Chapter 1

Lucien: Hey, baby girl. Your lips called to me, and I couldn't resist.

Lucien’s message popped up unexpectedly, cutting through the monotony of swiping left and right on the Roped Dating app. I wasn’t just searching for my next match—I was searching for the perfect man to obsess over, someone to help me finally get rid of the lingering ache for my ex, Jacob. After his last disappearance, I was honestly so done with him.

I had just swiped left on Lucien’s account, never imagining he would accept my match so quickly. The thought made me feel giddy—especially considering he had one of the hottest profiles on the app. Sure, it was still an AI-generated picture, but that didn’t stop him from being flooded with requests from other girls. I guessed it was good luck that he matched with me, though part of me worried he might just be matching with anyone. That stung a little… still, I decided to reply.

Me: This is the craziest pickup line ever. Didn't you see any other girls with lips?

Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile as my best friend Sarah caught on to me smiling.

"Why are you blushing?" she asked.

"Found a good match, but I’m about to play it cool," I told her.

Sarah was making pancakes for us. Her golden locks were pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she wore fitted denim shorts and a red top.

The scent of sizzling batter wafted through the room. "What you really need is to go to the club or the bar with me. Find yourself a flesh-and-blood man, not some virtual creation. Who knows—behind those AI pictures could be a creepy guy lurking in a dingy basement," Sarah said, genuinely concerned.

"It’s not like I’d ever actually meet any of them. It’s just for fun," I replied.

"You say that now, but what if you end up falling head over heels?"

"Oh, please," I chuckled, swiping through my phone absentmindedly. A notification beeped, drawing my attention back. I couldn’t help but repeat my mantra: "It’s just for fun. Besides, who falls in love with anyone over the internet?"

Lucien: Don’t tell me I scared you away with my honesty.

Me: Maybe. I’ve never had a guy tell me my lips are so inviting.

Back in high school, people used to tease me about having big lips. But now, with Kardashians and other celebrities getting lip fillers, I’ve grown confident in them. Everyone wants lips like mine, and I love that it’s the first thing Lucien noticed.

Play it cool now, Allison, I warned myself.

Me: I’ve never thought of my lips as anything special. Do you have any flaws you’d like me to know about?

Lucien: Let’s just say, I have my secrets. Are you afraid?

Me: Not really. Just trying to make a conversation.

Lucien: You sound too innocent for this dating app. I’m sure there are plenty of predators here targeting young girls.

Me: How do I know you’re not one of them?

Lucien: Do I sound like one to you?

I looked up from my phone, pondering his question. "He just asked if he sounds like a pervert. What do I say? Should I crush his ego?" I asked aloud, directing the question at Sarah, who was now dishing out pancakes onto two plates.

"I think you should go for it and crush his ego," she replied, laughing.

"What? No way!" I chuckled. "You’re terrible."

"I’m just advocating for honesty," Sarah said, twerking as she poured maple syrup for both of us. She came out of the kitchen with two plates and dropped one on the sofa beside me.

"Thanks, babe," I said, smiling gratefully.

She plopped down on the couch near me. "Crush his heart before it even begins. That way he’ll never forget you," she said, smirking. "Men like that are used to nice girls, so you have to be different."

I giggled. "You are such a bitch."

"That’s why you love me, baby," she shot back.

I bit my lip, thinking hard. What do I say now? I wanted to keep him on his toes, but I didn’t want to hurt him…

Me: No, you don’t.

I finally replied, choosing to play it cool for now.

Lucien: Good. It’s fascinating that you put your faith in me. You are beautiful, and you have nothing to fear. I just want to know you.

Me: What if I’m too young for you?

Lucien: How old are you?

Me: Twenty-one. I’m still in college.

Lucien: What’s my lady studying to be?

Me: An accountant.

Lucien: Beautiful and smart. It appears I’ve hit the jackpot.

"Your food is getting cold!" Sarah chimed in again, breaking through the bubble of conversation between Lucien and me.

"I’ll eat, I’m just engrossed," I replied absently, caught between the warmth of our conversation and the mouthwatering aroma rising from the plate on the coffee table, especially now that my stomach had begun to growl in protest.

Sarah huffed in exasperation, though I could see the teasing glint in her eye. "Alright, but don’t blame me if it turns into a cold, soggy mess."

I chuckled softly, finally tearing my gaze away from my phone to pick up my fork, the delicious aroma of food filling my senses. "Now can you stop whining?"

"Not until I see you eating," she insisted, her tone laced with mock seriousness.

I relented with a smile, cutting a small piece of pancake and popping it into my mouth. "Happy now?" I mumbled around the mouthful, earning an approving nod from Sarah.

With a satisfied grin, Sarah returned her attention to the TV, leaving me to my meal. But even as I savored the pancake, my eyes kept drifting back to my phone, almost as if I were being pulled by an invisible force. I couldn’t deny the allure of Lucien’s messages, each one drawing me deeper into the web of intrigue he had spun around me.

Me: I want to know the basics about you too. Like your name, where you work, your family—things like that.

Lucien: I’m not one to divulge such information to just about anyone.

Me: So I’m just anyone?

Lucien: That’s not what I mean.

Me: That’s what it sounds like. How will we get to know each other if you won’t tell me about yourself?

After I sent the message, an idea popped into my head. Why don’t I play the seductress?

Me: How about a picture of my lips for some information about yourself?

Lucien: Now you’re about to play dirty, huh?

Me: Oh, come on… it’s not playing dirty. This is just a simple negotiation.