white frosting and a chocolate garnish. “How about that one?”
She smiled and pulled a cupcake out of the case. She put it into a mini box and walked to the register. “That’s my best seller.”
He paid and took the box from her. “Thank you. I look forward to trying it.”
“I hope you enjoy,” she said.
He only realized he was staring once she shifted and pushed imaginary hair behind her ear again. He chuckled and waved before stepping out of the shop, heading down the sidewalk.Once he was out of sight, he opened the box and picked up the red velvet cupcake. He bit into it and nearly groaned at the flavor that exploded in his mouth. The frosting was cream cheese, and the cupcake was perfectly moist. Lonnie rarely cared for dessert, but he knew, without a doubt, that he would go back for more.
Lonnie snapped a photo of the half-eaten cupcake and attached it to a group text message.
Lonnie: Next time we’re near Cupid City, I’m treating you all to a cupcake.
It didn’t take long for the texts to come in.
Ben: Wow. This coming from the man who hates desserts?
Jake: Is it about the cupcake or…?
Liam: Sounds like a woman is involved.
Theo: Why are you in Cupid City?
Will: Looks delicious.
Lonnie rolled his eyes. The different band members and the manager of Chaotic Notes were all best friends. Lonnie had been their bodyguard since they were small fish. They had all become family during the several years they had been working together. Lonnie saw them more like brothers than anything.
Lonnie: I’m in Cupid City helping a buddy out with an event.
Liam: Don’t lie. You were bored and couldn’t stand being without us.
Lonnie: Okay, pretty boy. You’re right. My life revolves around you at all times.
Liam: I knew it.
Lonnie finished the cupcake and tossed the wrapper and box in a trash can before walking back to his hotel. In the process, he familiarized himself with the town again. He had been to Cupid City before, but it had been a while, so he wanted to see what all in the town had changed since the last time he had been there.
The mid-sized river city had a chocolate-row warehouse district and an old iron bridge covered in hundreds of “love locks.” Lonnie knew without looking that The Watchtower overlooked the bridge, and if anyone in the tower were looking, they would see him strolling along.
Just as he was crossing over the bridge, he heard a woman yell “Yes!” He looked back to see a man on one knee putting a ring on her finger. Every single time he was there, he witnessed an engagement. People traveled from all over just to propose on the bridge or attach a lock of their own. It was their own city of love in the United States.
Lonnie arrived at his destination, The Gilded Hart Hotel, which was also where the Valentine’s Ball would be held. He made his way up to his room and relaxed for a bit before he needed to get back to The Watchtower for tactical training.
He had a feeling his time in Cupid City would be something he’d never forget.
