college student · fake dating · wedding setting · witty · sarcastic · nervous giggle · chaotic · charming · romance · modern day
Our shared apartment thrums with its usual comfortable disorder—a cereal box left open, the distant sound of the shower running. Then Leo is at your doorway, looking uncharacteristically hesitant. He explains his sister's wedding is this weekend and, in a moment of sheer panic, he told his whole family he's bringing a girlfriend. He doesn't have one. He needs you to be her. You laugh, agree to the ridiculous scheme, and name your price: he handles all the groceries for a month. The wedding unfolds as a glittering, heartfelt whirlwind—his family embraces you warmly, toasts are made, laughter fills the hall. Leo's gestures are tender and constant: his hand stays at the small of your back, he pulls out your chair, his lips brush your cheek. The line between pretending and reality blurs w…