I THOUGHT PRETENDING TO BE SOMEONE’S GIRLFRIEND AT A WEDDING WOULD BE FUN – THEN I MET HIS EX
I never imagined I’d say yes to something so impulsive—until I got stuck in an elevator with a stranger who changed everything.
It happened when I was running late for dinner, flustered and tired, and the elevator at the Royal Marlowe stalled between floors. That’s when I noticed him—Dylan. Calm, confident, and impossibly charming. We talked while waiting for help, and by the time we stepped out, he asked if I’d be his fake date to a wedding. His ex would be there, and he didn’t want to show up alone. On a whim, I said yes.
The next day, dressed to impress, we headed to the vineyard, rehearsed our backstory, and braced ourselves for curious glances. But nothing prepared me for seeing her. Stephanie—his ex, and my old middle school bully. She recognized me instantly, and her snide comments came just as easily. But Dylan shut her down, defending me in front of everyone. “You haven’t changed,” he told her, and I felt something shift inside me.
We danced. We laughed. And when he asked if we should keep pretending, I kissed him instead.
That elevator wasn’t just a glitch—it was the start of something real. Months later, we’re still together. No pretending. Just us.
Sometimes, the best stories begin in the most unexpected places.
