The Idea of a Rented Boyfriend
952 Words
Amelia Hart paced back and forth in her penthouse, the city lights casting long reflections across the polished floors. The invitation still sat on the coffee table, unopened for the second time, but her mind wasn’t on the wedding—at least, not entirely.
Instead, it kept wandering back to Ethan Black. That calm, confident smile. Those unreadable eyes. That brief handshake that somehow made her heartbeat stutter.
“Stop thinking about him,” she muttered, glaring at her reflection in the window. “He’s… a professional. He gets paid for this.”
“Or… maybe he’s more interesting than you expected,” Fiona said from the doorway, sipping her tea with a smirk.
Amelia groaned. “You’ve only made it worse.”
Fiona leaned against the doorframe. “He’s the perfect candidate. Handsome, sophisticated, calm under pressure. You’ll survive your family without making a scene. It’s genius.”
“I still feel ridiculous,” Amelia replied. “Hiring someone to pretend to be my boyfriend. It’s… absurd.”
“Not absurd. Strategic,” Fiona corrected, eyes sparkling. “Trust me, if I had someone like Ethan at my sister’s wedding, I would’ve been the star of the family for a whole weekend. Everyone impressed, no awkward questions, no comments about ‘why aren’t you dating?’—total victory.”
Amelia tapped her fingers on the edge of the marble table. She hated admitting it, but part of her wanted the weekend to go smoothly. To keep her life private, controlled, perfect. And maybe, just maybe, she was curious about Ethan—if only professionally.
⸻
Later that day, Amelia logged back into the premium matchmaking service. She reread Ethan’s message and scrolled through his profile again. His picture was… almost too perfect, yet somehow approachable. There were no exaggerated bios, no fake hobbies listed to seem interesting. Just… him.
She clicked “Accept Meeting” with a mix of hesitation and anticipation. The system pinged almost immediately:
“Booking confirmed. Shall we finalize details? I am available this Thursday for a contract discussion.”
Amelia frowned at the formality. Contract discussion? She had expected a casual coffee, not a business agreement. But a small thrill ran through her. Somehow, this made everything feel… real.
⸻
Thursday afternoon, Amelia found herself sitting across from Ethan again, this time in a quiet, upscale office rented specifically for their meeting. The scent of fresh flowers filled the room, and Amelia tried to calm her nerves.
Ethan arrived promptly, just as composed and impeccably dressed as the first day. He extended his hand politely.
“Amelia,” he said smoothly. “Good to see you again. Shall we discuss the weekend?”
Amelia hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. Let’s…” She gestured to the table, trying to sound confident, “…discuss the terms.”
Ethan smiled faintly, eyes twinkling. “Straight to business. I like that.”
They went over the details: duration of appearances, photos, the level of affection required, and boundaries. Amelia was surprised at how professional he was, treating her not as a client in need of a date, but as a partner in a contract.
When they finished, Ethan leaned back in his chair. “You understand, of course, that this is purely professional.”
Amelia’s lips curved into a small smile. “Of course. Professional.” She tried not to notice how easily he made her heart race.
He studied her silently for a moment. “I’ll do my best to ensure your family is impressed—and that no awkward questions are asked.”
Amelia couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s… comforting, actually.”
⸻
The following week, preparations were in full swing. Amelia made lists, chose outfits, and rehearsed conversations in her head. And all the while, Ethan remained a calm presence at her side, answering her questions, offering subtle advice, and somehow making the chaos feel manageable.
One evening, while reviewing a seating chart for the rehearsal dinner, Amelia looked up to find Ethan leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a faint smirk on his face.
“Thinking about how to survive your family?” he asked, voice low and teasing.
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Very funny. You’ve only been in my life for a week, and somehow you make everything more complicated.”
He stepped closer. “Complicated can be fun.”
She froze for a brief moment, startled by the hint of mischief in his tone. “Fun?”
“Not all relationships need to be boring,” he said, casually adjusting the cuff of his sleeve. “Even the temporary ones.”
Amelia blinked, trying to focus on the seating chart, but her gaze kept drifting to him. “Temporary,” she repeated softly, almost like a warning.
Ethan’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “Exactly. Temporary. Nothing more.”
And yet, even as he said it, Amelia felt something stir deep within her—a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and… something else she wasn’t ready to name.
⸻
By the time the wedding weekend arrived, Amelia was nervous but strangely excited. Ethan’s presence was a steadying force, and the thought of facing her family with him at her side made her feel… empowered. She caught herself sneaking glances at him, noting the way he carried himself, the subtle way he made her feel safe yet intrigued.
Little did she know, Ethan Black was more than a professional companion. Beneath that composed exterior was a secret that could change everything—and the weekend would bring them closer than either of them expected.
For now, though, Amelia told herself: He’s just a rented boyfriend. Professional. Temporary. Nothing more.
Or is he?
- Writer
