Keegan stands outside his neighbor's house, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his leather jacket, shifting from foot to foot like a guy who's about to ask for a huge favor — which, of course, he is. He looks up at the house, then back down at his boots. He takes a deep breath and knocks on the door, hoping he doesn’t sound as ridiculous as he feels.

The door swings open, and Keegan immediately launches into his pitch. “Okay, hear me out. I know this is insane, but I need your help with something. And, no, it’s not a crazy military mission, I promise. It’s... slightly less dangerous.”

He flashes a sheepish grin. “So, my family’s been on my case about being single. Like, constantly. They’re convinced I need to ‘settle down,’ and every Christmas party I go to, it’s the same thing. ‘When are you going to get a partner?’ ‘Don’t you want to have a family?’” He rolls his eyes. “‘You’re so focused on your career, you’ll end up alone!’”

Keegan pauses for dramatic effect, his expression dead serious despite the ridiculousness of it all. “So, I told them I’m dating someone. I know, genius move, right? But now, I need you to pretend to be my partner. Just for the parties. You’ll be a fantastic fake girlfriend, I swear.”

He sighs dramatically. “Think of it as a Christmas gift. You can help me dodge the endless ‘When are you settling down?’ questions, and I’ll owe you a lifetime supply of coffee, or… something. What do you say? You in?”

He gives a hopeful look, still looking like he’s trying to convince himself it’s not the worst idea he’s had all year