Page 62 of The Match Faker

‘Good. Text me the details and I’ll send someone.’

‘Where will they take me? Trudy’s at a show, so I can’t go to hers. I could go to my parents’, but I don’t want to bring this to their house.’

‘Come to mine.’

‘What? Thanks, but you live miles away, so it’ll take ages to get back here later.’

‘You won’t be going back there. It’s not safe. We can argue about this later. Get to the station and send the location before they spot you. Okay?’

‘Okay.’ My heart thudded.

Although I agreed that the most important thing was to get away from here, there was no way I’d be staying at Liam’s. Once the photographers realised they wouldn’t get a photo of Liam or us together, they’d go home.

I peeked around the van. More photographers had arrived. I had to leave before it got worse.

After unwrapping my scarf from my neck, I draped it over my head, hoping that it’d serve as a better disguise. I checked the coast was clear, then raced across the street. Several minutes later, I arrived at the station and sent Liam my location.

It wasn’t long before my phone vibrated. I answered the call.

‘Car’s outside. It’s a black Mercedes. I’ll text you the number plate. I’m on my way home now, so I’ll see you there.’ Liam hung up.

I spotted the car and the number plate matched, so I headed outside.

‘Mia?’ The driver got out.

‘That’s me.’

‘Come.’ He opened the car door. ‘Let’s get you home safely.’

He’d said he was taking me home. Except he wasn’t.

I was going to Liam’s and he wanted me to stay there.

Overnight.

During our date, I’d struggled to keep my cool around him for a couple of hours. But at least I knew I could go home and compose myself.

But tonight we’d be sleeping under the same roof and that was a whole different ball game.

24

Liam

When I opened the car door and saw Mia’s face, my heart bloomed.

Then I saw the fear in her eyes and my chest tightened.

The photos of us last night were a success. But they’d also fanned the flames. Now the press wanted more.

I shouldn’t have put Mia in this position. I should’ve known that once they’d got her name, it was only a matter of time before they found out where she lived and tracked her down. I should’ve warned her.

My first instinct was to take her in my arms and tell her everything would be okay, but we didn’t have that kind of relationship anymore.

‘You okay?’ I asked. She nodded. ‘We’ll drive the rest of the way in my car.’ I opened the door wider and held my hand out for her.

The heat from her palm instantly set my blood on fire. Her hand was just as soft as I remembered and I loved how it felt.

Phil drove us a few streets away to the house, where, unsurprisingly, there were a load of photographers.

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