Noodling Around

Hello and welcome to the 2020 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! I’m writing one new meet-cute per day as part of my “Sacramento Love” theme. Read along as couples find themselves falling for folks in lucky locations across California’s capital city. In this time of social distancing, there’s no need to fear a little fictional fun, so get your romance fix here and enjoy!

P.S. Today’s story was inspired by Writer’s Block Coffee, who really are donating 100% of their sales today to Feeding America! They’re aiming to raise $1,000 for the hunger charity, so if you need to stock up on coffee (or just want to try something new), today’s the day.

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N Street, Midtown, midday. Nora zipped down the sidewalk on a rented scooter, searching for a noodle joint. She was supposed to be meeting Nick at noon, and it was already half-past. She’d texted him to apologize for her tardiness, and blamed it on her boss. He’d replied “No prob, see you soon?” and she’d given him a thumbs-up emoji.

This was the third time in three days she’d tried to meet up with him, each time getting waylaid by another mishap at work. She was beginning to think their stars were crossed – but in the opposite direction.

“Almost there, please don’t leave,” she thumbed into her phone, hoping that didn’t sound too needy.

“I’m all yours today,” came the reply, and her heart melted a little.

Finally spotting the address, Nora jumped off the scooter, tossed it against a nearby tree, and rushed inside.

“Nora?” came a deep voice from a dark corner of the restaurant.

“Nick?”

“We meet at last!” he laughed.

Nora moved back into the restaurant toward her date. Nick stood up from the booth where he was ensconced. He was everything she’d imagined: tall, dark, and undeniably handsome, with a surprise dimple in his chin. He leaned in to kiss her cheek hello.

“It’s so great to finally meet you,” he said.

“You’re all mine?” she quoted his text back to him with a suggestive quirk of one eyebrow.

He blushed. She grinned. They ordered drinks and dim sum to start.

Don’t miss a magical moment!

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