Page 130 of The Match Faker

Once I’d finished, I walked to the bedroom. Liam was sitting on the bed.

I grabbed my nightclothes and pulled the air mattress out from the wardrobe. Sleeping in the same bed as Liam tonight wasn’t wise. I had to get used to being alone. Again.

‘You okay?’ he asked.

Yeah, everything’s peachy. My business and my love life are down the drain, but whatever.

‘I’m fine.’ I straightened my shoulders. ‘Ignore what I said earlier. You were right. This was just a business agreement.’

‘I didn’t say that…’

‘I knew what I was getting into and you were very clear about what you could offer, so no harm done. Thanks for your help. You played the boyfriend role really well. Even though I didn’t get the result I was hoping for, I still appreciate everything you did. I’m sleeping in the spare room.’

Sleeping in there after my encounter with that scary spider frightened the shit out of me, but I couldn’t stay in the same bed as Liam.

‘Come on, Mi.’ Liam’s face crumpled. ‘You don’t have to do that. It’s our last night. Let’s spend it together.’

‘Actually’—my eyes flicked to the floor. I couldn’t look at him. It was too hard—‘I should go home now. I’ll have to leave for good in a few hours anyway, so I might as well do it now.’

I pulled out my suitcase, then started dragging my own clothes off the hangers and shoving them inside.

‘Mia!’ Liam jumped off the bed and gripped my hand. ‘Stop! I know you’re hurting and I’m sorry, but it’s better this way. I can’t give you what you deserve. But that doesn’t mean you have to go now. Stay. Let me hold you.’

‘No!’ I shrugged his hand off.

The last thing I needed was for him to wrap those strong arms around me. Remind me of what I’d had. And what I’d be missing. I needed to draw a line under things ASAP. Like a plaster, it was best to rip it off quickly.

Once I’d gathered my clothes, I got dressed in the bathroom, then swiped all of my products from the shelves and into my toiletries bag.

I’d left all the expensive dresses and shoes Liam had bought me. He’d already given me enough. I didn’t want him to think I was taking advantage now that our agreement was over.

After getting my phone downstairs, I ordered a taxi. When I returned to the room, Liam had his head in his hands.

‘The Uber’s three minutes away.’ I zipped up my suitcase, then moved towards the door. ‘And don’t worry, I’ll check there are no paps lurking so you won’t get any negative press about me leaving.’

‘I don’t care about the fucking paps!’ Liam jumped up and grabbed my hands. ‘All I care about is you.’

‘Like I said’—I moved my hands—‘I’ll be fine. Please. I have to go.’

This time, my gaze met his. Seeing his eyes watering floored me. I didn’t think he’d be bothered about me going, but he actually seemed upset.

Not enough to try, though. Not enough to fight for me.

‘Bye, Liam. And thank you, genuinely. For everything.’

I walked to the stairs. I desperately wanted to hug him one last time. To press my lips onto his. To inhale his intoxicating scent. To turn and have a final glance at the man I loved so much.

But I kept on walking. Down to the hallway, where I put on my coat and shoes, then out the door and into the taxi.

Leaving Liam far behind me.

46

Mia

It’d been a difficult four weeks.

Reluctantly, I’d handed in my notice at the office. I had no choice. I couldn’t get myself into more debt.

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