When Lonely Hearts Collide: The Story of Amelia Johnson and Ethan Mitchell

The worst part wasn’t sitting alone at her best friend’s wedding. It wasn’t even the pitying looks from other guests or the way conversations stopped when she walked by. The worst part was watching Rebecca, her supposed best friend since college, laugh and celebrate with people who had barely acknowledged Amelia’s existence all evening.

Amelia Johnson smoothed her emerald green dress for the hundredth time, trying to make herself invisible at table seven. The reception hall buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses, but she felt like she was watching it all through thick glass. Every couple seemed to glow with happiness while she sat next to an empty chair that should have held her date.

“I’m so sorry, Amelia,” her coworker Kevin had texted that morning. “Food poisoning. Can’t make it to the wedding. Hope you understand.”

She understood perfectly.

Kevin had found out last week that Rebecca’s wedding was going to be featured in a local magazine because her new husband Michael owned several successful restaurants in the city. Suddenly, being Amelia’s plus one to what he thought would be a small ceremony wasn’t appealing anymore.

The maid of honor, Rebecca’s sister Jessica, clinked her champagne glass to get everyone’s attention. Amelia had known Jessica for years, but the woman had never liked her. Tonight, Jessica’s smile looked particularly sharp.

“I want to say something about love,” Jessica announced, her voice carrying across the reception hall. “True love finds everyone eventually. Well, almost everyone.”

Her eyes found Amelia at table seven.

“Some people just aren’t meant to find love. They’re meant to be the supporting characters in other people’s love stories.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Not cruel laughter, but the kind that came from people who thought they were hearing a funny observation about life.

Amelia felt her cheeks burn as several guests turned to look at her empty table setting. Rebecca caught her eye from the head table and gave a little wave, but she didn’t correct her sister. She didn’t stand up for Amelia. She just smiled and turned back to her new husband.

That hurt more than anything else.

Amelia had been Rebecca’s roommate in college. She had helped Rebecca through her parents’ divorce, her struggles in nursing school, and three terrible relationships before Michael. When Rebecca needed someone to drive her to job interviews because her car broke down, Amelia was there. When Rebecca got food poisoning the night before her nursing board exam, Amelia stayed up all night taking care of her.

But apparently none of that mattered now that Rebecca was married and surrounded by her new family.

The band started playing a slow song and couples moved to the dance floor. Amelia watched Rebecca dance with her father, both of them crying happy tears. She remembered helping Rebecca pick out her dress, spending hours at bridal shops, and listening to Rebecca worry about every detail.

“You’ll be my maid of honor, of course,” Rebecca had said back then.

But three months before the wedding, Rebecca called to say she had chosen her sister instead.

“Family comes first, you know.”

Amelia had understood then, too. She always understood.

A waiter approached her table with a fresh glass of champagne.

“From the gentleman at the bar,” he said, pointing across the room.

Amelia looked over and saw a tall man in an expensive dark suit watching her. He had brown hair, kind eyes, and the sort of confident posture that came from success. He raised his own glass slightly in her direction.

She felt a flutter of hope, but it died quickly.

Men like that didn’t notice women like her. He was probably looking at someone else, or maybe it was some sort of mistake.

The man started walking toward her table, and Amelia’s heart began to race. He moved through the crowd easily, nodding politely to people who tried to stop and talk to him. His focus stayed on her.

“Excuse me,” he said when he reached her table. His voice was warm and deeper than she expected. “I hope you don’t mind the champagne. You look like you could use a friend.”

Up close, he was even more handsome. His suit was perfectly tailored, and his watch probably cost more than Amelia made in six months. But his smile seemed genuine, and there was something gentle in his expression.

“I’m Ethan,” he said, extending his hand. “Ethan Mitchell.”

“Amelia Johnson,” she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm but not overwhelming.

“Would it be terribly forward of me to ask if I could sit down?”

Amelia gestured to the empty chair beside her. “It’s all yours. My date canceled last minute.”

Ethan sat down and looked around the reception hall.

“Beautiful wedding. Are you close to the bride?”

“We were best friends,” Amelia said, then caught herself. “We are best friends since college.”

“That’s wonderful. Lifelong friendships are rare.”

The music changed to something more upbeat and the dance floor filled with laughing guests. Amelia watched Rebecca spin around in her wedding dress, surrounded by her new family and husband’s friends.

“Can I ask you something?” Ethan said, leaning closer so she could hear him over the music.

