ing a warm glow over the cluttered space. She stood at the kitchen counter, i

otions she had long thought buried beneath the weight of her daily struggles. There was som

arrival of her friend Marissa, whose cheerful

thing okay?" Marissa asked, concern etching her fea

ffering Marissa a weak smile. "I'm fine,

ropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Is this about the mystery man you bu

r. "It's nothing, really. Just a random encounter on the street and he probably don't remember

gering sense of curiosity that gnawed at her insides, urging he

one shattered the fragile peace of the café, drawing Emily's attent

g herself for the inevitable barrage of quest

eer into her voice despite the apprehens

her grandmother exclaimed, her voic

aze darting nervously to Marissa, who watched with interest as

to talk to you about something important," her

n her grandmother's voice, a sense of dr

we found you a nice young man to settle down with. I've been talking to Mrs

ickening with panic as she struggled to find a polite way to

hy's nephew – a wealthy young lawyer with impeccable manners and a promisin

it came to matters of the heart, her grandmother's determination was a force to

but wonder if perhaps there was more to be gained from embracing the unexpected twists and tur

r grandmother's matchmaking escapades, knowing that whatever lay ahead, she would face it with courage,