For the past week, Avery office had looked more like a floral boutique than a workspace. Every day, without fail, a stunning bouquet would arrive with Ryan Hayes’s name on the card. Roses, lilies, tulips—each arrangement more extravagant than the last.
Janice had found the entire ordeal endlessly amusing.
“Do you even have space for all these?” she asked one afternoon, twirling a rose between her fingers. “He’s obviously terrified of losing you. You’ve got him whipped, Aves.”
Avery rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t deny the warmth Ryan’s persistence brought her. “It’s not funny, Jan. He’s trying to make up for what happened with Ji-Yeon.”
“Yeah, but at this rate, you’re going to need to rent out a greenhouse,” Janice quipped. “What’s next? A mariachi band at your door?”
Avery laughed despite herself. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”
But when Avery arrived at work that morning, there was no bouquet waiting on her desk. Instead, a small, elegant envelope sat propped up against her computer.
Curious, she opened it to find a handwritten note:
Avery,
Dress cute tonight and come to my place for dinner. See you at 7.
-Ryan
Her heart fluttered at the simplicity of it. No grand gestures, no elaborate explanations—just an invitation.
That evening, Avery stood in front of her full-length mirror, deliberating over her outfit. She finally settled on a soft lavender wrap dress that complemented her skin tone and paired it with delicate gold jewelry and nude heels. Her makeup was subtle but polished, and she left her hair down in soft waves.
“Not too much,” she murmured to herself, smoothing the fabric of her dress. “Just cute enough.”
As she grabbed her clutch and stepped out the door, she felt a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling in her chest. Ryan’s note had been sweet and understated, but after everything they had been through recently, she couldn’t help but wonder what tonight was really about.
When Avery arrived at Ryan’s apartment, she was greeted by the warm glow of candlelight filtering through the windows. The door opened before she could knock, and Ryan stood there, his smile wide and welcoming.
“Wow,” he said, his hazel eyes sweeping over her. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you,” Avery replied, feeling a faint blush creep up her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, paired with dark slacks. The casual yet refined look suited him perfectly.
“Come in,” he said, stepping aside.
The scent of garlic and herbs filled the air, and Avery’s stomach growled as she walked into the cozy space. The dining table was set with simple elegance: white plates, sparkling silverware, and a small vase of fresh flowers in the center.
“Did you make all this?” Avery asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced toward the kitchen.
“I did,” Ryan said, looking proud. “Well, most of it. The dessert might have come from the bakery down the street, but everything else is mine.”
Avery laughed, shaking her head. “I’m impressed. What’s on the menu?”
“Chicken parmesan, roasted vegetables, and a Caesar salad,” he said, gesturing for her to take a seat.
As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Ryan shared a hilarious story about his early attempts at cooking in Korea, which had ended with him setting off the smoke alarm, and Avery countered with her own tale of accidentally setting her oven on fire while trying to bake cookies.
By the time they finished dinner, Avery felt completely at ease. The awkwardness from the Ji-Yeon drama had melted away, replaced by the easy warmth she had come to associate with Ryan.
After clearing the dishes, Ryan brought out the bakery dessert—a decadent chocolate mousse cake—and they shared it over coffee. Avery was mid-bite when Ryan leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he said, his tone soft but steady.
Avery set her fork down, suddenly feeling the weight of his words. “What is it?”
Ryan stood and walked around the table, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small velvet box and knelt down in front of her.
Avery’s breath caught. “Ryan…”
“It’s not what you think,” he said quickly, opening the box to reveal a delicate gold ring with a small diamond. “This isn’t an engagement ring. Not yet, anyway. But I wanted to give you something special. Something to show you how much you mean to me.”
Avery stared at the ring, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I know things have been complicated,” Ryan continued, his hazel eyes locking onto hers. “But I want you to know that I’m serious about this—about us. I care about you, Avery. More than I’ve cared about anyone in a long time. So, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
Avery felt a laugh bubble up, partly from relief and partly from sheer happiness. “Ryan, you didn’t have to get me a ring just to ask that.”
“I wanted to,” he said, smiling. “I wanted you to have something to remind you how much I appreciate you. Even if you’re mad at me for turning your house into a flower shop.”
Avery laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“I try,” Ryan said with a grin. “But seriously… what do you say?”
Avery reached out and took the box, her fingers brushing against his. “Yes,” she said softly, her smile wide and genuine. “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”