Amelia nodded.

“Would you be willing to help me with something? I promise it’s not inappropriate or dangerous.”

She looked at him carefully. There was something serious in his expression now. Something that made her think he really did need help.

“What kind of help?”

Ethan glanced around the room, then back at her.

“I need you to act like you’re mine tonight.”

“Have you ever felt invisible at the moment when you needed support the most? Have you wondered what it would feel like to have someone choose you when everyone else looks past you?”

Amelia stared at Ethan, certain she had misheard him over the wedding band.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“I know how it sounds,” Ethan said, his voice low and urgent. “But I need you to pretend to be my date tonight. Just for a few hours.”

She looked around the reception hall, wondering if this was some sort of elaborate prank.

“Why would you need me to do that?”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, and for the first time since he sat down, he looked nervous.

“My ex-girlfriend is here. She’s been persistent since our breakup six months ago. When I saw her across the room earlier, she started heading my way with that look in her eyes.”

“What look?”

“The one that says she thinks we’re getting back together.”

He gestured discreetly toward a table near the dance floor. The woman in the red dress talking to the bride’s mother.

Amelia followed his gaze and saw a stunning blonde woman in a form-fitting red dress. She was everything Amelia wasn’t. Tall, confident, and surrounded by admirers.

“She’s beautiful.”

“She’s also manipulative, demanding, and thinks my money means she owns me.”

Ethan turned back to Amelia.

“I came to this wedding because Michael is a good friend and business partner. I didn’t know she would be here.”

“So, you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend? Just for tonight.”

“I’ll make it worth your time. I promise. And you’ll be helping me avoid a very uncomfortable situation.”

Amelia looked down at her dress, then back at the woman in red.

“I don’t think anyone would believe that you and I are together.”

“Why not? Look at her, then look at me. We’re not exactly in the same league.”

Ethan’s expression grew serious.

“First of all, you’re beautiful.”

“Second, you have something she doesn’t.”

“What’s that?”

“Kindness. I can see it in your eyes. You care about people.”

He paused.

“She only cares about herself.”

The sincerity in his voice made Amelia’s chest tight.

When was the last time someone had called her beautiful and meant it?

“What exactly would this involve?” she asked.

“Nothing inappropriate. I promise. We’d sit together, maybe dance once or twice. I’d introduce you as my girlfriend. We’d act like we’re happy together.”

“And what do I get out of it?”

Ethan smiled.

“Besides helping someone in need, I’ll make sure you have the best night you’ve had in months. You looked like you needed rescuing as much as I do.”

That stung, but it wasn’t wrong.

She had been sitting alone, feeling sorry for herself while her best friend celebrated the happiest day of her life.

Plus, Ethan continued, “I’ll owe you a favor, a big one, and I’m someone who can pay his debts.”

The way he said it made Amelia think he was talking about more than money.

There was something about Ethan that made her want to trust him, even though they had just met.

“What happens when people ask questions? I don’t know anything about your life.”

“We’ll keep it simple. We met through work. We’ve been dating for a few months and we’re taking things slow.”

He reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone.

“What do you do for work?”

“I’m a marketing coordinator.”

“Well, I was until last month.”

“What happened last month?”

“Budget cuts. I’ve been freelancing since then, but it’s not going well.”

Ethan’s expression grew thoughtful.

“Marketing. That’s actually perfect. I could use someone with marketing experience.”

“For what?”

“I’ll tell you later. Right now, my ex is heading this way.”

Amelia glanced over and saw the woman in red walking toward their table with determination. Her smile looked predatory.

“So,” Ethan asked, “will you help me?”

Amelia thought about sitting alone for the rest of the evening, watching happy couples dance while Jessica made more comments about people who weren’t meant for love. She thought about going home to her empty apartment and spending Sunday sending out more job applications that would probably be ignored.

Then she looked at Ethan, who was offering her a chance to feel wanted, even if it was just pretend.

“Yes,” she said. “I’ll help you.”

Relief flooded Ethan’s face.

“Thank you. I owe you already.”

He reached over and took her hand just as the woman in red arrived at their table.

“Ethan, darling,” the woman in red said as she approached their table, her voice honey-sweet but with an unmistakable edge beneath. “I was hoping I’d run into you here.”

Ethan didn’t let go of Amelia’s hand. “Hello, Caroline,” he said calmly. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Amelia.”

