Page 22 of The Match Faker

A couple of months later I dated Marlon. The sex was better (still not great, though), but it didn’t matter because I knew it couldn’t last. He loved himself more than I loved chocolate and I loved chocolate a lot.

Our conversations were always about him and his job (a small role in a daytime TV soap). He was so into himself that when we were walking along the River Thames and a girl came up to ask if he’d mind taking a photo, he automatically assumed she wanted a selfie with him.

‘Of course!’ He’d beamed. ‘Anything for my fans!’

‘Selfie?’ She’d frowned. ‘No, I just want a photo in front of Tower Bridge!’

I’d burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. We ended things soon after.

So yeah, my dating experiences hadn’t been great, but if I was to stand a chance of winning this competition, I knew I only had one option.

Just thinking about it made me sick. But it had to be done.

‘I know you’re nervous,’ Trudy said softly, ‘but just give it a try. Meet Liam. See what he says. If he says no, at least you’ll know you tried. But imagine if he said yes and you won the whole damn thing!’

‘Okay.’ I pictured myself on stage at the awards ceremony, clutching the trophy and most importantly that big fat cheque. ‘Message him.’ I blew out an exasperated breath. I couldn’t believe I was really doing this. ‘Set up something in the next few days if he’s free. We don’t have much time.’

‘Already done!’ Trudy smiled.

‘What?’

‘We’re meeting him tomorrow at eight.’

Oh God.

‘But how did you even know I’d agree?’

‘Because I know you. And I know you need this.’

She wasn’t wrong. So why did I feel like I was going to regret this?

10

Liam

Iwas on my way to a private members’ club in Soho to meet Trudy.

And her annoying friend.

When Trudy texted, she’d said they had a ‘proposition’ for me.

I had no idea what that meant, but I was intrigued. I was pretty sure it wasn’t anything to do with money. That wasn’t Trudy’s style. Or Mia’s.

And because she was coming, I knew it definitely wasn’t anything sexual. If it was anyone else, the first thought that popped into my head would’ve been threesome. But that was just because I was horny.

Whatever the reason, I was glad to get out of the house. Even if it meant I’d have to sit at the same table as Ice Queen Mia.

After stepping through the doors and handing over my jacket, I headed up to the lounge, sat on the velvet armchair and ordered a sparkling water with lemon. I wished I could drink alcohol, but I had a shoot next week, so had to watch what I ate and drank.

A few minutes later, I heard someone call my name. When I looked I saw Trudy.

And Mamma Mia.

As much as I didn’t like her, I couldn’t deny she was pretty. Mia was wearing a fitted light blue dress which looked like it had been sewn onto her skin. It accentuated every curve. Her generous breasts, those hips and…

‘Someone likes what they see,’ Trudy teased.

Shit.

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