My imaginary boyfriend begins with a lasagna.

My mother calls while I am eating one over my keyboard, and within three minutes she has praised my married sister, discussed grandchildren, and asked whether I have considered meeting a nice accountant.

“I am seeing someone,” I blurt, surprising even myself.

Silence.

Then comes the interrogation.

His name? Ryan. His job? Business. How long have we been together? Four months. Is it serious?

“Very,” I say, committing fully to the lie.

By the time the call ends, my mother has announced that she is visiting the city on Friday and cannot wait to meet him.

I stare at my phone as if it has personally betrayed me.

My manager, Maya, finds me whispering possible escape plans to the office printer. I confess everything under the condition that she never tells another living soul.

She lasts eleven minutes.

Ryan Carter appears in Maya’s doorway, one hand in his pocket and amusement shining in his blue-gray eyes. Ryan is the agency director, my boss, and the kind of man who can make a client approve a terrible campaign simply by smiling at the correct moment.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” he says lightly.

“I am going to resign,” I reply.

“Before introducing me to your mother?” he asks, clearly entertained.

My stomach drops. “Absolutely not,” I say quickly.

Ryan leans against the doorframe. “You need a charming boyfriend named Ryan who works in business,” he says. “Conveniently, I meet every qualification.”

“This is not a game,” I tell him.

“That is unfortunate,” he replies with a grin. “I was already planning our meet-cute.”

I spend two days asking every single man I know for help. One is engaged. One is traveling. One laughs until I hang up.

On Thursday evening, I find Ryan waiting beside my desk with his jacket over one shoulder.

“One dinner,” he says calmly. “No office consequences. No expectations.”

I should refuse.

Instead, I look at my mothers excited messages and release a defeated breath.

“Fine,” I say. “You can be my boyfriend.”

Ryan offers his hand like we are closing a million-dollar account.

“Excellent,” he says. “Now tell me how we fell in love.”

Sophie only needed one harmless lie, but now the most charming man in her office is volunteering for the role! Would you trust Ryan to survive dinner with your family? Tell us below! 👇 Hit ❤️ if you are ready for fake dating, office tension, and one dangerously convincing boss!