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

the class. Soon the music was echoing a through the space and the couples were swirling over the hardwood floor, learning the steps to the waltz.
    “I should have brought my opera glasses,” Elise muttered. The lighting in the building wasn’t great, and from their angle looking down from a distance, it was difficult to see the expressions on the faces of the dancers. It looked as if Greg and Chelsie were having a good time. Every once in a while she would catch a glimpse of their smiling faces.
    “Oh, it’s hard to do any decent spying from afar?” Ryan asked.
    Elise tried to ignore Ryan’s comment but realized it was probably time for her to give him an explanation. Maybe Ryan wouldn’t judge her so harshly if he knew the background to her actions. Because this was the first time Greg and Chelsie met, there probably wasn’t going to be much to see anyway. Somehow, though, a familiar, awful feeling still nagged her. No matter what she said, it wasn’t going to change Ryan’s impression of her. He would still find her guilty.

Chapter 13
     
    Though refusing to answer his sarcastic question about spying, Elise turned to Ryan and explained, “Greg is my dentist. Or, rather, he’s my dentist’s son. He took over the practice for his dad a few months ago. Since he just moved here recently, he’s been looking to find things to do here in the Seattle area. He’s come to our church singles group a few times, but he was also interested when I mentioned this dance class I’ve been attending. It’s just a casual thing. Whoever shows up on Thursday nights can participate. We’ve learned different types of ballroom dances and even swing and country line dancing. I met Chelsie here at class. She’s like me, though. She comes alone and just takes the class for fun.”
    “So you decided to deceive Greg and set them up.”
    Elise winced. “I don’t usually do blind set ups like this. The couples I match usually know each other, and I’ve had a chance to observe them interacting. I was originally just going to have Greg come with me and introduce him to Chelsie. But then I thought it might be better if I wasn’t there, so it would be more natural than a formal introduction. It’s always better if a couple doesn’t know they’re being set up. That way, there’s a lot less pressure and they feel more free to talk and get to know each other. It also helps that my absence kind of forces them together.”
    “So what’s Chelsie’s story? Why did you feel that she needed your help?”
    “Chelsie’s husband was in the military. About three years ago, he was killed in the line of duty. She and her son moved back here to Seattle to be close to her family. Her son Liam is five now. She is a physical therapist, and when she’s not working, she’s spending time with Liam. Her parents finally told her that she needed to get out and find some friends and a hobby. They watch Liam so that, one night a week, she gets a break and can come take this class. She’s been through so much working through the grieving process. I would love to see her happy with someone else to love.”
    “I can see why you wanted to make a match for her. But I’m a little nervous about you matching her with Greg. Did you ever think that Greg may be interested in you? After all, you’re the one he agreed to come dancing with?”
    “No. We’re just friends. I’ve mentioned to him the possibility of setting him up with one of my friends, and he was game.”
    “I can’t imagine a single guy being interested in just being your friend,” Ryan said quietly.
    Choosing to ignore the undercurrent of Ryan’s comment, Elise shrugged and replied, “I have a lot of guy friends, or maybe I should say guy acquaintances. I’ve been told I’m hard to get to know. I guess I still have the residual effects of being painfully shy. There’s no attraction between Greg and me, so he’s definitely in the friend category. He and Chelsie, on the other hand,