Chapter one: The Boyfriend Who Wasn’t Supposed to Exist
Avei Black had just finished deleting her dating apps for the fifth time when her mother called.
“Sweetheart,” came her mother’s voice, all syrup and sunshine, “your father and I were just talking. We think it’s time we met your boyfriend.”
Avei froze, mid–potato chip. “My what now?”
“Ethan!” her mother chirped. “The navy man! You’ve been seeing him for months. We’ve told everyone in church!”
Avei slowly sank into her couch. Oh no. Not again.
It had started innocently enough. Her mother had been nagging—again—about how Avei was “too picky” and “going to end up alone with her cats.” So, to shut her up, Avei invented a boyfriend. A few harmless details here, a few AI photos there, and bam — Ethan Cole was born. Perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect excuse.
Only now her mom wanted him to come over for lunch.
“Uh, Mom, he’s… at sea,” Avei said, waving a hand as if “at sea” could make people vanish.
“Well, his ship must dock sometime. Sunday! I’ll make roast chicken!”
Avei groaned. “I’ll… see what I can do.”
“Wonderful!” her mom squealed. “Your father is already polishing his shoes.”
The call ended. Avei threw her phone onto the couch and covered her face.
Her best friend Lina poked her head out from the kitchen. “That sounded bad.”
“Bad?” Avei said, peeking through her fingers. “My mom just invited my imaginary boyfriend to lunch. How do I RSVP for someone who doesn’t exist?”
Lina laughed. “You could rent a boyfriend.”
“Not in my budget.”
“Well, AI created him,” Lina said, smirking. “Maybe AI can send him too.”
Avei rolled her eyes. “If only.”
The rest of the week passed in a blur of panic.
She tried everything — fake texts, fake screenshots, even a fake “deployment letter” that looked so real Lina told her she should work for the CIA.
Still, every morning there was another cheerful message from her mom:
“Can’t wait to meet Ethan!”
“Should I make apple pie or brownies?”
“Does he eat gluten?”
By Sunday, Avei was a ball of stress and caffeine. She had a whole speech planned about how Ethan had been “reassigned overseas” and couldn’t come.
Her phone buzzed as she sipped her morning coffee.
It was her mom again.
“Oh, Avei, you won’t believe this!” her mom gushed. “He’s here!”
Avei frowned. “Who’s here?”
“Ethan! Your boyfriend! He’s so handsome, dear. Why didn’t you tell me he was this tall?”
Avei blinked. “Mom… that’s not funny.”
“It’s not a joke! He’s standing right in our living room.”
Avei nearly dropped her mug. “WHAT?!”
Panic exploded through her chest.
She threw on the first clothes she could find—jeans, a hoodie, mismatched socks—and bolted for the door.
Lina, startled, peeked out from the kitchen again. “Where’s the fire?”
“My mom’s house!” Avei shouted. “Apparently my imaginary boyfriend decided to show up for lunch!”
Lina blinked. “Wait—what?!”
But Avei was already halfway out the door.
She ran to her car, hands shaking as she fumbled the keys.
Every red light felt like a personal insult.
Her mind raced: Did someone catfish my mom? Did she hire an actor? Is this some weird prank?
She was so caught up in her spiraling thoughts she almost ran a red light, slamming on the brakes just in time. Her heart pounded. “Get it together, Avei,” she muttered. “You’re going to walk in there, figure out who this weirdo is, and—”
Then she saw him.
Standing on her parents’ porch.
Tall.
Dark hair.
Blue eyes.
Navy uniform.
The exact same man from the AI photo she had generated months ago.
He turned, as if he knew she was there.
Smiled that perfect, too-white smile.
And winked—right at her.
Avei’s stomach flipped. “No way,” she whispered.
Her mother rushed out, all excitement and curls. “Sweetheart! Isn’t he wonderful? Ethan was just telling us about life on the ship!”
Avei stared at him. “Was he now?”
Ethan—the fake Ethan—extended his hand. “You must be Avei,” he said in a smooth, calm voice. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
She didn’t take his hand. She just stared, pulse racing, trying to make sense of the impossible.
Lina’s joke from earlier echoed in her mind. Maybe AI can send him too.
Avei swallowed hard.
Because standing there, smiling like a dream come true, was a man who wasn’t supposed to exist.
And he had just called her by name.