Claire’s eyes got really big when she read her mom’s letter about a Christmas get-together with Megan, her beautiful sister, and her new boyfriend. Feeling pushed to the background, Claire came up with a plan.
At work, Claire went up to Zach, a dependable coworker, and asked him to do something strange. “Pretend to be my fiancé for Christmas.” Zach wasn’t sure at first, but Claire was able to convince him.
When they got to Claire’s mom’s fancy house, Megan’s condescending attitude made Claire even more determined. Claire came up with a risky plan after hearing Megan talk about their mother’s fortune.
She dragged Zach to a jewellery shop and picked out a cheap ring for him. She told him, “You’ll ask her to marry you tomorrow.” Zach became more uneasy, but Claire’s need to keep him on board kept him there.
Zach’s speech to ask her to marry him started as the Christmas dinner table was set. Megan smiled, Claire’s mum smiled, and Jason laughed. Claire felt bad about what she did as Zach put the ring on her finger.
The next day, Claire’s mum showed off her wedding dress, which she had saved for her daughter’s big day. But Megan’s whispered statement shocked Claire: the story about the inheritance was made up.
Claire was embarrassed and had to decide whether to keep up the act or run away. She picked the second option and ran down the aisle.
Back at work, Claire found Zach’s departure letter, which showed how he really felt and why he wanted to help her. Claire was moved and went to find him.
Claire found Zach taking care of his sick mother at his flat. She offered to help them with money, and they started talking about their fake engagement. Claire told him she wanted to go on a real date.
Zach smiled, and they stopped playing the parts they had made up.
