Chapter 69: Rooftop Goodbye
The hotel rooftop had become Ava and Ryan’s unofficial sanctuary over the course of the convention. It was where they escaped from Harold’s snoring, Mei’s chaos, and the nonstop whirlwind of matchmaking challenges. Tonight, under the inky New York sky speckled with stars, it felt more significant. This wasn’t just another escape. It was their last night before heading home, and the air carried the bittersweet weight of endings—and beginnings.
Ava leaned against the railing, staring out at the twinkling skyline. The distant hum of traffic and laughter from late-night revelers below filled the air. She took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze soothe her frayed nerves. "Well, we survived," she said finally, her voice quiet but tinged with amusement.
"Barely," Ryan replied, stepping up beside her. He rested his elbows on the railing, his shoulder brushing hers. "I think Mei’s popcorn fire alone knocked a few years off my life."
Ava smirked. "And Harold’s snoring didn’t help."
"Or Ethan’s sabotage. Or Julian’s algorithm. Or the dessert cart collision that, for the record, was not my fault," Ryan added, shooting her a playful look.
"You tripped over your own feet, Ryan," Ava said, raising an eyebrow.
"I was distracted," Ryan protested, feigning indignation.
"By what? A particularly shiny éclair?"
Ryan laughed, the sound warm and unguarded. "By you, Matchmaker. Obviously."
Ava rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. She turned back to the skyline, hiding the faint blush creeping up her neck. Ryan had a way of disarming her with his casual charm, and it annoyed her how easily he could make her forget her carefully constructed defenses.
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