I Agreed to Be Her Fake Fiancé at a High School Reunion — Then I Uncovered the Dark Secret She Was Running From
Chapter 1
Daniel Reed had known Emma Collins for thirteen years.
That was long enough to understand when she was nervous.
Emma became unusually quiet.
She rubbed the edge of her left sleeve with her thumb.
And when something really frightened her, she smiled.
She was doing all three when she showed up at Daniel’s apartment on a Friday evening carrying a garment bag.
He opened the door.
“You look worried.”
Emma smiled.
“I need a favor.”
Daniel stepped aside.
“That sentence has never ended well.”
She walked in.
He closed the door.
“What happened?”
Emma put the garment bag on the couch.
“My high school reunion is tomorrow.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Okay.”
“I need a fiancé.”
He blinked.
“A what?”
“A fake fiancé.”
Daniel laughed.
She didn’t.
He stopped laughing.
“You’re serious.”
“Very.”
He looked at the garment bag.
Then back at her.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t show up alone.”
“Why not?”
Emma sighed.
“Because everyone from high school thinks I failed.”
Daniel frowned.
“Failed at what?”
“Everything.”
She sat down.
“You remember Brad?”
“The quarterback?”
“Yes.”
“The guy who cheated on you?”
Emma nodded.
“He and I broke up senior year.”
“I remember.”
“He was supposed to marry me.”
“You were eighteen.”
“I know.”
“He was also an idiot.”
“I know.”
Daniel waited.
Emma looked down.
“Now he’s a successful surgeon.”
Daniel said nothing.
“And his wife is going to be there.”
“So?”
“So everyone thinks I never moved on.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You run a successful architecture firm.”
“Nobody from high school knows that.”
“That’s impossible.”
“I moved away.”
“Emma.”
She sighed.
“There’s more.”
“Of course there is.”
She looked at him.
“Brad told everyone last year that I was probably still single because I never got over him.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Seriously?”
“Apparently.”
“Then let them think you’re single.”
“I don’t want them laughing at me.”
“They’re thirty-five, Emma.”
“Exactly.”
She rubbed her forehead.
“I know this is ridiculous.”
“It is.”
“Will you do it?”
Daniel leaned against the counter.
“Why me?”
“Because I trust you.”
“You could hire an actor.”
“I don’t want an actor.”
“Why?”
“Because an actor would disappear when the evening ended.”
Daniel smiled.
“And you think I won’t?”
“No.”
She looked directly at him.
“I know you won’t.”
That answer disarmed him.
Their friendship had always been easy.
They met during college.
Emma had been studying architecture.
Daniel had been studying business.
They somehow became inseparable.
They had traveled together.
Helped each other through breakups.
Shared rent once during a difficult year.
They had seen each other at their worst.
Yet somehow, they had never crossed the line.
At least, not officially.
Daniel knew Emma better than anyone.
He also knew what happened after her high school relationship ended.
She stopped dating seriously.
Whenever someone asked why, she joked about being too busy.
Daniel had never questioned it.
Not until now.
He finally asked:
“What exactly do you want me to do?”
“Come with me.”
“As your fiancé?”
“Yes.”
“Hold your hand?”
“Yes.”
“Kiss you?”
She hesitated.
“Only if necessary.”
He laughed.
“Necessary?”
“These people are observant.”
“You realize this is insane.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
She looked genuinely scared.
That mattered.
“Fine.”
Her eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
Then, for the first time that evening, she looked relieved.
“Thank you.”
Daniel pointed at the garment bag.
“What’s in there?”
“My dress.”
“Okay.”
“You’re going to need a suit.”
“I own one.”
“You own one suit?”
“I’m not pretending to be a billionaire.”
She laughed.
“Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow.”
Emma stood.
She walked toward the door.
Then she stopped.
“Daniel?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for not making fun of me.”
“I did.”
“Not enough to hurt.”
He smiled.
“Never.”
She nodded.
Then left.
Daniel closed the door.
He stood there for several seconds.
He wasn’t worried about pretending to be her fiancé.
He was worried about how natural it might feel.
