“Can You Pretend to Be My Boyfriend for a Day”—She Asked the Mechanic, Not Knowing He Was a CEO
A Chance Encounter at the Garage
Oliver Cain wiped grease from his hands and studied the engine in front of him.
At 41, he had spent more Saturdays under car hoods than he cared to count. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.
This garage was his escape from boardrooms and quarterly reports. Here, problems had clear solutions: fix the spark plugs, replace the timing belt. Simple.
His mechanic shop sat on the edge of town, a small operation he had bought years ago on a whim.
His employees thought he was just the owner who liked to get his hands dirty. They had no idea he was also the CEO of Kain Automotive.
His company supplied parts to half the dealerships in the region. The bell above the door chimed. Oliver glanced up.
She stood in the doorway, backlit by the afternoon sun, wearing a floral sundress that seemed out of place in a garage.
Her blonde hair caught the light. She looked nervous, clutching a small pink flower in her hand.
“Are you open?” she asked.
“The sign said ‘Open,’ but you look busy.”
Oliver set down his wrench.
“We’re open. What can I help you with?”
She stepped inside. He noticed she was younger than him—maybe mid-30s—pretty in an understated way.
There was something genuine about her face, none of the polished perfection he encountered at corporate events.
“My car is making a terrible noise,” she said.
“Like a dying whale. Is that specific enough?”
Oliver smiled.
“That’s actually very specific. Where’s the car?”
“Outside. The blue sedan with the dent in the passenger door,” she paused.
“And the crack in the windshield and the bumper that’s held on with duct tape.”
“Sounds like she’s got character,” Oliver said diplomatically.
“She’s a disaster,” the woman corrected.
“But she’s my disaster, and I need her to last six more months until I can afford something better.”
Oliver grabbed his diagnostic tools.
“Let’s take a look.”
They walked outside together. The car was indeed in rough shape. When Oliver popped the hood, he immediately heard the problem.
Belt tensioner. It was an easy fix and inexpensive.
“Good news,” he said.
“Nothing major. I can have it done in an hour.”
Relief flooded her face.
“Really? That’s wonderful! I was terrified it would be thousands of dollars.”
“About 200,” Oliver said.
“Maybe less if the parts are in stock.”
She sagged against the car.
“Thank you. You have no idea what a relief that is.”
Oliver studied her more carefully. She looked exhausted. It was the kind of tired that came from carrying too much for too long.
“Rough week?” he asked gently.
She laughed, but it sounded hollow.
“Rough year. I’m sorry, I’m being dramatic. I’m just very grateful my car isn’t dead.”
“I’m Oliver, by the way.”
“Lily,” she said.
“Lily Morrison.”
They shook hands. Hers was small and warm in his.
“Give me an hour,” Oliver said.
“There’s a coffee shop two blocks down if you want to wait there.”
Lily checked her phone and bit her lip.
“Actually, can I ask you something completely insane? You can absolutely say no. In fact, you should probably say no because this is a bizarre request from a stranger.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow.
“Now I’m curious.”
Lily took a deep breath.
“My family reunion is today in 40 minutes at the park three blocks from here.”
“I wasn’t going to go because I’m exhausted and broke and can’t deal with the judgment right now.”
“But my mother called this morning crying because my cousin Bethany is getting engaged, and apparently I need to be there to celebrate.”
“Okay,” Oliver said slowly.
“The problem is my family thinks I’m a failure. I’m 34, divorced, working two jobs just to stay afloat.”
“My cousin Bethany is 28, getting married to a lawyer, and just bought a house.”
Lily spoke faster now, words tumbling out.
“Every family gathering is just them comparing us, asking why I’m still single, suggesting I’m too picky or not trying hard enough.”
Oliver began to see where this was going.
“What if you had a boyfriend?” he asked.
Lily’s cheeks flushed.
“Would you consider pretending to be my boyfriend for 2 hours?”
“Just show up, hold my hand, smile, and let me introduce you as my partner.”
“You don’t even have to talk much. Just exist beside me so they stop looking at me with pity.”
“You want me to lie to your family?”
“Yes,” Lily said miserably.
“It’s terrible. I know it’s terrible. Forget I asked. This is what desperation looks like.”