Caroline’s smile faltered for just a moment before snapping back into place. “Girlfriend? How unexpected.”

Amelia felt Caroline’s eyes examining her from head to toe, cataloging every flaw. The silence stretched uncomfortably.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Amelia said, surprised by how steady her own voice sounded.

“Yes, well.” Caroline’s attention turned back to Ethan. “I was hoping we could talk privately about the Morrison deal.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” Ethan replied firmly. “That deal was settled months ago.”

Still, Caroline persisted, “I think we should.”

Ethan’s voice carried a warning. “I’m here with Amelia, and I’d like to enjoy the evening with her.”

Caroline’s smile became razor sharp. “Of course. How long have you two been together?”

Amelia felt panic rise in her throat, but Ethan squeezed her hand gently.

“Three months,” he said. “Best three months I’ve had in years.”

The way he said it, looking directly at Amelia with warmth in his eyes, almost made her believe it herself.

“How romantic,” Caroline sneered. “And where did you meet?”

“Through work,” Amelia said, finding her voice. “Ethan needed someone with marketing experience.”

“Oh, you work for him?” Caroline’s tone was dismissive.

“I work with him. We’re partners.”

It wasn’t exactly true, but Ethan’s approving squeeze of her hand told her she had said the right thing.

“Partners,” Caroline repeated, “how modern.”

The band struck up a slow song, and Ethan stood up, still holding Amelia’s hand.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

Amelia nodded, grateful for the chance to escape Caroline’s scrutiny.

As Ethan led her to the dance floor, she heard Caroline mutter something under her breath that sounded like, “We’ll see about that.”

“You did great,” Ethan whispered as he pulled Amelia into his arms for the dance. “She hates me already.”

“Good. That means it’s working.”

Amelia looked up at him as they swayed to the music. “What exactly did I just get myself into?”

Ethan smiled, and for a moment, she forgot this was all pretend, something that might be the best thing that ever happened to both of them.

Dancing with Ethan felt like stepping into a different life. He moved with confidence, leading her easily through the slow song while other couples swayed around them. Amelia could feel eyes watching them, but for once, the attention didn’t make her want to disappear.

“You’re a good dancer,” she said, looking up at him.

“My mother insisted on lessons when I was twelve.”

“I hated it then, but I’m grateful now. It shows.”

Ethan spun her gently, and when she came back to him, his smile was genuine.

“You’re not what I expected when I walked over to your table.”

“What did you expect?”

“Someone who needed rescuing, but you’re rescuing me just as much.”

The song ended, but Ethan didn’t let go of her hand as they walked back toward their table. Caroline was nowhere to be seen, but Amelia noticed other guests watching them with interest.

“Amelia?” A familiar voice called out.

Rebecca was walking toward them, her wedding dress trailing behind her like a cloud of white silk. Her face showed confusion and curiosity.

“Rebecca, hi,” Amelia said suddenly nervous. “Congratulations again. Everything is beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Rebecca’s eyes moved to Ethan, then to their joined hands.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” Ethan said, extending his free hand. “Mitchell, congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.” Rebecca shook his hand but kept looking between him and Amelia.

“Amelia, I thought Kevin was your plus one.”

“He got sick,” Amelia said. “Ethan came instead.”

Instead, Rebecca’s eyebrows rose.

“You mean we’re dating?”

Ethan said smoothly, “I know Amelia was excited to introduce me to her best friend.”

Rebecca’s expression shifted to something Amelia couldn’t quite read. Surprise mixed with something that might have been concern.

“That’s wonderful,” Rebecca said slowly. “How long have you two been together?”

“A few months,” Amelia said, sticking to their story.

“And I’ve never heard about him.”

Amelia felt heat creep up her neck. Rebecca was right to be suspicious. They had talked on the phone just last week, and Amelia had definitely not mentioned dating anyone.

“We wanted to keep things private at first,” Ethan said, stepping closer to Amelia. “You know how it is with new relationships. Sometimes it’s better to see how things develop before telling everyone.”

“Of course,” Rebecca said, but her tone suggested she didn’t quite believe it.

“Well, I should get back to Michael. But we should definitely catch up soon, Amelia.”

“Definitely,” Amelia agreed.

After Rebecca walked away, Amelia slumped slightly.

“She knows something’s off.”

“She’s suspicious because you looked guilty,” Ethan said gently.

“If we’re going to make this convincing, you need to act like you’re happy to be here with me.”

