The Plus-One Rebellion
Two strangers rent themselves as a package deal to weddings, until the woman booking them turns out to be investigating marriage fraud.
ImagineYourBook writes a fresh draft from this idea.
How it begins
Daisy's first rule was never to catch the bouquet.
Oliver caught it with one hand while returning a client's grandmother to her chair.
The room applauded.
Daisy considered ending their partnership before dessert.
"Professional boundaries," she whispered.
"I was protecting the chandelier."
He handed her the flowers.
This made the applause worse.
They had combined their plus-one businesses three weeks ago. Daisy provided conversation, diplomatic exits and convincing enthusiasm for centerpieces. Oliver could dance, remember names and carry a sleeping uncle without ruining his jacket.
Together they had doubled their bookings.
They had also, apparently, acquired a narrative.
The bride's aunt approached with a camera.
"How long have you two been together?"
"Three weeks," Daisy said.
"Several lifetimes," Oliver said.
Daisy smiled with her teeth.
The aunt looked delighted.
"I knew it."
When she had gone, Daisy put the bouquet on an empty chair.
"We agreed not to improvise relationship history."
"You said I needed to sound less like an invoice."
"An invoice is at least consistent."
His phone buzzed.
Another booking.
Their new client wanted them for a wedding next Saturday, a renewal the following week and an engagement dinner after that.
Daisy read the message over his shoulder.
"Same organizer?"
"Apparently."
She recognized the account number on the deposit receipt.
It had appeared on yesterday's booking too.
And the week before.
"Oliver."
He looked where she pointed.
His expression changed before he could hide it.
"You know that name."
"I know who used to use it."
"Used to?"
He glanced toward the bride.
Across the room, she was posing beside a man whose smile seemed attached by effort.
The bouquet slipped from the chair.
Neither Daisy nor Oliver reached for it.
For the first time that afternoon, their performance felt like the least complicated thing in the room.
"Tell me," Daisy said.
Oliver put his phone away.
"Outside."
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Outline and characters
- Daisy and Oliver combine their separate plus-one businesses.
- A client books them for several linked weddings.
- They negotiate professional and personal boundaries.
- Daisy spots repeated names on suspicious wedding payments.
- Oliver knows one of the alleged brides.
- A client tries to buy their silence.
- They support a victim without making her the spectacle.
- Their performance collapses at a crucial reception.
- They reveal the payment scheme through the correct investigators.
- They attend one last wedding as themselves.
Characters
- Daisy Brown, 29. Professional plus-one recognizing suspicious deposits
- Oliver Green, 34. Hired wedding companion confronting a familiar false identity
Series possibilities
- Daisy receives a booking from someone officially listed as the groom's widow.
