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

before I let you go for the night. Hurry and eat your dessert; we’re on a timeline.”
    To Elise’s relief, Ryan didn’t object, and fifteen minutes later, their hot fudge brownie sundaes had been devoured, and with Elise’s brief wave at the happy couple, they were on their way.
    The drive passed quickly, and Elise was soon pulling into a parking space at a destination she knew would be undoubtedly recognizable to Ryan even in the dark of this time of night.
    “Oh, no,” Ryan groaned. “You set somebody up at the Space Needle, didn’t you? I really didn’t think you would be so cliché.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with being cliché,” Elise said defensively. “I think it would be very romantic to be surprised by a date at the Space Needle. But no, that’s not why we’re here. Do you know how expensive it is just to go up in that thing? This Cupid does have her limits. I try to avoid fancy restaurants, expensive tourist attractions, and the pressure that would go along with both. ‘Warhorse’ was a definite splurge. Maybe someday I’ll be able to set up that kind of date, but not now, especially with needing resources for other matches as well.”
    “Then why are we here?”
    “You’ll see,” Elise said, once again wanting to keep her plans to herself as long as possible. The longer she waited to tell Ryan, the less time he’d have to object. “We need to hurry.”
    Ryan followed her as she walked directly beneath the Space Needle and then kept going. Elise finally entered a small shopping mall-type building and took a stairway to the second floor. The building was arranged so that the stores and restaurants were positioned around a center open area with hardwood flooring. A railing on the second floor bordered the open area so that people standing there could look down on it, almost like in a courtyard or stadium.
    Immediately after reaching the second floor, Elise walked to the railing and looked down, scanning the area.
    “There he is,” she said under her breath.
    She then took out her cell phone and dialed a number without a word of explanation to Ryan.
    “Hi, Greg, this is Elise. I’m not going to make it tonight. I’m really sorry I didn’t let you know sooner, but I’ve had a change of plans.”
    “Well, that stinks,” Greg said. “I guess I’ll just go home, and we can do it a different time.”
    “Oh, are you already there?”
    “Yeah, I guess I got here a little early.”
    “No, please stay,” Elise urged. “In fact, would you do me a favor? My friend Chelsie needs a partner. We usually have to dance together for the class because there aren’t enough men to go around. I was going to share you tonight, but would you mind being Chelsie’s partner? She’s really nice, and I’d feel really bad if she didn’t have anyone for the class.”
    “I guess I could do that. I’m already here. What does your friend look like?”
    “Chelsie is taller than I am with long medium-brown hair and brown eyes. She usually wears a silver bracelet around her right wrist.
    “Okay, I think I see her. I’d better go. The class is getting started, so I need to go introduce myself.”
    “Thank you so much, Greg! I’ll owe you one.”
    “Don’t worry about it, Elise. I’ve noticed you’re always doing stuff for others. This is the least I can do. I’ll talk to you later. Maybe I can come again next week and do the class with you.”
    Elise signed off and pressed ‘end.’ She felt Ryan’s eyes on her.
    “So that’s how it’s done?” he asked.
    “We’ll see,” Elise responded. “Greg is the tall, blond guy with glasses down there. Chelsie is the pretty brunette sitting on the bench.”
    They watched as Greg walked up to Chelsie and introduced himself, holding out his hand to shake hers. After a few brief moments of conversation, Chelsie rose from the bench, and they both walked to the center of the court area where the class was getting started. There were about ten others in