Page 112 of The Match Faker

‘Thanks for helping us!’ Andrea said. The whole room clapped with appreciation.

Once Trudy and I had congratulated the cast and Liam had said his goodbyes to Nate and Melody, we left the community centre.

We walked Trudy to her car, then went to find Phil, who’d been waiting outside.

‘So’—I put on my seat belt and turned to face Liam—‘how do you feel?’

‘Fucking amazing!’ His smile was so big, it could light up the whole of London. ‘It’s like… I can’t even put it into words. The nerves before you deliver the first line, the adrenaline that races through your veins, connecting with the audience right in the moment… nothing beats hearing their laughter or gasps and getting that live reaction. And I loved watching the others perform… it was just everything. I feel so… alive!’

‘I’m really happy for you! And this is just the beginning!’

‘I hope so.’

‘I’m telling you, it’s going to happen! What do you want to do now to celebrate your long-awaited return to the stage? Want to go out?’

‘You know what?’ Liam stroked my face. ‘I’d just like to go home and chill with you. Maybe we can go crazy and order pizza.’

‘Whoa. Really? What about your shoot?’

‘A few slices of pizza won’t kill me. And I’ve got training tomorrow, so I can work extra hard to make up for it.’

‘Or we can start early and burn some calories together tonight…?’ I grinned.

‘Now, that’s an idea I can get on board with.’ He leant forward and kissed me, sending shivers down my spine.

A night of pizza and passion with Liam?

Count. Me. In.

40

Mia

The pizza arrived ten minutes after we got home, so luckily we didn’t have to wait.

‘Should we eat in the dining room tonight?’ I grabbed two plates and glasses from the kitchen. ‘Just for a change?’

‘Sure.’ Liam followed me, clutching the pizza box.

After offering me the first slice of Meat Feast, he dived in and took one for himself.

As I watched him turn the corners inwards, I laughed.

‘What’s funny?’ He frowned.

‘Nothing. It’s just cute that you still eat pizza like that!’

‘Like what?’

‘You literally fold it in half like a sandwich! Just like you used to.’

‘Never really thought about it. Just stops everything falling off.’ He took another bite. ‘This tastes so fucking good!’

‘When was the last time you ate junk food?’

‘So long ago I can’t even remember. But damn have I missed it.’

‘That and ice cream, right?’

---