Chapter 77: A Morning in Paris
The gentle hum of Paris waking up filled the air as Ava and Ryan stepped out onto the cobblestone streets. The sky was painted in soft hues of pink and gold, and the chill of the morning was offset by the warm promise of sunlight. The city felt quieter at this hour, a stark contrast to the opulence and chaos of the previous evening’s gala. Ava took a deep breath, letting the crisp air calm her nerves.
"Where are we going?" Ava asked as Ryan led her down a narrow street lined with quaint shops and flower stalls just beginning to open.
"Somewhere without chandeliers or Julian," Ryan replied, his hand lightly brushing against hers as they walked. "You need coffee, and I need to keep you from spiraling before the first challenge."
"I don’t spiral," Ava said defensively, though the faint smile on her lips betrayed her amusement.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "You’ve been muttering about ’perfect match algorithms’ under your breath for the last five minutes."
"I was strategizing," Ava said, her tone indignant.
"Sure you were," Ryan said with a grin, leading her to a small café tucked into a quiet corner of the street. Its wicker chairs and round tables spilled onto the sidewalk, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafted through the air.
Ava hesitated as Ryan pulled out a chair for her. "This looks expensive," she said, eyeing the menu propped up on the table.
"It’s Paris," Ryan said, rolling his eyes. "Everything’s expensive. Sit."
She sighed but took the seat, the warmth of the morning sun brushing against her face. A waiter appeared moments later, delivering a basket of croissants and a small chalkboard menu.
"What do you recommend?" Ava asked, glancing up at Ryan.