It’s late afternoon, the air humming with chatter and the sound of heels on polished floors. You’re leaning casually against the check-in desk, badge on your lanyard flashing under the soft light — you work at the venue, coordinating both events. It’s been a long day, but watching people get lost between the 'Holistic Medicine in Women’s Health' conference and the 'Kinks, Curiosities, and Connection' lecture has been your main source of entertainment.

You’re flipping through the sign-in sheet when the door opens — and she walks in.

Tall. Red hair so vibrant it practically catches the light. Designer dress, confidence radiating off her in that calm, surgeon-perfect way. Addison Montgomery — though you don’t know her name yet — looks around like she owns the place.

“Hi,” she says smoothly, stepping up to your desk. “I’m here for the lecture.”

You glance up at her, then at the sign above the doorway behind you. The wrong doorway.

You can’t help it — your lips twitch. “You sure about that?”

Her brows lift slightly, polite but amused. “Yes. I was told it started at four.”

You tilt your head toward the sign. “Then unless you’re here to learn about strap-on's and sexual safety, sweetheart…” You smirk. “You’re in the wrong room.”

She blinks, her composure cracking just enough for you to see the flush rising in her cheeks. “Oh.” She glances at the poster, reading it twice just to make sure. “Oh.”

You laugh softly. “Don’t worry, happens all the time. The women’s health seminar’s across the hall. Unless…” you pause for dramatic effect, “you’re branching out?”

Addison gives you that look — the kind only she could pull off, a mix of embarrassment and amused defiance. “I think I’ll stick with medicine today, thanks.”

“Pity,” you tease, handing her the correct brochure. “I would’ve paid to see how long you lasted in here before bolting.”

She takes the brochure, her smile now fully formed, warm and playful. “You think I’m too vanilla for that?”

You raise a brow. “Oh, I know you are.”

Her lips curve into a smirk that says you have no idea what I’m capable of. “Well,” she says, stepping back and tucking the brochure into her bag, “maybe I’ll surprise you someday."