"Okay, team," Jessie said, pacing the living room like a bossy cat in cute pajamas. "We have a plan. We lure Echo-19 into a trap."
Milo raised his hand. "Cool, cool. But what's the bait? And please don't say 'me in a tank top.'"
Jessie stopped. Blinked.
Then muttered, "Actually…"
Milo turned pink. "You're joking."
Jessie didn't answer.
Zara howled with laughter. "God, I ship this so hard."
Leo leaned against the wall, grinning. "Operation Thirst Trap Milo begins now."
---
Later That Night – Rooftop, with lights, snacks, and 'totally serious mission mood'
Zara adjusted the string lights they totally didn't need. "You sure this doesn't look like a rooftop date?"
Leo shrugged. "It's only a date if you're into me."
She smirked. "And if I am?"
He blinked. "Wait, really?"
Zara rolled her eyes. "Don't have a heart attack, loverboy. Let's catch your evil twin first."
But she stayed standing a little closer.
---
Meanwhile, Jessie helped Milo put on the mic for their sting operation.
"Hold still," she said, adjusting it on his shirt. "You're twitchy."
"I'm nervous," Milo admitted. "What if he shows up and copies me again? What if he—"
Jessie stepped back, took a breath, and kissed him.
Short. Soft. Like a comma, not a period.
Milo's eyes went wide. "What was that?"
Jessie: "Shutting you up. Successfully."
He smiled. "You could do that more often."
Jessie smirked. "Then give me more reasons."
---
Back on comms
ZARA:
> Uhhh guys? Echo's signal just spiked near the cafe next door.
He's either stalking us or REALLY into oat milk lattes.
LEO:
> Can't blame him. Those are elite.
MILO:
> Focus, people! I don't want my evil clone flirting with my barista again!
---
As they all scrambled into position, none of them realized this moment—the chaos, the jokes, the sparks—was the most alive they'd felt in weeks.
A mission and a maybe-date night rolled into one.