Chapter 36: The Grand Gesture
Ava had faced a lot of bizarre situations in her life as a matchmaker—clients sabotaging their own relationships, surprise engagements in completely inappropriate venues, and that one time a bride tried to swap grooms mid-ceremony. But nothing could have prepared her for Ryan Kim showing up in her office lobby holding a crumpled paper bag of bagels and the kind of expression usually reserved for court depositions or root canals.
Kelly appeared behind her like a caffeinated shadow, leaning dramatically over Ava’s shoulder. "Oh my God, is he holding... carbs?" she whispered, her voice dripping with mock horror.
"Don’t start," Ava muttered, clutching her coffee as though it might shield her from the oncoming disaster.
"No, seriously," Kelly whispered, her grin widening. "I think this might be his version of a grand romantic gesture. Like when guys in movies hold up signs or play guitars outside windows. Except, you know, instead of music or flowers... it’s bread."
Ava shot her a look. "It’s a bagel. Not a sonnet."
"A bagel is a carb of love," Kelly countered, deadpan. "Honestly, I respect the creativity."
"Please go back to your desk," Ava sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"No way. This is the most entertaining thing to happen all week," Kelly said, pulling out her phone. "If he starts juggling bagels to prove his devotion, I’m recording it for TikTok."
"Why do I even employ you?" Ava muttered as she pushed past Kelly and stepped into the lobby.
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The marble floors of the lobby gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and Ryan stood dead center, looking like he was preparing for battle. His hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d been running his hands through it for hours, and he had the unmistakable aura of a man who had both overthought and underprepared for whatever he was about to do.