It all started with a wedding invitation I couldn’t refuse. My best friend from college was getting married, and since we’d lost touch for a few years, I wasn’t sure how many of the old gang would be there. I could already picture it: a weekend surrounded by people who’d have their significant others by their side, leaving me to endure the endless questions about my relationship status. Desperate, I decided to ask my friend Sarah, someone I’d known casually through work, if she’d be my “pretend” girlfriend for the weekend.

Surprisingly, she agreed. Sarah was witty, charming, and never took anything too seriously. We’d always joked around and had a good connection, so it felt like she’d be the perfect person to play the role. We agreed on some ground rules and discussed our “backstory” over coffee. She had a sparkle in her eye that I couldn’t quite read, but I brushed it off as excitement for the little adventure we were about to share.

At the wedding, Sarah went all in on the role. She held my hand, laughed at my jokes, and leaned in close during conversations, making it all feel so natural. Throughout the night, people kept telling me how lucky I was, how amazing Sarah was, and how we looked perfect together. I knew it was all pretend, but my heart didn’t seem to care.

The weekend flew by, filled with inside jokes, quiet moments, and that unspoken chemistry between us. Each time she’d squeeze my hand or brush her shoulder against mine, I found myself wishing it were real. We laughed like we’d known each other forever, and her smile became something I looked for every time I entered a room.

By the time the weekend ended, I knew I was in trouble. The car ride home was filled with a comfortable silence, and when I finally dropped her off, I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye.

“Thanks for everything, Sarah. It was… really fun,” I managed, trying to keep it casual.

She looked up at me with a soft smile, hesitating for a second before saying, “It was fun… Maybe we could do it again sometime?” There was a glimmer in her eyes that told me she might feel the same way.

That weekend, what started as a game became something real for me. Now, I just have to find out if she feels it too.