Lena checked her watch for the third time\u2014late, again. She hurried down the hotel hallway, the air scented with lilies and citrus, a reminder of her best friend’s wedding last week.<\/p>\n
Reaching the elevator, she pressed the button impatiently. Just as the doors began to close, a man rushed in, bumping her shoulder. He chuckled and apologized.<\/p>\n
The elevator jerked, the lights flickering. Lena pressed the button repeatedly, but nothing happened. The man sighed, leaning against the wall. “Classic,” he said.<\/p>\n
He introduced himself as Dylan, the groom’s best friend, and asked if she might be interested in joining him as a fake date for an upcoming wedding. Lena, stunned, agreed.<\/p>\n
At the wedding, Dylan played the role of a perfect companion, his charm making it feel real. But when Lena saw Dylan with his ex, Maya, jealousy crept in. She excused herself, deciding to leave.<\/p>\n
The next morning, Lena bumped into Dylan again, and he confessed he didn\u2019t want the night to end. “I care about you,” he said. She hesitated, but the pull between them was undeniable. For once, she stopped overthinking and gave in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"