I rented a husband to make my friend green with envy, then hopelessly fell in love with him.
“Emma, did you get the invitation from Sophie?”
“I did. But Im not going to the wedding,” I muttered into the phone.
“What do you mean, not going? Shes our friend, and its going to be a posh affairshes marrying a foreigner, after all! The receptions at the fanciest place in town!” exclaimed Lydia.
“No, Ive got no one to go with. You know how things are with Peter. I wont go aloneSophie will laugh at me, you know what shes like!”
“Fine, Ill pop round tonight. Well figure something out,” Lydia said before hanging up.
Sophie, Lydia, and I had been friends since uni. Lydia and I still were, but Sophie had drifted away after moving abroad years ago. Now, out of the blue, shed sent us wedding invites.
Sophie had always been smug and haughty, even now, insisting we bring partners. I had none, so I refused to go and be her laughingstock.
Lydia arrived that evening as promised.
“Emma, Ive got it! Well find you a boyfriendor a husband. Whichever you prefer!”
“Excuse me? What husband? What mad idea have you cooked up now?”
Lydia was a whirlwind of schemes, the sort who believed no problem was unsolvable.
“I looked into itthere are agencies where you can rent a husband! Perfect, right?”
“No! Absolutely not! Hiring a man is a step too far,” I snapped.
“Emma, not a mana gentleman! Even if hes pretend! Whats the goal? To wipe that smirk off Sophies face, yes? So go for it! Besides, Ive already rung them and sorted everything!”
“Lydia, youre impossible! How do you even know who theyll send?”
“I requested someone handsome, charming, and with a decent car. Good enough? Youre meeting him tomorrow at 7 pm outside the cinema. Discuss the detailshe can play doting husband or fiancé, your pick.”
“Wait, how will I recognise him? And how much does this cost?”
“Dont worry, its not much. Hell recognize youI sent your photo. Enough questions! Lets go find you a wedding outfit!”
The next evening, I waited nervously by the cinema. After pacing, I sat on a bench.
“Good eveningEmma?” a stranger asked. “Im James.”
I looked him over and was pleasantly surprised. Lydia was righthe was strikingly handsome.
“Emma, your friend explained everything. Dont worry, Ill play the part perfectly. These are for you.” He smiled, offering 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 before James took my address, promising to collect me Saturday.
I was smitten. Why would someone like him do this for a living?
On Saturday, James called.
“Emma, ready? Ill be there in ten.”
“Im coming now.”
Seeing him by his sleek car, I nearly fainted. He stood there in a sharp suit, breathtakingly handsome.
“Morning, love! Hop inwere running late,” he said with a grin. “How am I doing?”
“Brilliantly,” I laughed.
Sophies wedding was lavish. She greeted me smuglyuntil she saw James. Her smile vanished. Her foreign groom was twice her age, bald, and portly.
I gloated inwardly. Sophie had always mocked me, saying Id never marry because I was too plain and shy.
Maybe she was right. But today, I proved her wrong. James never left my side, ignoring every other woman.
“Emma, happy?” Lydia whispered.
“Delighted. Thank you!”
“And James? Like him?”
“Too much. But tomorrow, hell forget me,” I sighed, wishing the night wouldnt end.
Lydia smirked and slipped away.
“Emma, ever seen the city at night?” James asked.
“Never. Im usually asleep.”
“Youre missing out. Fancy ditching this and seeing it?”
“Love to.”
We bid farewell to the newlyweds.
“Sophie, everything was wonderful!” I said.
“Really? Enjoyed it?”
“Absolutely! But were offmy wife and I want some time alone,” James said, pulling me close.
“Oh? Well, dont let me keep you! Lovely meeting your husband,” Sophie said, shooting me a venomous look.
We drove through the night, James sharing stories. I marvelled at his intelligenceunexpected for a rented date.
By dawn, he dropped me home.
“Emma, Ive had a wonderful time. Youre amazing.”
“Thank you, James. What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. Lydia already paid.”
“Thank yougoodbye,” I said, stepping out.
Inside, I cried. Id fallen for him. Later, Lydia called.
“So? Howd it go?”
“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. Lydia stood therewith James.
“Surprise!” she cheered. “Meet my brother, James, who you kept refusing to meet. How many times did I offer?”
“Waityou tricked me? James, you dont work for an agency?”
“We did! How else? Youre stubborn as a mule! Going to leave us on the doorstep? Weve got cake and champagne!”
“Well, if theres cake Fine, come in,” I laughed.
“Hello,” James smiled, hugging me.
Fifteen years on, were married with two children. When they ask how we met, we laugh.
“At Mummys friends wedding,” James says, winking at me.
