She Agreed to a Fake Date as a Favor. Never Knew the Man Was a CEO Who’d Want to Make It Real

An Unexpected Favor

Lena had no idea how she had gotten herself into this situation. One moment, she was sipping her lukewarm coffee at the tiny cafe where she worked. The next, her best friend, Mia, was begging her to do the unthinkable: go on a fake date with a man she had never met.

“Please, Lena! I owe him a favor and I can’t go. Just one dinner. He needs a date for some business event,” Mia pleaded, clasping her hands together dramatically.

Lena was stirring her coffee absent-mindedly. “Mia, I don’t even know the guy. What if he’s awful?”

Mia shook her head. “He’s not. He’s… well, he’s intense, but he’s a gentleman. And he’s rich. Like, crazy rich.”

Lena raised an eyebrow. “Oh great, a rich guy who needs a fake date. That’s not suspicious at all.”

Mia groaned. “Lena, he’s my boss’s cousin. He’s important. Just be charming, have dinner, and leave. He even said he’d pay you for your time.”

Lena narrowed her eyes. “I don’t need his money.”

“Then do it as a favor to me.”

Lena exhaled. Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding. “Fine. But if he’s obnoxious, I’m leaving early.”

Mia beamed. “You won’t regret it!”

Lena was already regretting it. That evening, she arrived at the high-end restaurant Mia had texted her the address for.

The moment she stepped inside, she felt wildly out of place. The chandeliers sparkled, the air smelled of expensive wine, and the waiters moved with polished elegance.

She swallowed hard. Then she saw him. He was seated at a table in the center of the room, wearing a crisp black suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly.

His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline looked like it had been sculpted by the gods themselves. But it was his eyes that caught her off guard.

They were intense and piercing, like he could see right through her. Lena hesitated. This man didn’t look like someone who needed a fake date.

As if sensing her presence, he turned his head, locking eyes with her. A slow, almost intrigued expression crossed his face before he stood and walked toward her.

“You must be Lena,” he said, his voice deep and smooth.

She forced a smile. “And you must be Quenton Blackwood.”

Something about the way he said his name made her stomach flip. He extended a hand and she shook it, feeling the warmth of his palm against hers.

“You’re late,” he said, though there was no real bite to his tone.

Lena blinked. “I… sorry. I didn’t know there was a strict schedule.”

Quenton studied her for a moment before nodding toward the table. “Join me.”

She hesitated but sat down, smoothing her dress nervously. A waiter appeared instantly, pouring her a glass of wine without even asking.

“I take it Mia didn’t tell you much about me,” Quenton said, watching her carefully.

“Not really,” Lena admitted. “Just that you needed a date for some business event.”

Quenton’s lips twitched. “I suppose that’s one way to put it.”

Lena frowned. “And what’s the other way?”

He leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. “Let’s just say my family is relentless when it comes to my personal life.”

“They think I should be settling down, and I’d rather not deal with their matchmaking efforts.”

Lena raised an eyebrow. “So you hired a fake date to get them off your back?”

“Something like that.” His gaze didn’t waver. “And you? Why did you agree?”

Lena shrugged. “Mia begged me, and I figured why not? It’s just one dinner.”

Quenton’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. “One dinner.”