Page 58 of The Match Faker

I slapped my forehead. I did need to do the housework, but come on. I could’ve come up with a better excuse than that.

‘Forget about the chores!’

A light bulb went off. I’d be better at lying if I made it about Liam.

‘Liam has to… work.’ Yes. Good save.

‘On a Sunday?’

‘He’s a big star! Busy, busy, busy!’ My voice went up ten octaves.

‘Oh, I understand. Well, tell him I said hello and that when he gets time, we’d love to see him again.’ Phew.

‘Will do.’ My shoulders relaxed. ‘Speak soon.’

‘Bye, darling,’ Mum said.

I hung up and blew out a breath. Hopefully she wouldn’t ask us to come round again, but knowing Mum, I wouldn’t get off the hook that easily.

‘So, is she convinced?’ Trudy asked.

‘Yep.’

‘Excellent! And don’t feel guilty. People lie all the time,’ Trudy added, reading my mind. ‘Especially in the bedroom. I did it last night with some dude I hooked up with: ’Course I came, honey! You’re the best lover I ever had!’ Trudy threw her head back laughing.

‘You hooked up last night? Where did you meet?’

Just as Trudy was about to spill, the phone rang. ‘Hold that thought! Good morning, Soulmate Connections, how may I help you?’

‘May I speak with Mia Bailey?’

‘Who may I say is calling?’ I replied in my best telephone voice.

‘It’s Susie from the Happily Ever After Awards.’

‘Susie! Hi! This is Mia speaking.’

‘Hi! Lovely to meet you last week.’

‘Same here!’

‘Are you free next Monday for the home interview?’

‘Should be fine. Let me just check my schedule…’ I rustled some paper to make it sound like I was flicking through my diary. Then I remembered that most people used the calendar on their phone and felt stupid. ‘I have a couple of openings. What time did you have in mind?’

‘Does six thirty work?’

‘Perfect!’

‘And will your, erm, partner be there?’

‘My partner?’ I asked before remembering I had one. It was going to take time to get used to it.

The fact that she’d asked about my partner confirmed what I’d always suspected: they preferred entrants to be in a relationship and used the home interview to unofficially check we’d be a good fit for the magazine feature.

It also meant she’d seen the article.

‘We heard you’re dating Liam Stone. You’re a very lucky lady!’

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