Cooking up romance

Not feeling very lucky in love, Lisa skips a party to stay in, but a late-night grocery run turns her quiet Saturday into a surprising moment of connection and chemistry

- Alice Benson

Lisa resolutely pushed her cart past the candy aisle and headed for the dairy section. Her neighborhood grocery store was almost deserted tonight. Last week, her best friend, Kim, had tried to convince her to go toa party instead of catch-ing up on household chores, but Lisa just wasn’t in the mood to socialize tonight. She picked up a package of string cheese and remem-bered their conversation.

"Come on,” Kim had said. “You haven’t been out in ages. Steve broke up with you six months ago. You have to get back in the game.”

“I went on that blind date you set up,” Lisa grimaced.

“I’m sorry,” Kim smiled sheepishly. “He seemed like a really nice guy.”

“He was a nice guy. Unfortunately, all he could talk about was his ex-girl-friend and how he wanted to get back together with her.

I think he was only dating to have someone new to listen to him talk,” Lisa laughed.

“That was my bad,” Kim laughed too. “But you still have to keep trying. Jack and I are going to a party on Saturday. Lots of great guys will be there. Why don’t you come—please?”

Lisa did want to meet someone. Sometimes she felt like the only single girl in town, but she shook her head. “You've dragged me to three parties in the last few weeks. Nothing is working right now and I need a break. This weekend, I’m stay-ing home to get lost in a good book and catch up on chores.”