Quinn had barely shut the door when her phone buzzed with a text. She was still fuming over the delivery mix-up, muttering to herself as she pulled her phone out.
Ava: Guess what! I sent you a little surprise!
Quinn squinted at her screen. Great, she thought sarcastically. Ava's surprises had a history of being "exciting" in ways Quinn would rather forget. She glanced over at the package, which she hadn't even opened yet, and tore the last bit of tape with her keys.
The box flaps sprung open, and Quinn's jaw dropped. Lingerie. Of all things, her best friend had sent her a sheer, black lace lingerie set.
Quinn immediately dialed Ava, who answered in one ring, clearly waiting for this reaction.
"You did NOT send me... this!" Quinn held up the lingerie, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Ava laughed on the other end. "Oh, come on! I'm just encouraging you to live a little. When's the last time you went on a date?"
Quinn rolled her eyes, flopping down on the couch. "That's not the point. You don't send someone lingerie just because they haven't dated in... a while."
"A while?" Ava scoffed. "Quinn, it's been years. You need a little spice in your life. You're 26, a CEO, and you work more hours than you sleep. I don't know how you're still sane."
Quinn laughed, though she wasn't entirely disagreeing. "Listen, I have enough to keep me busy without adding dating to the mix. Some of us are just... focused, okay?"
"Focused on dodging romance," Ava teased. "Anyway, when you do finally meet a guy worth your time, just know I'll be here, saying 'I told you so.'"
Quinn laughed, deflecting Ava's playful teasing. "I'll take my chances. Now, can we talk about something that doesn't involve my love life?"
They spent the next half hour chatting, talking about everything from Ava's latest fashion finds to Quinn's latest ideas for her tech projects. Quinn was grateful to unwind with her best friend's easygoing banter. She didn't have to be CEO Quinn with Ava; she could just be Quinn, her usual messy, carefree and totally unfiltered self.
Finally, they hung up, and Quinn slid the lingerie back into the box, chuckling to herself. She'd be the first to admit Ava had her quirks, but she wouldn't trade her best friend for the world.
Still, now that her mind had settled, Quinn was back in business mode. Her tech company was working on a major project—a new AI-powered security system that could change the industry. She set up her laptop, her fingers moving at lightning speed as she typed out ideas and solutions for the team. This was where she felt most alive, where her determination and intelligence shone the brightest.
And while Quinn had never quite fit the mold of a high-profile CEO, she wore her title proudly. She didn't need glitz or glamour to feel powerful; her ideas, drive, and ambition were what set her apart.
In her world, there was no room for distractions. But as she worked late into the night, she couldn't quite shake the feeling that something—or rather, someone—unpredictable had just entered her life.