It all started as a favor — simple, harmless, “just for the night,” you’d told yourself. Angela needed the guest list to stay tight and the seating chart even tighter, and of course, you didn’t want to show up solo to her wedding.

So when Tim offered to be your plus-one — strictly as friends — it made sense.

You are partners.

You trusted him. It was fine.

Except you didn’t anticipate how good he’d look in a tux.

Or how natural it would feel when his hand settled at the small of your back during the ceremony, or when he pulled your chair out for you at the reception like it was instinct.

You definitely didn’t expect the teasing.

Angela raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of the two of you swaying a little too close during the slow dance.

“I thought this was a ‘just friends’ situation,” she said, sipping champagne as she slid up next to you on the dance floor.

You tried to play it cool. “It is.”

She smirked. “Mmm. Right. That’s why he hasn’t let go of your hand since dinner.”

You glanced down — and sure enough, Tim’s fingers were still laced with yours, thumb gently stroking your skin.

You hadn’t even noticed.

“You make a cute couple,” Lucy chimed in from behind you, grinning.

“Just saying. Fake dating looks very real on you.”