On the fourth night, I stood in front of my wedding dress and had a thought so ridiculous I actually laughed out loud.

Then I thought it again.

The wedding didn’t have to be canceled.

I just needed a different groom.

Maybe that sounds crazy. Maybe it was. But when you’re told your time may be limited, embarrassment loses much of its power.

I had dreamed about a wedding my entire life. The dress. The flowers. The music. My father walking me down the aisle. My mother crying in the front row.

I wasn’t ready to lose that dream because the man who promised it turned out to be weaker than I imagined.

The next morning, I searched for acting agencies.

Eventually, I found one that handled unusual event requests.

I chose the most affordable man available on my wedding date.

His name was Peter.

His photo showed kind eyes and an easy smile.

I sent him the most uncomfortable email of my life, explaining everything. The diagnosis. The abandoned wedding. The fact that I wasn’t looking for romance or deception.