Friends

Someone needs a plus one in their life.

Sandy sat across from her best friend Amy in a crowded diner, stirring a milkshake she no longer wanted.


“I’m tired of waiting,” Sandy groaned.


“I don’t blame you,” Amy said. “You’ve been dating Roger for five years. Five! And technically, you’re not even engaged.”


Sandy sighed. “Roger says he might get promoted this year. Then, after he saves enough money to move out of his parents’ house, we can get engaged.”


Amy nearly dropped her fries.


“So first he gets promoted, then moves out, then maybe gets engaged? He’s not even talking about marriage!”


“He wants to buy a house first,” Sandy defended. “A proper place for us to live.”


“A proper stall tactic,” Amy replied.


They said goodbye, and Sandy left the diner feeling miserable.


“Excuse me,” a voice called.


She turned to find a handsome stranger.


“Yes?”


“Hi. I’m Ben. I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.”


Sandy raised an eyebrow. “That’s not creepy at all.”


“Fair point,” Ben admitted. “But I think I can help.”


“How?”


“Make Roger jealous. If he thinks another guy is interested, he’ll realize marrying you is his best option.”


Sandy laughed. “That’s your foolproof plan?”


“Absolutely.”


It wasn’t foolproof.


The first dinner they arranged ended with Ben making Sandy laugh so hard she snorted soda through her nose.


The second ended with them talking until midnight.


The third happened with Ben because Roger canceled because he wanted to stay home and watch a UFC fight.

Months later, Sandy stopped trying to make Roger jealous.


She was too busy falling in love with Ben.


Now, Sandy and Ben are celebrating their second wedding anniversary and preparing for the birth of their first child in two months.


And Roger?


Still living at home.


Still waiting for that promotion.


Still researching houses.