Page 104 of The Match Faker

37

Mia

‘I’m home!’ I said, shutting the door behind me.

Saying the word ‘home’ sounded strange, but that was how it felt. I was comfortable here. I liked coming home to Liam.

I was about to remind myself that this was temporary and I shouldn’t get carried away when Liam appeared in the hallway and gave me one of his megawatt smiles.

It wasn’t the smile he put on for the cameras. It was the one where his whole face lit up like a Christmas tree, his eyes sparkled and his laughter lines crinkled. The smile that made my heart flutter like a butterfly.

‘Hey, you!’ He wrapped his arms around me, lifted me off the floor, then spun me around. ‘I missed you.’ He pressed his lips onto mine and every nerve ending sprung to life.

‘What a welcome!’ I said when we both came up for air. ‘Talk about knowing how to make a girl feel special.’

‘I try.’ He grinned. ‘I’m in an extra-good mood!’

‘Oh yeah?’ I took off my jacket and shoes. ‘Tell me more!’

I followed Liam into the kitchen. There was a chopping board with onions and peppers resting on the counter.

After sliding onto the stool, I leant forward, eager to hear about his day.

‘Well, of course I’m happy because of an amazing woman…’ He smirked.

‘Should I be worried?’ I smiled.

‘You know I’m talking about you.’ He grinned. ‘But I’m also feeling good because I started working on my screenplay again!’

‘You’re writing a screenplay? Oh my God!’ I jumped off the stool so fast I almost twisted my ankle, raced over to the opposite side of the counter and threw my arms around him. ‘That’s brilliant!’

‘Thanks!’ Relief washed over him. ‘I started it a couple of years ago but kept stopping. I wasn’t sure I could do it or if it was any good. But when I’m writing, it gives me such a buzz.’

‘I’m so glad to hear that! And? How was it? I’m guessing it wasn’t half as bad as you thought it was, right?’

‘Yeah. It still needs work, but it’s got potential. We’ll see. But seriously, thank you.’

‘For what?’

‘For encouraging me. I was so in my head with it being bad and all the things people had told me over the years about staying in my lane were swimming around my brain for so long that I doubted myself. But the stuff you said on the way to the theatre helped blow those negative thoughts away just enough for me to open my laptop. And once I did that, everything flowed.’

‘I’m so happy for you! And like I said before, I was just telling the truth. You’re capable of so much.’

‘I appreciate that. And I believe you, because let’s face it, if you were lying, I’d know,’ he laughed.

‘Yep. Telling the truth is my superpower!’

‘I know you said I don’t have to thank you, but once we’ve eaten, I have a surprise for you.’

‘Oooh!’

‘Don’t get too excited. I haven’t bought you diamonds. It’s just a kind of throwback gift.’

‘I’m intrigued. Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll love it! Do you want some help with dinner? I’m no chef, but I can chop vegetables.’

‘Nah, thanks, but I’m good.’ Liam walked to the fridge, took out a bottle of wine, then plucked a glass from the cupboard. ‘Here.’ He handed it to me. ‘All I need is for you to sit down, relax and talk. I’ve told you about my day, now I want to hear all about yours.’

For the next hour, whilst Liam cooked some meatballs with homemade baked sweet potato fries, we chatted easily.

---