Page 135 of The Match Faker

But not being with her was already eating me up inside.

Why waste this time hurting by being apart from her, when I could be with her and be happy. Every day?

Me and Mia weren’t my parents. We weren’t my LA friends.

We were the real deal.

I didn’t want to be afraid.

I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

I wanted to live. To be happy.

I wanted to be with the woman I loved.

I wanted to be with Mia.

I wanted her in my life.

Permanently.

I wanted to choose love over fear.

‘When did you say your flight to London was?’

‘In a few hours. Why?’ Nate frowned.

‘Wait for me.’ I raced out the room. ‘I’m coming with you!’

‘Huh?’ Nate shouted.

‘Don’t you have filming on Monday?’ Nate followed me.

‘Yep. Don’t care. They can fire me if they want.’

It wasn’t just my love life I wanted to change. I was done with the action movies. Now that my screenplay was finished, I wanted to pursue my own dreams. Turn it into a TV series. Write more of my own screenplays. Act on the stage. Do whatever the hell I wanted.

‘Fighting talk. I like it!’

‘Damn straight. You’re not the only one who needs to go to London to see their lady. I’m gonna see Mia. And tell her I love her.’

50

Mia

Itook a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, then put my key in the door.

My parents were throwing a party at home to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. Of course I was happy for them, but after my sister’s party, I wasn’t looking forward to another family gathering.

I hadn’t spoken to my parents properly since the awards. Although the business was starting to take off, I knew they’d think it was too early to get excited, so I’d avoided their calls and just sent texts to say that I was super busy. Dealing with their disappointment at me not winning and breaking up with Liam was too difficult.

But I couldn’t let my parents down. I wanted to be here for their big celebration.

The sound of reggae music boomed through the air and the scent of my mum’s fried chicken wafted from the kitchen.

My stomach rumbled, which was an improvement from the constant churning it’d done for most of the day.

‘Mia! You’re here!’ Mum rushed over to me. She looked lovely in her sparkly ruby-coloured dress.

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