The music thumped so loudly through the club that it felt like the beat was vibrating in Quinn's chest. She stood at the bar with a drink in her hand, flashing a wide smile at her best friend, Ava, who was already in full party mode, chatting up some guy who Quinn wasn't really paying attention to. She was too busy scanning the room, watching people laugh, dance, and live in the moment. The neon lights, the pulsing rhythm of the bass, and the buzz of excitement filled the air. It was everything Quinn loved.
"Come on, Quinn, let loose!" Ava said, grabbing her by the wrist and dragging her toward the dance floor.
Quinn laughed, trying to wriggle free, but Ava's grip was ironclad. "I'm just enjoying the view," Quinn replied.
"Enjoying the view?" Ava raised an eyebrow. "Girl, you need to stop working all the time and actually enjoy yourself! Look at these guys! They're looking at you like you're their personal version of a diamond."
Quinn rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. They can look all they want."
But Ava was having none of it. "You're so picky! What's it gonna take for you to realize that guys like this aren't going to be around forever? Live a little."
"I am living," Quinn said with a laugh. "Just not in the way you're thinking."
Ava, always the life of the party, wiggled her eyebrows. "Well, as long as you're having fun. I'll be over here stealing hearts while you're admiring the scenery."
As the night wore on, Quinn's phone buzzed with notifications. She checked her Instagram—another picture from tonight, another round of drinks with another group of strangers. She uploaded it, captioned with a snarky line, and clicked post.
Within seconds, the likes started rolling in, and she was suddenly bombarded with comments from the guys she'd met on the dance floor. Quinn had mastered the art of leading men on without giving away too much. They'd flirt, she'd tease, and then they'd all part ways, no strings attached.
What she didn't realize was that Ethan—yes, the same guy who'd become an unexpected part of her life since that weird package mix-up—had taken a quiet liking to her Instagram posts. He'd scroll through her photos, sometimes more than once, his eyes lingering on her smile, her confidence, the way she seemed to enjoy her life with effortless ease.
It was strange. He wasn't the type to get involved with someone like her—someone who didn't seem to care much about the people around her, constantly living life like a series of temporary moments. But there was something about Quinn, something that made her impossible to ignore.
He had his own life, his own work, and his own stress to deal with. But there he was, swiping through her Instagram stories like some lovesick fool.
When she posted a picture of her dancing with a guy at the bar, Ethan's frown was almost imperceptible, but it was there. He didn't like seeing her so… carefree. He didn't like seeing her with anyone else, especially when that someone else wasn't him.
---
The next day, Quinn was lounging at home, scrolling through her phone as she casually sipped her coffee. She smiled when she saw a new message from Ava.
Ava: *"Did you see the guy I was talking to last night? I swear, he's been texting me non-stop since we left the club. And you should've seen the way those guys were looking at you! You could've had anyone."*
Quinn rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips. "It's not that deep, Ava. I'm just having fun. Nothing serious."
Ava: *"Sure, sure, but don't come crying to me when they all start falling for you. I'll be here to remind you how many hearts you've broken."*
Quinn laughed again. She loved Ava's teasing, even if she wasn't entirely sure she agreed. Relationships weren't something Quinn was looking for. She'd learned that early on in life—keeping people at a distance was just easier.
---
Later that evening, Quinn had a free moment, so she decided to check her phone. Her finger hovered over Ethan's name in her contacts. After their brief chats and the random gift exchanges, they'd started texting each other now and then, but nothing serious. He'd checked in after her gala appearance, and they'd exchanged a few messages about work stuff.
But tonight, she decided to reach out. She sent him a simple text:
*"You know, I never thanked you for the orchid bouquet. It was a nice touch. Don't get used to it though, I'm not going soft."*
Ethan's reply came almost immediately.
*"I'll keep that in mind. But don't think I've forgotten the cactus."*
Quinn smirked as she read the message. Ethan had a way of keeping things playful, and she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
*"Touché,"* she replied. *"But I'll be ready for your next move. Just wait."*
And with that, the text conversation trailed off. Quinn put her phone down, then immediately picked it up again to check her notifications. There was a new comment on one of her photos.
It was from a guy she didn't recognize, but his message made her pause:
*"You seem like someone who knows how to have fun. Maybe we should hang out sometime."*
Quinn grinned, typing a reply almost instantly:
*"Maybe. But I warn you, I don't let anyone off easy."*
She hit send and set her phone aside, already planning her next adventure.
Unbeknownst to her, Ethan had seen the comment too. And the strange, almost possessive feeling that rose within him was something he couldn't quite shake.
---
The game, it seemed, was just getting started.