Between Lines and Lanes

PART XII : AVA SINCLAIR

"YOU DID WHAT? YOU YELLED AT WHO?!" Maya's voice pierced through the office, making Ava wince. She really didn't have the energy for this. Not today.

"Maya, it wasn't that dramatic," Ava muttered, rubbing her temple.

"The hell it wasn't!" Maya threw her hands in the air. "You just cost us the Luxe Haven project—the one with an unlimited budget! Do you know what unlimited means? It means I could' ve been sipping champagne in Paris next month, wearing diamonds I didn't have to save for!"

Ava shot her a look. "I told you when we started this firm —it's not just about money. I have standards. I'm not going to let some arrogant gruesome CEO talk down to me just because he has a fat wallet."

Maya groaned dramatically, sinking into a chair. "Urghh, I hate when you have morals."

Ava smirked. "Well, you 're stuck with me. And besides, we still have three other projects."

Maya let out a suffering sigh. "Yes. A bedroom and kitchen for Mrs. Torres, a tiny garden for Mr. York, and a full living-dining for Miss Gomez. None of which scream 'diamonds and champagne.'"

"You 'll live," Ava said, patting Maya on the head like a child.

Maya huffed, then suddenly gasped. "Wait! I know what we have to do. We march straight to Luxe Haven, apologize to Ethan Vescovi, and we tell him that you have a serious head concussion—Boom!—he forgives you. We get the project back, and my Paris dreams are saved."

Ava folded her arms. "No."

Maya blinked. "What do you mean no?"

"I meant no." she said with no budging.

Maya did not give up and said, "You mean no as in no to apologizing, or no as in no to my Paris trip?"

"Both."

Maya groaned again, throwing herself onto the desk like the world was ending then she headed out for a coffee run. It's her third one. Ava rolled her eyes and turned back to her laptop. 'So dramatic as usual'

She should be working, but instead, her mind kept drifting— to tomorrow. Leo's race.

She hadn't messaged him in days, hoping he'd drop the whole date nonsense, but the man was like a stubborn cat—he only got more interested when ignored.

A bet was a bet, though. If he won. There's no way he won. 'Right?'

She shook off the thought and focused on work, absently picking at her salad. Around noon, Milo and Alessia left for lunch, leaving her alone in the office. The quiet was nice. Until the doorbell rang. She frowned. 'Urghh.'

Nobody ever just walked in after a few moments the bell rang, then the doorbell rang again. Getting up, she opened the door to find a courier holding an enormous bouquet of white tulips, blue peonies, and yellow daffodils.

"Ava Sinclair?" the delivery boy asked.

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Sign here." said the delivery boy.

She did, then took the flowers, and shut the door.

'Who the hell...?' She didn't get flowers. Ever. Her first thought was Ethan—maybe an apology for yesterday. 'Huh, about damn time.' But when she pulled out the card, her stomach dropped.

White tulips for my apology & respect —I just want to get to know you.

Blue peonies for trust — because I want to trust you, and you to trust me.