My Fake Boyfriend

Meet Ryder, the charming and handsome fake boyfriend I'd created to impress my nosy family and friends. Our fictional relationship began as a joke, but soon took on a life of its own. Ryder was perfect - chiseled features, piercing blue eyes, and a quick wit that left me giggling. His fictional backstory read like a rom-com script: former soldier turned successful entrepreneur, with a passion for hiking and cooking. Our first "date" was a coffee shop meet-cute, where Ryder swept me off my feet with his easy smile and thoughtful listening. Or so I imagined, as I posted i********: updates and gushing captions about our whirlwind romance. Friends and family ate it up, showering us with congratulations and curiosity. My mom even started planning our fictional wedding. But as Ryder's "existence" grew, so did the guilt. I felt like I was living a lie, especially when friends asked to meet him. That's when Max, my best friend and partner-in-crime, stepped in. He agreed to play Ryder, and our fake boyfriend came to life. Max, aka Ryder, exceeded expectations. He showed up at family gatherings, charming everyone with his effortless charm. Mom adored him, and even Dad was impressed. Our fake relationship became the stuff of legend, with friends green with envy. However, as time passed, the lines blurred. Max, as Ryder, started showing up unexpectedly, bringing flowers and thoughtful gifts. Our banter turned flirtatious, and I found myself wondering - what if? What if Ryder was real? What if this fake relationship was the start of something genuine? One evening, as Max and I sat on the beach, watching sunset, he turned to me and whispered, "You know, I think Ryder's grown on me." My heart skipped a beat. Was this the moment our fake boyfriend became the real deal? As I sat at my desk, scrolling through social media, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Everyone seemed to be in a relationship, posting adorable couple selfies and gushing about their significant others. My family and friends had started asking when I'd find someone special. The pressure was mounting. That's when I had an epiphany - create a fake boyfriend. It was genius. I'd craft the perfect partner, and no one would ever suspect a thing. I began building Ryder's profile, meticulously selecting his interests, hobbies, and physical characteristics. Tall, dark, and handsome, with piercing blue eyes and chiseled features. Ryder's backstory unfolded like a rom-com script. Former soldier turned successful entrepreneur, passionate about hiking and cooking. I chuckled, imagining the look on my mom's face when I introduced them. The fictional relationship began to feel tantalizingly real. With Ryder's profile complete, I crafted our meet-cute story. We met at a cozy coffee shop, bonding over our shared love of literature. Our whirlwind romance unfolded on social media, with carefully staged photos and saccharine captions. "Just spent the evening watching sunset with my love," I posted, accompanied by a photo of Ryder (actually a stock image). The responses poured in - congratulations, heart-eyed emojis, and eager questions about our relationship. My mom called, squealing with excitement. "Honey, I'm so happy for you! When can we meet Ryder?" I beamed, feeling triumphant. My fake boyfriend was already a hit. But as the days passed, maintaining the facade grew increasingly complicated. Friends asked to meet Ryder, and I scrambled to concoct excuses. That's when Max, my best friend and partner-in-crime, stepped in. "Hey, need help with Ryder?" he texted. "Desperately," I replied. Max agreed to play along, and our fake boyfriend came to life. Little did I know, this was only the beginning.