Page 56 of The Match Faker

I leant forward an inch. Then two more.

Mia’s lips parted and her eyes widened.

All it would take was one move for my mouth to be on hers.

The loud rumble of a car alarm pierced the air, snapping me out of my thoughts. I yanked my head back.

WTF.

Was I seriously considering kissing Mia? On the lips?

I needed my head tested.

‘Get inside safely.’ I leant forward again, this time pecking her softly on the cheek and trying not to inhale her sweet floral scent.

‘I-I will,’ she stuttered before opening the car door.

After waving to Phil, she walked up the pathway to her building, pushed the front door open, then waved again.

She’d barely left the car a minute ago, so why was I already wondering when I would see her again?

21

Mia

‘No need to ask how your first date went!’ Trudy grinned as I stepped into the office. ‘Those snaps of you guys last night were smoking! Did you go back to his place and fuck like horny teenagers? Is that why you’re late?’

‘No!’ I sat down. ‘It was…’ I lowered my voice. ‘It wasn’t real.’

My stomach jolted. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there were moments where it felt like I wasn’t acting. And I enjoyed ‘performing’ more than I should, but they were just moments.

Anyway, I was only human. Who wouldn’t get hot under the collar (or in my case, a little damp in the knickers) after stroking Liam’s chest?

‘Yeah, right!’ She grabbed her phone and breezed over to my desk. ‘This’—she zoomed in on the photo on her screen—‘does not look fake. Look at your face! Look at his! You’re practically snogging! Everything about that photo screams I want to take you home and rip your clothes off!’

Liam predicted I’d be happier with these pictures and he was right.

My dress looked nice. It fitted me well. The lighting in front of the restaurant was surprisingly flattering. Our pose looked authentic. Liam was gazing into my eyes like he thought I was amazing and, yeah, I seemed totally smitten. His acting advice had worked like a dream.

The press had printed my name too. No idea how they’d found out, but I guessed it was easier once they had a clearer photo of me.

‘The reason it looks so real is because that’s what Liam said to me just before the picture was taken.’

‘Come again?’ Trudy gasped. ‘Liam told you he wanted to take you home and rip your clothes off? You lucky cow!’

‘No! He told me to look at him like I’—I felt awkward repeating it—‘wanted to take him home and… and fuck him.’

‘Oh my God! You two are so gonna get it on!’

‘Never going to happen!’ I scoffed. ‘Like I said before, it’s not real.’

‘Sure, sure.’ Trudy smirked. ‘Whatever you say. You’ve only been on three dates and already you’re looking at each other like that. Imagine what you’ll be like after two months!’

‘We’ve been on one date, not three! And I told you, I won’t fall for him. He’s a man whore who lives thousands of miles away.’

‘That may have been your first proper public date, but the first time you went to his house was a date. And when he caressed your face, oops, sorry, took off your make-up, that was too. Every time you meet up, it brings you closer together. The sparks are gonna fly, babes! You mark my words!’

My phone rang and I was grateful for the interruption. Trying to explain to Trudy that she was deluded was exhausting.

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