I grabbed my phone to call Kacia, and she picked up right away. Across the street, I saw her standing by the Uber, waving for me to come over while pointing at the driver, clearly not budging.
I leaned in closer to Jake, my voice low with doubt. "You sure this is gonna work, bro? She's just standing there. Not even moving."
Jake didn't even blink. He smirked and gave me a light slap on the back. "Relax, Ethan. I got this. Just play it cool."
With that, we both crossed the street, each step heavier than the last. As we got closer to Kacia, the full picture came into focus—and it wasn't what I'd imagined, not by a long shot. Her features looked worn, tired even. The smooth, glowing skin I'd seen in her ChatNow selfies was gone, replaced by uneven texture and the faint trace of dark circles. She looked… real. Too real.
But one thing hadn't changed—her body. Those curves I'd memorized through her filtered pics? Still there. Tucked snugly into a pair of tight jeans and a blue top that clung to her frame in all the right ways.
I pushed through the disappointment swirling in my chest, painted a smile on my face, and stepped forward. "Hey, love," I said, pulling her in for a hug that felt more like obligation than excitement.
She wrapped her arms around me loosely, her scent a soft mix of body spray and something faintly musty. "Hi, dear," she said quietly, her tone cautious. Polite. Like we were strangers pretending to be something else.
"This is my brother, Jake," I said, gesturing to him. "The one I told you about."
Jake extended a hand, flashing a charming grin. "Nice to meet you, our future sister-in-law."
Kacia smiled, a little shy. "Ethan, I can't stay long. I sneaked out, and my folks can't know I'm gone."
"No way," Jake cut in, stepping closer. "I've been waiting three days to meet you. I was supposed to leave town, but I stuck around just to see my brother's fiancée and give our folks back home the full report."
"Yeah, he's right," I added, playing along.
Kacia's smile wavered. "But you've seen me now. I really can't stay."
Jake moved closer, his voice warm but firm. "Come on, you're not gonna greet your future in-laws from the sidewalk. That's not how we do things. Come inside, let's do this properly." He gently took her hand, guiding her toward the house.
"Oh, God," Kacia muttered, glancing back at the Uber.
I stayed quiet, watching Jake work his magic. The driver called out, "Hey, you paying or what?"
Jake didn't miss a beat. He walked over, asked, "How much?"
"Twelve bucks," the driver said.
Jake handed him a twelve, and the Uber peeled out. I was impressed—Jake must've clocked that Kacia hadn't paid yet. We crossed back to my place, Jake chatting her up like they were old friends. Inside, he took over, asking about her job, her friends, her life in Atlanta. Kacia loosened up, laughing at his jokes, while I sat back, nodding and smirking, amazed at how he owned the room.
After about eight minutes of banter, Jake stood, grabbing his suitcase. "Alright, bro, I'm out. Gotta catch my bus. I'll let you and your girl have some privacy."
I laughed. "Cool, man. Say hi to Mom for me."
"I'm heading out soon too," Kacia said quickly.
"Oh, hold up," Jake said, snapping his fingers. "I almost forgot your gift. I'll let Ethan give it to you."
Kacia's eyes lit up. "Thank you so much!"
Jake turned to me, winking. "Yo, Ethan, what about that cash you were gonna spot me?"
"Thought you forgot," I said, playing along. I pulled my debit card from my wallet and handed it over. "Pull $500 from the account."
Jake's eyes widened dramatically. "Whoa, all that for me?"
"Nah," I said, glancing at Kacia. "Me and my girl are hitting the mall. You get what you need, and we'll use the rest for shopping."
Kacia's smile grew, her shoulders relaxing.
Jake smirked, winking again. "Bro, $500 won't cut it for our girl's shopping spree. You gotta come correct."
I fake-sighed. "What, you and her trying to drain me dry?"
"No way, bro," Jake said, grinning. "First impressions matter, you know."
Kacia laughed, fully at ease now. "Don't mind your stingy brother, Jake. He's too cheap."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, word? Alright, pull $600 then. You take $100, and me and my girl will ball out with the rest."
"That's my big bro!" Jake said, clapping me on the shoulder. "I'll hit the ATM and be right back."
"Thanks, Jake," kacia said, beaming. "Hurry, though—I can't stay long."
"No worries, sis," Jake said, patting her shoulder. "I'm quick. Gotta catch my bus anyway." He headed out, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he was gone, he shouted, "Yo, Ethan, come check this out!"
"Be right back," I told Kacia, stepping outside.
"Dude, you killed it!" I whispered, grinning. "That was smooth."
