Noah Baker placed a bunch of bananas into his shopping cart and made his way to the dairy section to pick up a box of Chapman’s Almonds and Milk Chocolate ice cream bars.
He approached the dairy aisle. Water pooled at the base of the gurgling refrigerators, and ice oozed from the containers inside like surrealist sculptures.
Maybe the Kawartha Dairy is open, and I can pick something up on the way home.
He pushed his cart to the front of the store.
“Noah?” a woman called out.
He turned to face her.
Megan Cooper approached holding a basket. A wide smile softened her severe features.
“Thanks for the tip on the job,” he said. “I have my second interview next Tuesday.”
“You really are a great fit for it.” She removed her phone from her dress pocket. “Are you free tonight?” She looked up with a touch a daring and planning in her eyes.
“Uh—” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’ve got a great date lined up for you.”
No more dates. The last woman I went out with kept referring to Star Trek technology as though it existed in the real world.
I can bend my mind to a communicator being a phone, but I can’t bend my mind around food replicators in mall food courts. I just can’t.
“Thanks, but I’m busy,” he said.
Megan pulled his grocery basket close to her. “Hmm…You’ve got a Pebbles Honey Garlic Chicken, and a BBQ Back Ribs. I take it the chicken is for lunch tomorrow and the ribs are dinner.” She picked up the bananas. “And fresh bananas with banana bread and peanut butter for breakfast.”
Busted.
“I add honey and walnuts to my banana bread.” He tugged on his basket, and Megan let her hand fall to her sides. “They add a classic twist.”
“I remember you telling me you love to eat but aren’t much of a cook?”
“I have a way of spoiling the best recipes, yeah,” he said. “I guess I appreciate a fine meal all the more because of my cooking disasters.”
“Maybe that’s the best way to connect with someone—go on a cooking date.”
He coughed. “There’s no way I’m taking someone on a cooking date. I’d turn to get the salt and knock something over and set the kitchen on fire.”
Megan laughed. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Really? One time, I helped my grandmother bake cookies. We followed Grammy’s mother’s recipe that Grammy had been baking since she was a child. I don’t know what happened, but let’s just say it didn’t turn out as expected. So very, very wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“Ever have sour chocolate chip cookies?”
Megan frowned. “How’d you manage that?”
Noah laughed. “You tell me. Every last cookie was sour.”
“So strange.”
“I know, which is why I’m not going to subject anyone else to my cooking. If I cook very simple recipes for myself, I manage. But put me in a room with someone else and I do the cooking, and the universe conspires to ruin my recipe.”
“That can’t be right.”
“I once burnt a no-bake cheesecake.”
Megan laughed. “That’s awful.”
“I know.” Noah wiped a tear from his eye. “Which is why I don’t go on cooking dates.”
“I know dating is rough,” Megan said, “which is why I offer my help.”
“You’re not with anyone.”
She offered a confident I’m-not-with-anyone-yet smile. “Doesn’t mean I can’t help others.” She scrolled through her phone and stopped at a number. “I’ve got the perfect match for you.”
“You don’t know me that well outside of work.”
“Oh, I do my research.”
“I don’t like that sound of that.”
She laughed.
“Have you paired my phone?”
She glanced up at him with a guiltless smile. “I’m more thorough than that.”
He patted his phone in his pocket. “Satellite surveillance?” He kept his tone light.
“I have my ways.” Her smile turned even more innocent. “I know you like sci-fi, mountain biking, and playing board games. You prefer beer to cocktails, and you live right around the corner. Drop your stuff off at home, and I’ll arrange for your date to meet you at Tasty Tea.”
He pursed his lips. I’m about to land an amazing job. I’m focused on my fitness and have a good routine, and I’ve got a great group of friends. Things are really working for me right now.
“Thirty minutes,” Megan said. “You can give the potential love of your life thirty minutes. There’s a great rooftop garden to sit in. They’ve got a rose garden section and an English garden section. It’s like sitting in the middle of a forest in the heart of the city.”
She matched me to my dream job. Maybe she can match me with my dream partner. “What’s her name?”
“You’ll introduce yourselves.”
“How will I know her if I don’t know her name or what she looks like?”
“You’ll know her when you see her.”
“That’s so cryptic.” He laughed. “What do you do again?”
“I’m an auditor. I make sure everything is as it should be.”
“Are you sure you’re not outside sales?”
“I’d make more money that way, but I’d have far less fun.”
He peered into her shopping basket.
No alcohol.
He checked the time on his watch—shortly after four p.m.
Early for her to have come from drinking at Blitzed Moose and Blasted Goose on the corner.
Megan’s laughter was light and full of friendship. “I assure you, the only thing I’m high on is strong friendships and a life of meaning.”
“Meaning?”
“I love playing Cupid.” Every word was more sincere than the previous.
“I’ll go on the date,” he said.
Megan let out a soft squeal. “Excellent. She’ll be there in thirty minutes.” She swiped her phone and walked away.
Noah paid for his items, went home for a quick shower, changed into a clean shirt, and then walked to Tasty Tea.
Construction scaffolding blocked part of the store’s front window.
A wide banner in neon-blue block letters against a black background read Open.
His phone vibrated.
Megan texted: She likes Uji matcha
That’s my favourite tea too.
Noah texted: Got it
He ordered two medium Uji match teas and stood off to the side.
The bells above the door chimed, and three women, one pushing a baby stroller, walked in.
He scrolled through the day’s news on his phone. His stocks were up, his favourite YouTube channel had posted three new videos, and his favourite craft brewery announced a Beer, Bacon, and BBQ weekend.
My lucky day on steroids.
I should buy a lottery ticket—or a thousand.
“Two Uji matchas,” the barista said.
Head bent towards his phone, Noah reached for his tray, and his hand grazed someone else’s.
A series of black-and-gold plastic bracelets and a fashionable watch were wrapped around her wrist.
He followed the length of her arm up to her face. Large dark eyes held his attention, intelligent and kind and captivating. A moment turned into an eternity, and his heart kicked against his chest, demanding his lungs draw breath.
She’s stunning.
A gold-and-black scarf held back some of her hair, adding sophistication.
A shower of sparks prickled his senses.
It’s her.

Fans of these tropes blind date, reach for the same drink, forced proximity, mystery, sweet and cozy romance, and romcom will enjoy this book.