Will they know if I use a friend's company as my last employer?

I've not worked since I went out on maternity leave in May 2023. Now that I'm ready to work again, in this awful job market, I'm thinking that the almost 2 year gap doesn't look so good. I have a friend with a consulting company, and am thinking of asking him if I can say I consulted for them over the past two years. Do you think this is feasible? Would a potential employer be able to find out otherwise?