Unraveling Ava's Heart
ng from his encounter with the mysterious woman i
ting at a small table by the window. It was Lily Tho
ay over to Lily's table. "He
mile. "Alex! Oh, I was just grabbi
e of comfort in her presence. "So, how's schoo
her coursework, and Alex listened intently, a
her heart racing with excitement. She had harbored a secret cru
lex's family. "So, how's your mom doing?" L
he's still trying to marry me off to so
n imagine. Your mom alway
about it. But hey, at
up to leave. "It was great running into
but she forced a smile. "
heart aching with unrequited love. She sighed, wondering if sh
just moved to the city. She's Sophia's
phia for lunch, Sophia bursts into
claims. "I had to pick up Bella from th
ectic style. "Wow, you're certainly... color
amusement. "Hey, someone's got to br
e uneasy around Bella. There's something about Bella's car
arts chatting with the waiter, asking him about the best dish
ways been like that," Sophia says. "She has this
her water. "She's defini
a mischievous grin. "Oh, I don't know, Ava," Bella
g a little defensive. "I don'
hink she's just waiting for the
ully rolls her eyes. "B
ves with their food. As they dig in,
says. "LA was amazing, but it's not the sam
ed. "How was livin
her job as a stylist to her adventures hiking in Runyo
her watch. "I'm so sorry, but I have to ru
It was great catchin
ella hurries out of the restaura
r watch and stands up. "I'm so sorry, Ava, but
at catching up with you, Sophi
dbye and hurries ou
or a meeting at the office. She quickly pays the bill
ets her with a nod. "W
, please,"
l out of the parking lot, Ava takes a deep br
er back to her conversation with Bella.
es pulls up to the entrance and Ava
ds and d
, Rachel, greets her with a harried expression. "Ava, y
breath. "Thanks, Rache
eeting room, feeling
cold drink. He had just finished explaining his plan to
d, grinning. "You'll be able to find som
trying to deceive anyone. You just want to get to kn
. I'm tired of my mom trying to set me up with girls wh
tic glance. They knew how much Ale
e got your back. We'll help you find
way I'll ever find true love," Alex sai
huckling. "You're craz
ther in a toast, Jake suddenly
shaking his
iends headed
reeted by two familiar faces: Marcus Thompson, a wealthy bu
men, exchanging warm smiles. "
s. "Reginald, we've been discussing a potential busin
arrowed, intrigue
tone. "We're talking about a merger between our companies.
racing with the implications. "T
. "I knew you'd see it our way, Regin
l, Reginald couldn't shake off the feeling that
ay along. After all, the potentia
ood up, a sense of satisfaction washing ov
o shake hands, Marcus's phone
e listened to the caller. "What d
sense of unease creeping o
hapter