Chapter 71: Mei’s Paris Announcement
The tea shop was unusually quiet, the kind of quiet that felt suspicious when Mei was around. Ava sat at the counter, sorting through client profiles with a sense of accomplishment for the first time in weeks. The chaos of the convention was behind them. Ethan had been dealt with (for now), Julian had slunk away in algorithmic defeat, and she and Ryan had finally acknowledged what was simmering between them.
Ava glanced up at Ryan, who was leaning against the counter, sipping a cup of Earl Grey and casually scrolling through his phone. Every so often, he’d glance at her, flash her a small, knowing smile, and go back to whatever he was reading. It was... nice. Comfortable.
Too comfortable, she realized. Mei’s silence usually meant something was brewing.
The bell above the door jingled, and Ava braced herself. Sure enough, Mei swept into the shop, her floral scarf trailing dramatically behind her. Harold followed with a box of pastries, looking pleased as always.
"Oh no," Ava muttered under her breath, setting down her papers.
"What’s that?" Ryan asked, glancing up.
"Mei’s got that look," Ava said, narrowing her eyes at her grandmother.
"What look?"
"The ’I’m-about-to-change-your-entire-life’ look."
Ryan grinned. "Should I get popcorn?"
"Don’t encourage her," Ava hissed, just as Mei reached the counter, her smile radiant and far too mischievous.