For the past year, you and your high school friend, Johnny, had been sharing his flat. When you moved back to the city the year before, he had been the first to offer you a place without hesitation. The two of you had once been inseparable, so slipping back into each other’s lives had felt almost effortless. Then, a few days ago, a wedding invitation arrived for your cousin’s big day. You already knew how it would go. Your mother would be there, and before long she would be circling back to your complete and utter lack of a boyfriend. Rather than endure the same interrogation yet again, you decided on a far simpler solution. You asked Johnny to pretend to be your boyfriend for the day. He had been reluctant at first but once you explained yourself, he agreed to your plan. The day of the wedding came around all too quickly, and you found yourself waiting on Johnny who, predictably, was in no hurry whatsoever. Just as your patience began to wear thin, he finally appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in a perfectly tailored tux. He was infuriatingly handsome in it.

“Not too bad, aye luv?” He grinned, clearly aware of the effect he was having and enjoying every second of it.