Cover of Funny Story

Funny Story

by Emily Henry


Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Humor and Comedy, Fiction
Year
2024
Pages
401
Contents

Chapter 5

Overview

Peter calls Daphne to condescendingly suggest she skip his wedding, prompting her to blurt out that she's dating Miles and bringing him as her plus-one. Miles, amused rather than upset, encourages the ruse by taking a couple-y selfie that Daphne posts publicly. The chapter sets up the fake-dating premise that will drive the story forward.

Summary

On Sunday morning, Daphne answers Peter's call despite her hangover. Peter awkwardly explains he received her wedding RSVP and wanted to make sure she knew she didn't have to come, framing it as concern for her being alone. His use of 'we' and 'our' regarding himself and Petra wounds Daphne, and his condescending pity enrages her.

Impulsively, Daphne lies that she's bringing her boyfriend, then doubles down by claiming it's Miles, who supposedly received his own invitation. Peter reacts with disbelief and pointedly notes that the wedding is months away, implying the relationship won't last. Daphne hangs up and rushes to confess to Miles.

She finds Miles returning with breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Rather than being angry, he's amused and delighted that Daphne stuck it to Peter. He suggests they actually pretend to date to provoke Peter and Petra, arguing that even engaged people aren't above jealousy. Daphne resists the idea of attending the wedding as a fake couple.

Miles takes Daphne's phone and snaps a couple-y selfie of them, then encourages her to post it so Petra will see. Caught up in bitterness, Daphne posts the photo without a caption. They acknowledge it's petty, share a high-five, and Miles heads off to run errands, leaving the fake-relationship seed firmly planted.

Who Appears

  • Daphne
    Hungover protagonist who impulsively lies to Peter about dating Miles, then posts a fake couple selfie.
  • Miles
    Daphne's roommate; amused by her lie, encourages the fake relationship and stages a couple selfie.
  • Peter
    Daphne's ex-fiancé; calls condescendingly to suggest she skip his wedding, reacts with disbelief to the Miles claim.
  • Petra
    Peter's new fiancée and Miles's ex; mentioned as the target audience for the staged couple photo.
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