I hired a husband to make my friend jealous, then ended up hopelessly falling for him.
Emma, did you get the invite from Sophie?
Yeah, but Im not going, I said into the phone.
What do you mean youre not going? Shes our friend! Plus, its going to be a posh weddingshes marrying a foreigner. Fancy restaurant and everything! Lucy insisted.
No, I dont have a plus-one. You know things with Mark are over. Im not turning up aloneSophie will have a field day mocking me!
Alright, Ill swing by tonight. Well figure something out, Lucy said before hanging up.
Sophie, Lucy, and I had been friends since uni. Lucy and I stayed close, but Sophie had moved abroad years ago and barely kept in touch. Now she was back, flaunting her upcoming wedding.
Sophie had always been smug and full of herself. Even now, she made sure to invite us *with* partners, rubbing it in that I was single. Id rather skip the whole thing than be her punchline.
True to her word, Lucy showed up that evening.
Emma, Ive got a plan! Well find you a boyfriendor a husband. Whichever you prefer.
What? What kind of nonsense is this now? Lucy was always coming up with mad schemeshalf the time, they left me dizzy.
Listen, there are agencies where you can *rent* a husband! Perfect, right?
No way! Hiring a bloke? Thats desperate!
Not a blokea *gentleman*. A posh one, in a nice car. More than enough to shut Sophie up, yeah? I already called, and its sorted. Hell meet you tomorrow at the cinema at seven. You can decide if he plays doting fiancé or loving husbandyour call.
Wait, how do I even recognise him? And how much does this cost?
Relax, its affordable. Hell find *you*I sent your photo. Now, enough questions. Lets go pick your wedding outfit!
The next evening, I waited nervously outside the cinema. After a minute, a man approached. Good evening. Emma? Im William.
I gave him a quick once-over. Lucy wasnt kiddinghe was *ridiculously* handsome.
Emma, your friend explained everything. Dont worry, Ill play the part perfectly. For you. He smiled and handed me a bouquet.
Oh, you didnt have to! I flushed.
Fancy a walk? Tell me a bit about yourselfhelps with the act.
We strolled for hours. By the end, William had my address and a promise to pick me up Saturday.
I was buzzing. He was lovelywhy on earth was he in this line of work?
Saturday came, and William called. Emma, ready? Ill be there in ten.
When I stepped outside, I nearly choked. There he wasdressed in a sharp suit, leaning against a sleek BMW. He looked like hed walked out of a bloody rom-com.
Morning, love. Hop inwere running late, he said with a wink. Hows my acting?
Oscar-worthy, I laughed.
Sophies wedding *was* posh. She greeted me with a smug grinuntil she saw William. Her face fell. Her foreign groom was twice her age, bald, and paunchy.
For once, I felt smug too. Sophie had always sneered that Id never marrytoo plain, too boring. Well, jokes on her.
William stuck to me all night, ignoring every other woman.
Emma, happy? Lucy whispered.
Ecstatic.
And William? Fancy him?
Obviously. But whats the point? Tomorrow, hell forget I exist. I wished the night would never end.
Lucy just smirked and vanished.
Emma, ever seen the city at night? William asked.
No, Im usually asleep.
Shame. Its stunning. Fancy sneaking off?
We said quick goodbyes. Thanks, Sophie! Lovely wedding, I said.
Glad you enjoyed it!
We did. But wed like some time alone, William said, pulling me close.
Sophies smile tightened. Of course. Lovely to meet your husband.
We drove all night. William knew *everything*art, history, music. Hard to believe he did this for a living.
By dawn, he dropped me home. Emma, I had a wonderful time. Youre brilliant.
Thanks, William. How much do I owe you?
Nothing. Lucy already sorted it.
Oh. Well goodbye, then. I walked inside and burst into tears.
When Lucy called later, I groaned. Im a mess.
You *like* him, dont you?
Of course I do! But whats the point? I cant *rent* him forever!
Stop moping. Get some sleepIll see you tonight.
That evening, the doorbell rang. There stood Lucyand William.
Surprise! Lucy hugged me. Meet my brother, William. The one you *refused* to let me set you up with for years.
Waitthis was a *setup*? William, you dont actually?
Guilty, he grinned. But how else were we supposed to get through to you? Youre stubborn as a mule.
You absolute! Alright, fine. Come in, then.
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.
