The private room at Ssam & Simmer was warm, cozy, and packed.
The round table was centered around a bubbling dual-section hotpot—one side rich and fiery red, the other mild and herbal. Plates of sliced meats, veggies, dumplings, and noodles surrounded it like offerings to the matchmaking gods.
Ava sipped her chilled plum tea, watching the steam curl upward like it was trying to soften the chaos that surrounded them.
Mei sat at the head of the table, chatting animatedly with Madam Choi in rapid Korean, both occasionally gesturing with their chopsticks like generals drawing battle plans in broth.
Ryan leaned toward Ava and whispered, "Is it bad I think your grandmother could start a culinary coup with just a chili pepper?"
"She already did," Ava muttered. "That's why the mild side of the pot is sacred. Last time she tried to 'activate my chi,' I nearly combusted."
Ava dipped a piece of beef into the red broth.
Under the table, a foot brushed hers.
She blinked.
