The Fake Wedding That Came With Real Vows

A year after Easton Carter turns down my 99th proposal, he calls me in the middle of the night, crying like his world's falling apart.

He says his grandmother is dying and her last wish is to see him married.

He tells me he's finally ready. He's already ordered the dress and booked the venue.

But when I show up at the venue in my wedding dress, his friends burst out laughing.

"You actually believed that? And you even swapped the cheap dress he ordered for a custom-made one? You're the queen of pathetic!"

Then one of them yells, "Look, the groom's side piece showed up to crash the wedding!"

"Security, come get this homewrecker!"

Guests turn to stare like they're watching a joke unfold.

Easton doesn't even look at me. He turns to the woman he loves and says, "I told you I'd ruin this wedding for you. I meant it. If you can't have him, no one will!"

She gives him a satisfactory smile.

Then, he finally glances at me.

"Tina said you did her a favor today. When we get married, you can be the bridesmaid, and you can still spend time with us after that."

So, he brought me here just to help his sweetheart ruin her crush's wedding.

But when Easton finally looks up at the wedding banner and realizes that I'm the bride, his eyes flare with rage.

Security grabbed my shoulder, and only then did the realization finally hit me.

This was another cruel joke.

Easton Carter quickly pushed the guards away, forcing a smile and saying to the guests, "Sorry, everyone. Big misunderstanding! She's my friend. Just a little prank today."

After the security guards left while grumbling, Easton smoothed the wrinkles on my dress as if he were concerned.

"Wanda, are you okay?"

His friends burst out laughing.

"You really nailed it, Easton! One phone call and she came running!"

"No kidding. This dress looks expensive. Didn't you say you got her a 99-dollar dress online?"

"She really is a lovesick fool. She paid for her own wedding dress! She must be desperate to marry you!"

The spotlight in the banquet hall lit up my face. The murmuring among the guests grew louder, each word worse than the last.

I felt my heart sink lower and lower.

Easton raised his hand and pretended to scold his friends, "Wanda did me a huge favor today. Show her some respect!"

Then, he turned to me with a gentle smile. "Thank you for helping."

For a moment, I thought maybe he finally felt a shred of guilt. But then, he rubbed his hands together and said with excitement, "Tina really appreciated what you did for her. When we get married, you'll be our bridesmaid!"

Then, he leaned in close and whispered, "She even said she wouldn't mind if you continued hanging around me. Not a wasted trip today, right?"

His friends laughed again.

"Easton, don't get too close to her or she'll think you're