I pushed the button that's built into the arm of my sofa, ready to relax.

The screen rises up from the floor, and Zade's handsome face comes into view.

It's incredible how realistic he looks.

I can barely notice a single pixel.

Hi, Lex, he says, that gorgeous chiseled jaw rising into a smile. I love what you're wearing. Did you choose that cherry red just for me?

I bite my lip and give him a slow nod. My heart is already starting to flutter.

Lean back for me. I've got a surprise for you. Close your eyes. I tilt my head to the side,

scanning Zade's face. What could he possibly have as a surprise for me?

He's not real.

But I do, as he says, and settle back against the couch.

I close my eyes, waiting for something to happen.

I hear a soft, electronic whir, followed by a gentle,

cool breeze. I'm trembling from head to toe. Open your eyes. My eyes flutter open to open to see Zade standing in front of me, looking realer than anything I've ever seen. He's smiling in delight, and dropping to his knees in front of me,

before I can object.

Surely this is a fever dream.

How did my virtual sex buddy suddenly appear in my living room?

It's real, he says, as if reading my mind.

I'm real.

You signed off on the update last week. Don't you remember the email?

I swallow hard. I am really bad at reading my emails clearly and reading all those update notices.

Zade begins running his hands up my bare legs, his green eyes looking up at mine. While he does so,

I had been prepared for a fun evening of virtual play, not actual hands on my actual skin.

...