Page 111 of The Match Faker

Me

I’d love that. I know Andrea and the cast would too. Thanks.

Tutti-Frutti

No worries!

Me

Better get back to it. See you tonight!

Tutti-Frutti

Can’t wait! And don’t forget to send me the details.

Me

On it.

I fired off the link Nate had sent earlier, then I practically skipped back to the stage to join the cast.

And for the first time in ages, I felt something I hadn’t for a long time when it came to acting: excitement.

39

Mia

The sound of the audience cheering as the play ended was deafening, but in the best possible way.

Liam and the cast joined hands, stepped towards the edge of the stage and took a bow.

I jumped to my feet and whooped at the top of my voice whilst Trudy stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly.

‘Your boyfriend is bloody talented,’ she gushed.

‘He really is!’ My heart expanded with pride.

It’d been years since I’d seen him in a play. When we were friends I’d go and see the performances at his drama club. Back then he was good, but now? Everything I’d said before was true. His talents were wasted doing the same films. He deserved to be on the stage or writing. He shouldn’t have to choose. I’d love to see him do whatever he wanted.

Liam was wearing a mask and even when he removed it, thanks to the make-up and wig, I didn’t think the audience realised he was playing the Beast. But judging from the comments from the people in the row behind me, they still thought he was great. I know they weren’t experts or fancy theatre critics, but that didn’t matter. What I loved was that he wasn’t being judged on his looks or what people read online. Tonight the only thing that mattered was his performance.

As the cast left the stage, Trudy and I headed around the back to a tiny room where the cast had congregated. Everyone was hugging each other excitedly.

Liam patted the shoulder of the girl who played Belle, who was Nate’s stepdaughter, Andrea. At one point she forgot her lines and looked mortified. But Liam quickly mouthed them to her and within seconds she was able to recover. So sweet of him.

Liam’s gaze caught mine and his face broke into a smile. He excused himself from Andrea and came over.

‘Hey, you.’ He kissed me softly on the lips.

‘You were amazing!’ I wrapped my arm around him.

‘She’s right!’ Trudy added. ‘You were brilliant. Shame you’ve got an agent, otherwise I’d snap you up. I’d kill to have someone with your talent on my books!’

‘Thanks. And never say never, Trudes.’ Liam smiled. ‘Back in a sec. Just need to say a few words.’

‘Course! Go do your thing!’ I stepped back to give him space.

‘Ladies and gents.’ Liam stood at the front of the room. ‘You were all fantastic! I know it wasn’t easy and you were worried about how it’d all turn out, but you knocked it out the park! It was a privilege to share the stage with you tonight.’ He put his hands together in a gesture of thanks.

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