"Told you, I'm the event planner," Jake said, laughing. "I bought you time. Now go seal the deal. Don't mess this up."
"What about the debit card?" I asked, suddenly nervous. "There's only, like, $200 in that account."
Jake burst out laughing. "King of suckers, you think I'm hitting an ATM? That was all for show. Go get what you came for."
I slipped back inside and quietly turned the lock behind me, the click echoing louder than expected in the silence. Kacia was already sprawled across my bed like she owned the place—shoes off, one leg bent, scrolling on her phone like it was a lazy Sunday at her own apartment. The boldness of it caught me off guard.
Up close, that signature ChatNow glow was completely gone. No ring light, no filters—just raw, unedited reality. But even without the digital touch-ups, her curves still commanded attention. They were impossible to ignore, hugging the fabric of her jeans and the hem of her snug top like they'd been poured into them.
I sat down slowly on the edge of the bed, my mind racing as I studied her. This wasn't the girl from the screen. This was someone else entirely—less glamorous, more human. And yet, somehow, the mystery wasn't gone. If anything, it had just shifted.
"You're even prettier than your ChatNow pics," I lied, flashing a smile.
She rolled her eyes. "You're teasing me."
"Nah, I'm serious," I said, leaning closer.
"Thanks, babe," she said, softening. "Oh, where's the cash I asked?"
Here we go, I thought. "I'll grab it when we head out," I said smoothly.
"How much?" she pressed.
"Maybe $50," I said, upping the ante.
"That's why I love you," she cooed, grinning.
I took her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. "Don't mind Jake. He's a clown, but he's cool."
"He's nice," she said, smiling. "Just a vibe."
"Really? How so?"
"Just instincts," she said, shrugging.
I teased her palm with my finger, keeping the vibe light. "Never thought I'd see you this soon. Thought you were messing with me."
"You think I wouldn't show?" she said, laughing.
"Not exactly," I said, leaning in. "Just didn't expect it."
I pulled her in, our eyes locked for a moment that felt charged—like something was about to break loose. Our lips met, soft at first, testing the waters. But the heat came fast. She pressed her body into mine, her breath warm against my cheek, and I slid my hand down the curve of her neck, letting my fingers graze her cleavage, my pulse quickening.
I leaned in, lips trailing her jaw as my hand crept under the hem of her shirt. Just as I was about to push further, she pulled back, her eyes flashing—not with seduction this time, but resistance. She shook her head firmly.
Confused, I paused, then went in again, thinking maybe it was just nerves, kissing her deeper this time, more urgently. My hand slid up under her top, brushing against the lace of her bra. But again—she pushed me back, harder this time.
"Stop!" she snapped, her tone sharp, yanking her shirt down as she sat upright. Her whole vibe had shifted, and the air between us turned cold in an instant.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice tight.
"What are you doing?" she said, her eyes narrowing. "Trying to hook up on our first date?"
"No, it's not like that," I said, backpedaling.
"So you invited me here just for that?" she pressed, her voice sharp.
"Nah, babe," I said, softening my tone. "I just got carried away."
she adjusted her bra with a snap, shooting me a sharp glare. "This is our first date, Ethan. And your brother's gonna be back any minute."
I exhaled hard, trying to mask the frustration boiling beneath the surface. "Alright. Cool. No problem."
She smirked like she'd just scored a point. "That's my guy," she said in a tone that dripped more with patronizing charm than actual warmth.
I didn't reply. I just sat there, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the floor. My mind was spiraling. What exactly am I doing here? Is she even worth the hassle? Should I just call her out for playing games?
She scooted a little closer, folding her legs underneath her. "Ethan, what's going on? Talk to me."
"Nothing," I said flatly, still avoiding her gaze, my frown etched deep.
"Come on, don't shut down on me," she coaxed, her voice dropping into something softer, more tender—like she could feel the shift in the room and was trying to pull it back.
I ignored her, my mind racing. My phone buzzed—Jake, calling. I let it ring, too annoyed to pick up. It kept buzzing, but I didn't move.
"Your brother's calling," Kacia said, grabbing my phone. "Answer it."
Jake probably thinks I'm in the middle of something, I thought bitterly. "You answer it," I said, tossing it to her.
She picked up. "Hey, Jake," she said, her voice bright. I couldn't hear his side, but she nodded, saying, "I'm good." After a moment, she handed me the phone. "He wants you."
"Yo, what's good?" I said, my tone flat.
"How's it going?" Jake asked. "You close the deal?"
"Nope," I said, keeping it short.
"What happened?" he pressed, sounding annoyed.
"Nothing, man," I said, dodging.
"You're pissing me off," he said. "Give her the phone."