“I am happy to be here with you,” Amelia said, then caught herself. “I mean, I’m grateful for your help. Are you happy, though?”

The question was simple, but it made Amelia think.

When was the last time she had felt genuinely happy? Not content, not okay, but actually happy.

“I’m having a better time than I expected,” she said honestly.

“Good. That’s what I want to hear.”

A waiter appeared with fresh drinks, and Ethan tipped him generously.

As they sat back down at their table, Amelia noticed how different everything felt now. The empty chair was gone, replaced by Ethan’s warm presence. The pitying looks had turned to curious glances.

“Tell me about yourself,” Ethan said. “If we’re supposed to be dating, I should know more than just your name and profession.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything. Where did you grow up? What do you love? What makes you laugh?”

Amelia sipped her champagne, buying time. It had been so long since someone asked her these kinds of questions.

“I grew up in Cleveland,” she said. “My parents are both teachers. I have one sister who’s married and lives in California.”

“Are you close with your family?”

“Very. They worry about me being single in the big city, but they’re supportive.”

“What about friends? Besides Rebecca?”

Amelia hesitated.

“I’m not great at making friends. Rebecca and I met in college and we just clicked. Most of my other friendships faded after graduation.”

“That’s not uncommon. Adult friendships are harder to maintain. What about you? Tell me about your life.”

Ethan’s expression grew more guarded.

“I started my first company when I was 25. It was a tech startup that got bought out three years later. I used that money to start my current company, which does software development mostly for healthcare systems. We help hospitals and clinics manage patient data more efficiently.”

“That sounds important.”

“It is. And it’s profitable, which doesn’t hurt.”

There was something in his tone that suggested the money wasn’t entirely a good thing.

“Is that how you met Caroline?”

“She was the marketing director at one of our client companies. We dated for two years.”

He paused.

“I thought I loved her, but looking back, I think I was just lonely.”

“What changed?”

“I realized she never asked me questions like the ones I just asked you. She knew my net worth, my business schedule, and my credit score, but she didn’t know what made me laugh or what I did on Sunday mornings when no one was around.”

“What do you do on Sunday mornings?”

Ethan smiled.

“I make pancakes and read mystery novels.”

“Very exciting. I love mystery novels. Who’s your favorite author?”

“Louise Penny.”

“You?”

“Agatha Christie.”

“Classic choice.”

“I know. Classic for a reason.”

They talked for another hour, sharing stories and discovering surprising connections. Ethan had also grown up in Ohio, just two hours from Amelia’s hometown. They both loved hiking, hated romantic comedies, and had complicated relationships with social media.

“This is the longest conversation I’ve had with someone new in months,” Amelia admitted.

“Same here. Most people want to talk about business or ask me for favors.”

“Is that why you don’t like being wealthy?”

Ethan looked surprised.

“How did you know I don’t like it?”

“The way you said it was profitable. Like you were apologizing for having money.”

“You’re very observant.”

“It’s a defense mechanism. When you’re used to being overlooked, you learn to pay attention to details.”

“I don’t think you’re someone who should be overlooked.”

The sincerity in his voice made Amelia’s heart skip.

Even if this was all pretend, Ethan had a way of making her feel seen that she hadn’t experienced in years.

The band announced the last dance, and couples began moving to the floor for one final song.

“Shall we?” Ethan asked, standing and offering his hand.

“We should probably make one more appearance.”

Amelia agreed.

As they danced to the slow romantic song, Amelia found herself forgetting that this was all an act. Ethan held her close and she could smell his cologne, feel the warmth of his hand on her back.

When she looked up at him, he was already watching her with an expression she couldn’t quite read.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “For tonight, for helping me.”

“Thank you for asking.”

“Can I ask you something else?”

“What?”

“Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night? Not as pretend dates, as real people who enjoyed talking to each other.”

Amelia’s breath caught.

This wasn’t part of the deal they had made.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Unless you don’t want to.”

She thought about saying no, about keeping this as a beautiful memory from one perfect evening.

But looking into Ethan’s eyes, she realized she didn’t want this to end.

“I’d like that,” she said.

“Good. I was hoping you’d say yes.”

As the song ended and the reception began winding down, Amelia felt like Cinderella approaching midnight. Soon the magic would end and she’d go back to being ordinary Amelia with no job and no prospects.

But maybe, just maybe, the magic didn’t have to end at all.