That was how I ended up standing beside my coworker Edward’s desk on Monday morning.
“I need a favor.”
He looked up. “That sounds expensive.”
“Come to my ex-husband’s wedding with me.”
“As emotional support?”
“As my boyfriend.”
He stared.
“Pretend boyfriend,” I added.
“Oh. Much healthier.”
Edward had become one of my closest friends during the divorce. He listened without trying to fix everything, brought me coffee when the divorce became final, and once helped me rewrite an angry message to Max before I sent something I would regret. He was also tall, athletic, and annoyingly handsome. Exactly the kind of man Max would notice.
“Why me?” Edward asked.
I tried to joke. “Because you’re ridiculously presentable.”
He kept watching me. “Veronica.”
I sighed. “I want Max to see me with you and wonder if leaving me was a mistake.”
Edward leaned back. For some reason, that answer seemed to bother him. Then he nodded. “Okay.”
