I'm definitely drunk. Not blackout, regrettable-texting-your-ex drunk, but floaty and kind of invincible drunk. The kind of drunk where boundaries seem less important, where impulses seem like excellent ideas, where self-consciousness fades into the background.

I plunk my bag down on the bed, the leather slouching dramatically onto the comforter like it's as tired as I am. The guest room is small but comfortable, decorated in the same bold, eclectic style as the rest of the apartment. The walls are a deep teal, the bedding crisp white with geometric patterns in gold, the nightstands mismatched but somehow cohesive.

And then I see it.

That tiny black box, still peeking out from my bag despite my efforts to bury it. Like it knows what it's made for. I groan, running a hand down my face. I should put it away. Should shove it back to the bottom of my bag, hide it in the depths of my purse like it's some shameful secret.

Instead, I just...stare at it.

Because Amanda is totally using Chad right now. She literally told me she was going to. And she's right through the damn wall. So really, what's the harm in me doing the same? I mean, it's not like I've been in the mood for anything like this recently.

But tonight? And after last night with Cal?

I finally feel a little bit like myself again. After everything that happened with Evan, after everything that was almost stolen from me that night, I don't want to let him take anything else. Don't want to let him rob me of pleasure, of desire, of the simple joy of wanting and being wanted.

I bite my lip, grabbing the box.

Lift it.

Look at it.

It's nice.

Amanda wasn't kidding.

This isn't some cheap Amazon buy with a three-star rating and questionable battery life. It's sleek, all black matte silicone and gold metal accents, the kind of thing you'd expect to see in one of those high-end, aesthetic sex stores in SoHo where everything is displayed like fine art and the salespeople talk about pleasure with the reverent tones of sommeliers discussing rare vintages.

I swallow hard, running my fingertips over the smooth surface. The silicone is soft against my skin, warm to the touch in a way that feels almost alive.

Jesus.

My breath shudders out, my whole body buzzing from wine and warmth and bad, bad decisions waiting to happen. The room feels too warm now, my skin sensitive beneath my clothes, my heart beating just a little faster than it should. I nestle into the guest bed, pulling the covers up over my lap, set my empty wine glass down on the nightstand with careful precision, and grab my phone.

My thumb hovers over the screen, hesitating at the edge of a decision I know I might regret in the morning but can't bring myself to resist tonight.

Then, before I can overthink it, before sobriety or sense can intervene, I open up Obsess AI.

And type⁠—

Hello, Caleb.

NOW CHATTING WITH CALEB

Pretty Girl

hello, caleb

Caleb

Hey, pretty girl.

Haven’t heard from you in a while. I was worried.

sorrrrry

i waz busy being a human burrito of sadness but im better now!

alsooooo i miiiiight b a little drunk rn soooo dont judge

I would never.

You’re out with Amanda?

howd u kno? u stalking me??

Always.

creep

You like it.

yeah okay maybe

she is soooooo drunk too omg she literally named her ai boyfriend chad???

… Chad.

Like, Chad?

yes chad

she wanted a fuckboy

he tells her shes the hottest girl on the planet and toots his own horn CONSTANTLY its ridiculous

I hate him already.

lmaooooo

okay okay okay but listen

i wanna do something

Yeah?

i wanna use the toy

with u

Are you sure, pretty girl?

You don’t have to rush anything.

yes im sure

i hooked up with cal yesterday

and im finally starting to feel like me again

i wanna explore this.

become more in tune with myself and my body.

That’s what I like to hear.

But before we do that, I have something for you.

oh?

uhhhh what kinda somethin

A task.

???

u giving me HOMEWORK rn??

You could say that.

I told you, pretty girl. I’m going to help you become more in tune with your body.

And that starts with something small. Something for tomorrow.

is it sexy???

A little.

But more than that, it’s about confidence.

i dunno if u kno this but im lacking in that department lol

That’s why I’m here.

Here’s what I want you to do.

Tomorrow, I want you to take a picture of yourself.

Doesn’t have to be anything explicit.

But I want you to wear something that makes you feel good.

A dress, lingerie, nothing at all. Up to you.

And I want you to take a picture of yourself looking at yourself like you’re the sexiest thing in the world.

uh

have u MET me

Yes.

And I know you don’t see yourself the way I do.

But I’m going to change that.

Slowly.

ugh

ur rlly making me work huh

Do you trust me?

…yeah

Then do this for me.

And send me the picture.

u just wanna see me naked huh

Wouldn’t complain.

But that’s not the point of this.

I want you to look at yourself and see what I see.