I handed it back to Kacia, who chatted with him briefly. "He says he's in line at the bank and will be back soon," she told me, hanging up.
I stayed silent, my mood tanking. Kacia scooted closer. "Ethan, what's wrong, babe?"
"Nothing," I said, then pivoted, forcing a thoughtful tone. "You know, you actually inspired me."
She raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"You're right about first dates," I said, channeling Jake's advice, trying to flip the script just enough to regain control. I leaned back, letting my voice cool. "They're supposed to be about getting to know each other. Talking. Not… rushing into anything."
She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean," I said slowly, with a shrug, "I'm not really feeling the whole shopping plan anymore. Maybe we can do that another day."
Her face shifted fast—surprise flashing into something sharper. "Wow. So you were only planning to take me shopping to get something out of it?" she snapped, crossing her arms. "If that's the kind of guy you are, keep your money."
I stayed calm, refusing to rise to the bait. "Kacia, come on. You're not just some girl I met online. You're the one I've been thinking about for months. You're the one I imagined bringing home someday. I guess I got carried away—thought we were deeper than we actually are. That's on me. I misread the moment."
Her lips parted slightly as if the wind had just been knocked out of her. But it didn't take long for the fire to return.
"Keep your shopping. Keep your damn games!" she shouted, grabbing her bag and marching toward the door. Her hand hit the handle, yanking it—then stopping, frozen.
A heavy silence hung for a beat.
She turned back, blinking fast, her voice suddenly trembling. "Ethan… I love you more than you think. Why are you treating me like I'm just some random girl?"
Got her, I thought, watching her face shift with panic. She wasn't ready to walk away from that promised $500 shopping spree—or lose the easy $50 she thought she had in the bag today. I stood up slowly, walked over, and gently took her hands, looking straight into her eyes like I meant every word.
"Babe," I said, voice soft but sure, "you know I love you. Always have, always will."
Before I could second-guess it, our lips collided. The kiss was hot, desperate—like we were making up for all those months of texting, voice notes, and teasing DMs. Her body melted against mine as we stumbled back, crashing into the door. We stayed like that for five straight minutes—touching, gasping, lips glued, hearts racing.
Then she pulled back, breathless, eyes wide. "Ethan, stop!" she said, her voice cracking.
"Stop what?" I asked, low and heated, frustration crawling into my tone. "We're here now, Kacia. We made it happen."
She shook her head slightly, biting her lower lip. "I just… I don't think this is right."
"Babe," I whispered, stroking her cheek. "You mean everything to me. I've never felt this way before. I can't help wanting you."
Her expression softened, her guard slipping a little. "I know you love me," she whispered, her fingers curling around mine. "But this… this is moving too fast. Way too fast."
I didn't hold back this time. I pulled her close, my hand sliding behind her neck as I kissed her—deeper, slower, with purpose. She melted into me, lips parting as if she'd been waiting for this. Her breath hitched as our bodies pressed tighter, curves aligning in perfect rhythm.
My fingers trailed down her spine, slipping beneath her shirt to the warmth of her skin. She shivered, not from cold, but from the spark between us. Her hands roamed my chest, clinging to my shirt like she needed something to hold onto.
We fell onto the bed, mouths never breaking. Her thighs wrapped around me, pulling me in, anchoring me. Our movements synced, urgent but unhurried—like we were trying to memorize the way we fit together. The scent of Febreze still hung in the air, blending with something raw and real—skin, want, heat.
Every touch sent sparks crawling across my skin. Her moans were soft, breathy, like confessions in the dark. I kissed her neck, her collarbone, feeling her heartbeat race beneath my lips. She arched into me, whispering my name like a prayer.
We moved in a blur of tangled limbs and whispered promises, a fast, frenzied fifteen minutes that felt like it lived outside of time—like the world paused just for us.
"You happy now?" Kacia asked, catching her breath as she adjusted her clothes.
I raised an eyebrow. "What's that mean?"
"Have you accomplished your mission?" she said, her tone half-teasing, half-annoyed.
"Babe, there's no mission," I said, grinning. "Just me and my girl having a moment."
She smiled, softening. "Where's your bathroom? I need to freshen up before Jake gets back. Gotta head out soon."
I pointed her to the bathroom, flushed the evidence, and slipped back to the room. While she was in there, I shot Jake an iMessage.
Me: Yo, I did it!
Jake: Haha, knew it! I'm outside, heard you two moaning.
Me: Man, you're crazy! What now?
Jake: I'll call you.
Kacia came out, fully dressed, and told me to call Jake so she could bounce. I smirked, mission accomplished.