Stuck in an elevator with a stranger was bad enough.
But when Lena found out Dylan—a charming, suit-clad mystery man—needed a fake date for a wedding the next day, things got even weirder.
A power outage, a bold proposition, and one tempting question: Would she really say yes to a total stranger?
Lena checked her watch for the third time in a minute. Late. Again.
She exhaled sharply, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she strode down the boutique hotel’s hallway.
The air smelled of fresh lilies, their floral sharpness mixed with the faintest trace of citrus and polished wood.
It was the kind of scent that clung to weddings—the kind that brought memories of champagne toasts, aching feet in high heels, and teary speeches that went on too long.
A fitting reminder, considering her best friend had gotten married last week.
Lena reached the elevator and jabbed the button, as if sheer determination could speed up the machinery.
She bounced on her heels, fingers tapping anxiously against the strap of her bag.
The soft chime of the elevator arriving barely registered in her brain before she darted inside.
Just as the doors started closing, a blur of movement caught her eye.
A man lunged in after her, his shoulder bumping into hers as her suitcase wobbled dangerously.
“Sorry—” he started, a breathless chuckle in his voice.
He straightened, brushing an imaginary wrinkle from his crisp suit.
Lena barely spared him a glance. “No worries.”
And then, everything stopped.
The elevator jerked violently.
The lights flickered once, twice, then steadied. The hum of movement vanished.
Lena’s stomach clenched.
A thick, loaded silence filled the small space.
She pressed the button repeatedly.
Nothing.
“Oh, no. No, no, no,” she muttered, pressing her palm against the cool metal doors as if she could will them open.
Beside her, the man let out a deep sigh and leaned against the wall. “Classic.
Always when you’re in a rush.”
Lena finally turned to him fully.
Sharp blue eyes. Tousled blond hair.
A suit that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover.
A Hallmark movie hero, if she’d ever seen one.
“I take it you have somewhere important to be?” he asked, his lips quirking in amusement.
“A dinner with a friend,” she muttered. “She got married last week.
We planned this before I leave town.”
“Ah,” he nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets.
“Funny coincidence. The wedding I’m going to is tomorrow.”
Lena blinked. “Wait.
You’re—”
“Dylan.” He extended a hand, palm up, as if this was the most normal introduction in the world.
“Groom’s best friend. And emergency wedding date seeker.”
Before she could even process that, the intercom crackled overhead.
“Uh, folks?
Seems like we’ve got a small power outage affecting the elevators. We’re working on it.
Might take a bit.”
Lena closed her eyes briefly.
“Perfect.”
Dylan chuckled. “Look on the bright side. At least we’re not alone in here.”
She shot him a look.
“Right.
Because being stuck with a stranger is somehow better than being stuck alone.”
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