Page 56 of Matchmaking On The Menu

Mary’s gaze sharpens. “You want us to play detective.”

“Exactly. And Dannica can’t find out.”

Shelly blinks. “Shouldn’t she be here?”

“Hell no. She’s already trying to pretend the whole thing didn’t happen. If we bring her in, she shuts it down before we’ve started. She’s not going to go looking for him—she’s going to avoid him.”

Shelly huffs a quiet laugh. “Too true.”

“So.” She sits up straighter. “What are we doing about it?”

“A structured approach,” I say. “We create an environment where interaction is inevitable. Controlled setting, minimal distractions. A dinner, after closing. We make sure they’re both there and let it develop.”

Shelly stares at me. “A kiss in a setting designed for love had the man bolting. You really think a romantic dinner will keep him there?”

“I’m the only one with a plan.”

“That’s not a plan. That’s lazy thinking.” She leans forward, fully animated. “What you need is momentum. Something unexpected happens and suddenly they’re thrown together—forced proximity, shared experience. That’s where the magic is.”

“This sounds like an accident waiting to happen.”

“Not an accident. A setup.” She gestures between us like she’s physically pushing two people together. “We get them on a tandem bike⁠—”

“No.”

“You didn’t even let me finish.”

“I didn’t need to.”

Mary perks up. “Wait, let her finish.”

Shelly shoots her a grateful look. “Thank you. We get them on a tandem bike, right? Cute, a little chaotic, very memorable. Maybe Dannica’s bike breaks down and⁠—”

“You want to involve moving parts,” I say, “and Dannica’s coordination, in the same plan.”

Shelly pauses. “Yes.”

Mary tries to hide a laugh.

“Fine,” Shelly says. “What’s your idea then, Miss Efficiency?” She looks at Mary.

Mary straightens, suddenly serious. “She needs to be swept off her feet. Properly. Something happens, she’s in trouble, he shows up and⁠—”

“No.”

Mary blinks. “You didn’t even let me finish.”

“Dannica is not a damsel-in-distress type of woman.”

“It could be a secret fantasy.”

“Unlikely.”

“You’re suggesting we manufacture a crisis,” Shelly says.

“I’m suggesting we create an opportunity,” Mary counters.

“That requires deception,” I say.