Matchmaker Mayhem

The streets of Paris had quieted, the once-bustling city now a canvas of soft golden lights and whispered conversations. The Seine shimmered under the glow of the streetlamps, casting gentle ripples of silver and gold over the dark water.

Ava exhaled, her breath visible in the crisp night air as she and Ryan strolled along the riverbank. The weight of the day—the competition, the constant battle against Julian’s algorithms, Ethan’s sabotage—was still there, but it felt distant now, swallowed up by the peace of the moment.

For the first time in what felt like forever, it was just them.

No Mei dragging them into mischief. No matchmaking disasters to solve. No sabotage or looming deadlines.

Just the quiet hum of the city. Just the rhythmic sound of their footsteps against the cobblestone path. Just him.

Ryan walked beside her, hands tucked into his coat pockets, his gaze drifting over the water. "You know," he mused, "for someone who constantly complains about chaos, you sure know how to attract it."

Ava smirked, tilting her head toward him. "Oh, and you’re just an innocent bystander?"

Ryan shrugged. "Hey, I’m just along for the ride."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Sure you are. You definitely didn’t voluntarily dive into a river today just to prove a point."

Ryan smirked. "To be fair, I looked very heroic doing it."

Ava chuckled, nudging his arm. "You looked very ridiculous."