50 Shades of Meet-Cute

Jump-Start {Shade 23}

Sofía Vergara - Sofía

Cobie Smulders - Quinn

Rubbing tired eyes, Sofía glanced toward the clock noting that it was nearly ten o'clock. Deciding to call it a night since she felt sufficiently prepared to deliver her opening statement on Monday, she shut down the computer, packed her briefcase, slipped into her skirt suit jacket and turned off the lights on her way out the office. Door locked, she headed toward the elevators finding it much too quiet except for the hum of a vacuum operated by a member of the custodial staff. That was the worst thing about leaving the law firm late-being one of the few people left in the large, multiple floor building.

Her tiredness faded the moment the elevator doors opened revealing someone she had what she dubbed a long distance crush on. LDC for short. Sofía referred to it as long distance since they worked on different floors, she on the fifth and Quinn Campbell on the seventh. She remembered the first time she noticed the woman who loved to wear three-piece suits (and looked so mighty damn fine in them). It took place three months ago in the firm's cafeteria on the top floor.

Sofía sat far enough away that she was able to secretly observe yet close enough she could hear the frequent clink of Quinn's fork against the plate holding her lunch. The moment she heard that quiet, smooth as honey voice inquire if anyone had a bottle of ketchup she wrapped her hand around the glass bottle on her table and was about to stand up when a man closer to Quinn's table beat her to the condiment aid. Glaring as though he ketchup blocked her on purpose, Sofía remained seated.

And that day was the closest she had ever come to meeting her LDC. Casually as possible asking around, it didn't take Sofía long to find out her name and which floor she worked on as a young up and coming associate. Having been with the firm only a bit over three years, there was already talk of her possibly making partner within the next year.

And now they were about to finally come face to face, Sofía's heart picking up speed when those piercing blue eyes shifted in her direction. Quinn failed to smile when offered one, but she at least murmured a good evening and nodded ever so slightly. Walking aboard, Sofía noticed the button for the underground parking lot had been selected, so she stood to the right and about three feet ahead of Quinn who leaned against the back walk with hands shoved into her pants pockets, briefcase positioned between her legs.

Say something, Sofía inwardly encouraged herself. Unfortunately, herself was too much of a chicken to even ask the simplest question such as 'how are you doing tonight?' or 'ready for the weekend?'. Was that so difficult? Apparently.

Elevator car nearing the lobby, she swore she could feel those piercing eyes upon her, but a glance over her shoulder revealed Quinn picking a piece of either tiny or non-existent lint from perfectly ironed navy blue slacks. Garage reached, she walked out, her own briefcase lightly bouncing against her leg as she fought the urge to check the other woman's location. Damn. Took three months for them to meet and swapping the greeting of good evening was the best she could accomplish. Seemed Quinn Campbell was destined to remain an LDC.

If her day hadn't just ended on a lousy enough note her car refused to cooperate. Several times Sofía turned the key yet it refused to purr to life. Great. Now she would need to get in touch with and then wait for her roadside service in the garage. The barren, quiet garage when it was pitch dark outside. No, that wasn't creepy at all. She screamed like a character in a horror movie running through woods while being chased by an axe murderer when someone tapped on her window.

Splayed hand pressed to her chest, she felt her heart pounding against it as she looked toward the left, relieved and surprised when she spotted Quinn standing there. The woman mouthed an apology and stepped out of the way as the door began to open. Seatbelt removed, Sofía exited the car and pointed toward it, stating the obvious that it died.