Rented a Fake Boyfriend to Make My Friend Jealous – Then Fell Hopelessly in Love with Him

“Rented a Husband to Make My Friend Jealous, Then Fell Hopelessly in Love

‘Emma, did you get the invitation from Rebecca?’

‘I did. But Im not going to that wedding,’ I said into the phone.

‘What do you mean youre not going? Shes our friend, and its going to be a posh affairshes marrying a foreigner, after all. Well be celebrating at the finest restaurant!’ Lucy insisted.

‘No, Ive got no one to go with. You know how things are with Daniel. I wont go aloneRebecca will just laugh at me, you know how she is!’

‘All right, Ill come over tonight. Well figure something out,’ Lucy said before hanging up.

Rebecca, Lucy, and I had been friends since college. Lucy and I stayed close, but Rebecca and I drifted apart after she moved abroad years ago. Now, shed invited us to her wedding.

Rebecca had always been arrogant and full of herself. Even now, shed made it clear she expected us to bring plus-ones. I didnt have one, so I decided not to gono way was I giving her more ammunition to mock me.

True to her word, Lucy showed up that evening.

‘Emma, Ive got it all sorted! Well find you a boyfriendor a husband. Whichever you prefer.’

‘What? What husband? What on earth have you come up with now?’

Lucy was always full of wild ideas, the kind of person who believed no problem was unsolvable.

‘I looked into itthere are agencies where you can rent a husband! Perfect, right?’

‘No way! Hiring a man is absolute madness!’ I snapped.

‘Emma, not just any mana proper gentleman, even if hes temporary! Isnt the whole point to make Rebecca green with envy? So go for it! Besides, Ive already called them and sorted everything.’

‘Lucy, youre impossible! How do I even know who theyll send?’

‘I booked you a handsome, charming bloke in a respectable car. Good enough? Youre meeting him tomorrow at 7 PM outside the cinema. Discuss the detailshe can play the doting husband or fiancé, whatever you want.’

‘Wait, how will I recognize him? And how much does this cost?’

‘Dont worry, its not expensive. Hell recognize youI sent your photo. Enough questions! Lets go pick out your wedding outfit.’

The next evening, I headed to meet my ‘rental husband.’ After lingering near the cinema entrance, I sat on a bench.

‘Good evening, are you Emma?’ a stranger asked. ‘Im James.’

I sized him up and was pleasantly surprised. Lucy was righthe was gorgeous.

‘Emma, your friend explained everything. Dont worry, Ive got this. For you.’ James smiled and handed me a lovely bouquet.

‘Oh, you shouldnt have!’ I blushed.

‘Fancy a walk? Tell me a bit about yourselfhelps with the act.’

‘Of course!’

We strolled through the city for hours. Before leaving, James took my address and said hed pick me up on Saturday.

I was smitten. He was perfectwhy on earth was he in this line of work?

On Saturday, James called.

‘Emma, ready? Ill be there in ten.’

‘Yes, just heading out.’

Seeing him outside my flat, I nearly swooned. James stood by a sleek car in an immaculate suit, so handsome it stole my breath.

‘Morning, love! Hop inwere running late,’ he said with a grin. ‘How am I doing?’

‘Brilliantly!’ I laughed.

Rebeccas wedding was as lavish as promised. She greeted me with a smug smileuntil she saw James. It vanished instantly. Her foreign groom was twice her age, bald, and portly.

I couldnt help feeling smug. Rebecca had always mocked me, saying Id never marry because I was too plain and shy. Maybe she was rightbut not today.

James never left my side, his attention unwavering.

‘Emma, happy?’ Lucy whispered.

‘Yes, thank you!’

‘And James? Fancy him?’

‘Completely. But whats the point? Tomorrow, hell forget me,’ I sighed, wishing the night wouldnt end.

Lucy smirked and slipped away.

‘Emma, ever seen the city at night?’ James asked.

‘No, Im usually asleep.’

‘Shame. Its breathtaking. Fancy sneaking off to see it?’

‘Yes!’

We said our goodbyes to the newlyweds.

‘Thank you, Rebecca! Everything was stunning,’ I said.

‘Glad you enjoyed it!’

‘Were offmy wife and I need some time alone,’ James said, pulling me close.

‘Of course! Lovely to meet your husband,’ Rebecca said, shooting me a daggered look.

We drove through the night, James sharing fascinating stories. I wondered how someone so intelligent ended up in this job.

At dawn, he dropped me home.

‘Emma, I loved meeting you. Youre wonderful.’

‘Thank you, James. How much do I owe you?’

‘Nothing. Lucy already paid.’

‘Thank you again. Goodbye,’ I said, stepping out.

Inside, I burst into tears. Id fallen for him.

Later, Lucy called.

‘So? Howd it go?’

‘Absolutely awful,’ I groaned.

‘You liked him?’

‘Of course! But whats the point? I cant rent him forever.’

‘Cheer up. Sleep, then expect me tonight!’

That evening, the doorbell rang. Lucy stood therewith James.

‘Surprise!’ she cheered, hugging me. ‘Meet my brother, James. The one you always refused to meet. How many times did I offer?’

‘Waityou set me up? James, you dont work for an agency?’

‘Guilty! How else to break through your stubbornness? Going to leave us on the doorstep? Weve got cake and champagne!’

‘Well, if theres cake Fine, come in,’ I laughed.

‘Hi,’ James smiled, pulling me into a hug.

Fifteen years later, James and I are happily married with two children. When they ask how we met, we just laugh. ‘At your mums friends wedding,’ James says, winking at me.”