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