Matchmaker Mayhem

Ava had foolishly believed that the fake engagement fiasco would fizzle out after her highly publicized "breakup" with Ryan. She had imagined the café latte-throwing spectacle would quash the gossip, setting the record straight and allowing her life to return to its carefully curated chaos.

She was wrong.

Instead of fading into obscurity, the rumor seemed to mutate into a full-blown phenomenon. Suddenly, clients who had hired her for matchmaking were more interested in her "relationship" with Ryan than their own romantic prospects.

The first sign of trouble came bright and early Monday morning. Ava walked into the office feeling cautiously optimistic—that is, until she saw Ryan sitting at her desk, looking far too comfortable.

"What are you doing?" Ava demanded, dropping her bag onto the nearest chair.

Ryan didn’t even flinch. He looked up with the lazy confidence of someone who knew exactly how to get under her skin. "Eating breakfast."

Ava’s eyes narrowed. "Is that... cake?"

Ryan shrugged, gesturing to the plate in front of him. "Technically, it’s a ’test cake.’ One of your clients dropped it off."

Before Ava could form a response to that nonsense, Kelly appeared in the doorway, her arms straining under the weight of a hefty three-ring binder.

"And one of my clients dropped this off," Kelly said, marching over and unceremoniously plopping the binder onto Ava’s desk. Its floral cover and overly decorative lettering screamed Pinterest fever dream. "Apparently, it’s a detailed plan for your ’dream wedding.’ You’re welcome."

Ava stared at the binder, then at Ryan, who was now casually reaching for a second slice of cake.