Page 129 of The Match Faker

‘No! It’s…’ She paused. ‘You’re leaving in a few hours and I… I’m going to miss you.’

‘Oh, sweetheart.’ I pulled her into me and inhaled her sweet scent. ‘I’m gonna miss you too, Tutti-Frutti. So much.’

I really was. But there was nothing I could do.

‘Isn’t there… never mind.’ Her body stiffened.

‘What?’ I pulled away and lifted her chin. ‘Tell me.’

‘Isn’t there any way we could make this work?’

My gaze dropped to the floor.

This was such bad timing. Mia was already devastated about the awards and now I was about to crush her heart even more by telling her that we couldn’t continue. If I’d known things would get this messy, I’d never have agreed to this arrangement.

Who was I kidding? These two months with Mia had been incredible, so as hard as leaving would be, I wouldn’t have changed that for the world.

‘Mi.’ I looked her in the eyes, which made things worse. I hated seeing her upset. ‘It’s what we agreed… we both knew this could only be temporary. Remember our conversations?’ Mia nodded. ‘I’m in LA and you’re here. And I’m… I’m not good at relationships when I’m in the same city as a woman, so the long-distance thing would be even worse. We’ve had a great run and I’ll remember our time together, forever. I don’t want us to end up hating each other again, so it’s better we part on good terms. This way, we can go out on a high.’

I placed my hand on hers and she pulled away.

‘I’m going to the bathroom.’ Mia stormed out of the room.

Fuck.

I understood why she was pissed. I wasn’t happy about the situation either, but it was for the best. Better that I upset her now before we got in any deeper and I screwed up. Which would only be a matter of time.

Like I’d always said, relationships always ended, so what was the point in trying? And Mia thought I looked hot now, but what would happen when I stopped working out and my looks faded, or if my career ended? There was no guarantee I’d get an investor for my screenplay. And everyone knew my days as an action hero were numbered.

Of course I’d love for us to be happy together. But this wasn’t a movie. This was real life and I had to face facts.

Just like Dad, I wasn’t capable of maintaining a relationship. He’d broken Mum’s heart and the last thing I wanted was to do the same to Mia.

She didn’t realise it now, but I was doing her a favour. Setting Mia free to find someone who could give her the happy ending she wanted. She’d get over me.

I didn’t know how I’d get over her, though. Mia was the most incredible woman I’d ever met and the thought of her with another man made me physically sick. But I had to put my feelings aside and do what was best for Mia. And that was to let her go.

Forever.

45

Mia

So stupid.

I glared in the bathroom mirror, chastising myself.

Liam was right. We’d agreed that this couldn’t go any further than tonight. So why had I asked for more when I knew that he wasn’t in a position to give it to me?

And to think I was going to tell him that I was in love with him.

Like I said: so stupid.

And crying in front of him like a baby was pathetic.

I couldn’t weep over losing at the awards or losing a man that I’d never really had. I needed to be strong.

After wiping away the mascara streaks from my cheeks, I cleaned the rest of my face before getting in the shower.

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