Lara had always dreaded family gatherings, mostly because her sister Emily never missed an opportunity to tease her about being single. Determined to avoid Emily’s snide remarks at their father’s upcoming birthday dinner, Lara came up with a plan: she hired Jake, a charismatic and understanding man, to pretend to be her boyfriend for the evening.
Jake played his part flawlessly, effortlessly charming Lara’s family with his wit and easy-going nature. As they all sat down for dessert, the evening took an unexpected turn when Jake stood up to make a toast. His eyes met Lara’s as he began to speak.
“I’d like to raise a glass,” Jake started, smiling warmly. “First, to the birthday man—happy birthday, sir! May this year bring you all the happiness you deserve.” Then, he turned his attention to Lara. “But I also want to toast to Lara, the most incredible woman I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. You’re smart, kind, and your laugh is truly contagious. From the moment we met, I’ve been in awe of you, and that hasn’t changed.”
Lara was taken aback, deeply moved by Jake’s unexpected words. Overwhelmed with emotion, she quietly thanked him. It was in that moment Jake confessed that his feelings were real, not part of their act.
What began as a simple charade quickly blossomed into something genuine. Months later, Lara and Jake were still happily together, keeping the real story of how they met a secret from the family—especially Emily, to avoid further teasing.