Single Mom Sat Alone at the Wedding — Until the CEO Appeared and Whispered “Pretend We’re a Couple”
A Pretend Couple at the Garden Wedding
The delicate cream-colored wedding invitation trembled in Meline Porter’s hands as she sat alone in the third row of elegantly arranged white chairs. The sprawling garden of the Westbrook estate buzzed with excitement around her.
Women in pastel dresses and men in crisp suits were mingling effortlessly. Champagne flutes were clinking together in celebratory toasts.
Jennifer Baldwin was her former college roommate and one of the few friends who had stood by her through the hardest years. She was about to marry into one of Connecticut’s wealthiest families.
This was a world that Meline, a 34-year-old single mother working as a hospital nurse, had never truly belonged to. “Just blend in,” she whispered to herself.
She smoothed down the only formal dress she owned. It was a navy blue number she’d purchased on clearance for a cousin’s wedding four years earlier.
The June afternoon sun beat down mercilessly. It made her wish she’d worn something lighter and more fitting for the occasion.
She wanted something that wouldn’t make her feel so obviously out of place among the designer outfits surrounding her. Meline checked her watch.
There were 15 minutes until the ceremony began. That meant 15 minutes of sitting alone while other guests chatted about summer homes and European vacations.
Her daughter Sophia had been selected as one of the junior bridesmaids. She was currently inside the estate preparing with the bridal party.
Pride swelled in Meline’s chest at the thought. Her daughter had thrived despite the father who had walked out when Sophia was just seven.
She had thrived despite the long nights working double shifts and the tiny apartment they called home. “Is this seat taken?”
A deep voice pulled her from her thoughts. Meline looked up and felt her breath catch.
Standing beside her was a tall man in an impeccably tailored charcoal suit that screamed custom-made. His dark hair was touched with silver at the temples.
His eyes, a striking steel blue, were fixed on her with unexpected intensity. “I… no,” she managed, gesturing to the empty chair beside her.
“It’s free.” He sat down with a graceful ease that spoke of someone completely comfortable in his own skin.
“Jackson Hayes,” he said, extending his hand. The name registered immediately.
Jackson Hayes was the founder and CEO of Hayes Innovations, one of the largest tech companies on the East Coast. His face occasionally appeared in the business section of newspapers.
He was on the local news when his company announced some groundbreaking advancement. If Meline remembered correctly from Jennifer’s excited phone calls, he was the cousin of the groom.
“Madeline Porter,” she replied. She hoped her palm wasn’t sweaty as she shook his hand.
“Porter,” he repeated thoughtfully. “You must be Sophia’s mother.”
Surprise flickered across her features. “You know my daughter?”
A warm smile transformed his face. “Jennifer showed me photos from the bridal shower,” he explained.
“She speaks very highly of your daughter.” “She says she’s remarkably poised for 14.”
Before Meline could respond, a woman in a silk dress approached. Her perfect smile faltered slightly as her gaze moved from Jackson to Meline.
“Jackson, darling, the Hendersons are looking for you.” “They want to discuss the summer gala.”
Her eyes lingered on Meline with thinly veiled curiosity. “Thank you, Vivien; I’ll find them shortly,” he replied politely but dismissively.
As Vivien walked away with a backward glance, Jackson leaned closer to Meline. The subtle, woodsy scent of his expensive cologne enveloped her.
“I apologize for what I’m about to suggest,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. “But would you mind terribly if we pretended to be a couple for the next few hours?”
Meline stared at him, certain she had misheard. “Excuse me?”
His expression remained earnest. “I know it’s unorthodox, but I have my reasons.”
“Good ones, I promise.” “Why would you?” Meline began to ask.
“Mrs. Caldwell, Vivien, has been orchestrating accidental meetings between me and various eligible women for months,” he explained quickly. This included her divorced sister who should arrive any minute.
“The family has turned matchmaking me into their pet project since my divorce, and it’s becoming exhausting.” Meline felt a laugh bubble up despite herself.
“So I’m your human shield?” He grinned, and suddenly he looked less like an intimidating CEO and more like a mischievous boy.
“Precisely.” “Just until the reception ends; I’ll make it worth your while.”
“I’m not sure what that means,” Meline began. She stopped as she noticed several people glancing their way with undisguised interest.
“Please,” he added. “I don’t normally resort to such tactics, but today’s particularly relentless.”
“They’ve seated me at a table with three single women for the reception.” Before she could respond, the string quartet began playing.
This signaled the ceremony was about to begin. In the momentary distraction, Jackson reached for her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.
The gesture was so unexpected that Meline froze. She was hyper-aware of the warmth of his palm against hers.
“Just until the reception ends,” he promised in a whisper. “Then you’ll never have to see me again if you don’t want to.”
Meline should have pulled away. She should have politely declined this bizarre request from a stranger, even if he was Jackson Hayes.
But something in his eyes, a genuine plea beneath the confidence, made her hesitate. Perhaps a small voice acknowledged it wouldn’t be terrible to not be the single mother sitting alone for once.
“Fine,” she whispered back as guests rose for the bride’s entrance. “But you owe me an explanation.”
His grateful smile sent an unexpected flutter through her chest. “Deal.”
