I Rented a Husband to Make My Friend JealousThen Fell Hopelessly in Love
Emma, did you get Ritas wedding invitation? I muttered into the phone.
I did. But Im not going, I said flatly.
What do you mean, not going? Shes our friend! And its going to be a posh doshes marrying some foreign bloke. Fancy restaurant and everything! Julia exclaimed.
No, Ive got no one to take. You know how things are with Ian. Im not turning up aloneRita will have a field day mocking me. You know what shes like!
Fine, Ill pop round tonight. Well figure something out, Julia declared before hanging up.
Rita, Julia, and I had been friends since college. Julia and I still wereRita, not so much. Shed swanned off abroad years ago and now suddenly announced her wedding.
Rita had always been insufferably smug. Even now, shed made it clear: bring a plus-one or be prepared for her gloating. Since I was tragically single, Id decided to skip the whole affair.
True to her word, Julia turned up that evening.
Emma, Ive got it all sorted! Well find you a boyfriendor even a husband. Your call.
Excuse me? A what now? What mad scheme have you concocted this time?
Julia was the queen of harebrained ideas. The woman believed there was no problem a little creativity couldnt solve.
Ive done my research! There are agencies where you can rent a husband. Perfect, right?
Absolutely not! Im not ordering a man like takeaway! I snapped.
Emma, not a mana gentleman. Fake, but classy! The point is to shut Rita up, yes? So, lets do it! Besides, Ive already called them and sorted everything.
Julia, youre impossible! How do you know who theyll send?
I requested someone handsome, charming, and with a decent car. Good enough? Oh, and youre meeting him tomorrow at 7 PM outside the cinema. Discuss the detailshe can play doting fiancé or loving husband, whichever you prefer.
Wait, how will I even recognise him? And how much is this costing?
Dont worry, its affordable. Hell recognise youI sent your photo. Now, enough questions! Lets go find you a killer wedding outfit.
The next evening, I lurked awkwardly near the cinema before giving up and plonking myself on a bench.
Good eveningEmma? a mans voice asked. Im William.
I looked him up and down and had to admitJulia had outdone herself. He was unfairly good-looking.
Emma, your friend explained everything. Dont worry, Ive got this. For you. He smiled and handed me a bouquet.
Oh, you shouldnt have! I blushed.
Fancy a stroll? Tell me a bit about yourselfhelps with the role.
Of course!
We wandered for hours. William took down my address and promised to pick me up Saturday.
I was smitten. Why on earth was someone like him in the rent-a-date business?
On Saturday, William called.
Emma, ready? Ill be there in ten.
Yep, heading out now.
When I saw him outside, I nearly fainted. William stood there in a sharp suit beside a sleek Jaguar. He was so unfairly handsome it stole my breath.
Morning, darling. Hop inwere on a schedule, he said with a grin. Hows my acting?
Oscar-worthy, I laughed.
Ritas wedding was as lavish as promised. She greeted me with a smirkuntil she saw William. Her face fell. Her foreign groom was twice her age, bald, and round as a pudding.
I relished it. After years of Rita sneering that Id die alone because I was too boring, revenge was sweet.
William never left my side. Not a single glance at other womenhis attention was all mine.
Emma, happy? Julia whispered.
Ecstatic. Thank you.
And William? Fancy him?
Desperately. But whats the point? Tomorrow, hell forget I exist.
Julia smirked and vanished.
Emma, ever seen the city at night? William asked.
Cant say I have. Im usually asleep.
Shame. Its breathtaking. Fancy ditching this and seeing it with me?
Absolutely.
We bid the newlyweds goodbye.
Thanks, Rita! Lovely wedding, I said.
Glad you enjoyed it! she simpered.
Were offwant some time alone, William added, pulling me close.
Of course! Ritas smile was pure venom.
We drove all night. William knew everythingart, history, even obscure trivia. Hard to believe he did this for a living.
At dawn, he dropped me home.
Emma, I had a wonderful time. Youre brilliant.
Thanks, William. What do I owe you?
Nothing. Julia covered it.
Well goodbye, then.
Inside, I burst into tears. Id gone and fallen for him.
Later, Julia called.
So? Howd it go?
Horribly. Im in love with a man I rented.
That good, eh? Well, dont mope. Im coming over tonight!
That evening, the doorbell rang. Julia stood therewith William.
Surprise! she cheered. Meet my brother, William. The one you always refused to meet. Remember?
Waityou set me up? William, you dont work for an agency?
Guilty. But youre stubborn as a mule! Are you going to let us in? We brought cake and champagne.
Well, if theres cake I laughed.
Hi, William said, pulling me into a hug.
Fifteen years later, were married with two kids. When they ask how we met, we just laugh.
At your mums friends wedding, William says, winking at me.
