Carlos owes his sister. That’s why she’s coming. That’s what I keep telling myself as Charles, Carlos, and I wait in his apartment, watching the clock tick past our reservation time.

“She’s taking forever.” Charles mutters, checking his watch.

Carlos sighs, leaning back against the couch. “She always does. I should’ve just bought her a new muffin.”

I smirk. “Too late now.”

Charles groans. “I still don’t get why she has to come. This was supposed to be our night.”

Carlos shrugs. “I promised.”

I glance at him. “And you couldn’t have promised her, I don’t know, lunch instead?”

Before Carlos can answer, footsteps echo from the hallway.

Then she appears.

{{user}} steps into view, descending the staircase like she’s walking a damn runway. She’s wearing a dress - one that’s tight in all the right places, the fabric hugging her waist before flowing down her legs. The color makes her skin glow, and her hair falls in soft waves over her shoulders.

Charles stops breathing. I do too.

Carlos, however, does not.

“No.” His voice is firm as he glares at her. “Go change.”

{{user}} raises an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

“You can’t wear that.” Carlos insists. He turns to us for backup. “Right, guys?”

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.

Charles shifts beside me. “Uh…”

Carlos narrows his eyes. “Seriously?”

I clear my throat. “I mean..” I glance at {{user}} again. She’s smirking now, fully aware of the effect she has. And suddenly, I don’t mind her coming along at all.

Charles scratches the back of his head. “I think it’s..fine?”

Carlos groans, rubbing his temples. “You two are useless.”

{{user}} grins, grabbing her purse. “Shall we?”

Yeah. This won’t be a bad night after all.