Rental Boyfriend : Make Me Fool

The kitchen smelled like burnt toast again. tipsy sat on the counter in her oversized hoodie, watching her roommate, Tipsy, wave a spatula dramatically at the smoke alarm. “Seriously, Lia,” Tipsy groaned, “if you move out and leave me alone with this stupid toaster, I’ll die within a week.” Lia rolled her eyes, hugging her mug. “I don’t want to leave you. I just… want a boyfriend. Someone who’ll watch movies with me, make pancakes, and maybe not burn down the apartment.” Tipsy froze, then turned slowly with the spatula still in her hand. “Ohhh. So it’s not independence you want… it’s romance.” Lia blushed. “Maybe.” Tipsy smirked, tossing the spatula onto the counter like a magician revealing a trick. She whipped out her phone. “Say no more. I have just the thing.” Lia leaned forward. “Please don’t say Tinder. I’ve had enough creeps sending me photos of their… pets.” “No, no,” Tipsy grinned, scrolling fast. “This one’s different. It’s called the BF App. Basically, you order a boyfriend like takeout. He shows up, plays the role for a few days, and then proof—gone. No heartbreak, no ghosting, just… subscription-based romance.” Lia nearly choked on her coffee. “That’s ridiculous! You can’t just… rent a man like an Uber.” Tipsy shoved the phone into her hands. “Watch me. Look—profiles, ratings, even package deals. Weekend boyfriends, dinner-date boyfriends, fake wedding date boyfriends. It’s genius.” Lia scrolled skeptically… then froze at a profile. A guy with messy hair, kind eyes, and a smile that didn’t look fake. Ethan, 5 stars. Description: “Good listener. Makes great omelets.” Her heart skipped. Tipsy noticed. “Ohhh, you like him. Should I book him for you? First boyfriend in the house. Think of it as a trial run.” Lia shoved the phone back, flustered. “I—I don’t need a trial boyfriend! That’s insane.” But later that night, lying in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ethan’s picture. And before she could talk herself out of it, her finger hovered over the glowing ‘Hire Now’ button… Click. ---