Page 34 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“She strikes me as someone who would give pretty good advice,” said Charlie. “But ok, tell me what happened.”

Philippa sighed and gave him what, in her professional life, she would have called a high level summary.

Charlie frowned for a moment. “Sounds both good and bad. I mean, well done for being honest and saying how you felt. Just tread carefully. I wouldn’t want either of you getting hurt.”

“Yeah, I know,” said Philippa, disappointed that her first kiss with a woman seemed mired in complexity.

“She’s more vulnerable than you might think,” said Charlie.

“Really, how so?” asked Philippa.

“Not my story to tell, I’m afraid, darling, but she is a good egg. Know that,” said Charlie.

“I’m getting that sense,” said Philippa, remembering how Alex had come to rescue her at the hospital.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Philippa power walked from her electric car to her office. Alex was due to arrive at 8.30am, and she wanted enough time to be able to get in, have an espresso and settle herself down. She was nervous about seeing Alex again, after that kiss. She’d stopped pretending she hadn’t played it over and over again in her head.

As she walked, she imagined a different scenario, one in which Alex had followed her out into the rain and kissed her again, but this time more passionately. It would be the kind of kiss that would make her forget about the rain, and not even mind the destruction of her quiff. She shook her head at herself. This wasn’t helping. She needed to pull herself together and get a grip.

She crossed Pigeon Park, admiring the cathedral and its William Morris stained glass as she went. Birmingham was a more beautiful city than so many people gave it credit for.

The office lights were already on. Sienna was tapping away at her laptop in the open plan area, hardly noticing Philippa as she swept through.

“Morning, boss,” said Sienna, popping her head up at the last moment before Philippa opened her office door.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, don’t call me that,” said Philippa. “But good morning to you, too.”

“Ha ha, ok then. I was heavily influenced by watchingThe Devil Wears Pradalast night, and am clearly channelling Andie,” said Sienna with a grin, before continuing with her work.

Philippa chuckled and then went into her office. She wondered if this meant Sienna perceived her as a Miranda Priestly-like figure. Part of her hoped so, the egotistical part of her, but most of her hoped not. The Meryl Streep character was not someone who championed the team around her, and Philippa liked to think that she was.

Half an hour later, having had a coffee and ensured she looked professional and in control, she watched as a familiar face entered the office floor.

Alex.

Natural blonde highlights shone through the light brown waves of her hair. She was wearing a chic blazer over skintight black jeans that made Philippa feel slightly weak at the knees. Was this a bad idea? She hoped not. This was a professional meeting only, right?

Sienna showed Alex to her door, and Philippa ushered them in before either of them was forced to knock on the glass.

“Good morning,” said Philippa, “lovely to have you here, Alex.” She smiled, trying to exude as much nonchalance as she could.

“Morning, boss,” said Alex with a wink.

“Oh, don’t you start,” said Philippa and Sienna laughed. “Ok, come and take a seat.”

“This is seriously impressive, Phil,” said Alex, taking in her surroundings. “I knew you were high-powered, but this isamazing. A bit different to the cosy co-working space I use in Kings Heath, that’s for sure.”

“Thank you,” said Philippa, wanting to move on swiftly. “And that’s why you’re here. Sienna, this is Alex Fletcher, a graphic designer and artist. Alex, this is Sienna Pierce, one of our paralegals.”

The women shook hands. “Great to meet you, Sienna,” said Alex. “So tell me, how can I help?”

“Well,” said Philippa. “I’ve been thinking about this presentation, about our company offering family law services to Gerry’s firm. We have the content drawn together – huge thanks to Sienna for that. But I think we need something to set us apart. And I wonder if that could be a visual identity?”

“I like the idea,” said Sienna.

“What kind of thing are you thinking?” asked Alex, grabbing a notepad from the messenger bag across her shoulder and starting to jot down notes.

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