Page 25 of The Retreat
Imogen shifted beside her, nervous energy rolling off her in waves.
‘I feel like I’m about to walk on stage naked,’ she muttered.
Talia didn’t say anything to that, but she let her thumb brush lightly over Imogen’s knuckles, just once, not even thinking about it until it was already done. Imogen’s hand responded, tightening her grip on Talia’s. Just for a second.
Talia glanced sideways at her—at the faint flush high on her cheeks, the way her chest rose and fell a little too fast—and felt an unexpected jolt of protectiveness.
Side by side, they started down the stairs, the chatter and clinking glasses swelling around them. Heads were already turning. Eyes tracking them as they descended.
Talia lifted her chin and pasted on a smile she prayed looked natural.
Sixteen
Imogen clung to Talia’s hand like it was the only solid thing in the room.
The moment their feet touched the ground floor, she felt the weight of a dozen curious stares settle on them.
She knew how she must look. A little stiff, a little too careful. Not veryAlex.
Talia leaned into her, just a little. A subtle nudge against her side. ‘Just breathe,’ Talia murmured under her breath.
Easy for her to say.
Imogen followed Talia’s lead, angling their path toward the fireplace, where a small cluster of people had already noticed them. Their expressions were open, smiling, expectant. One statuesque woman was practically buzzing with excitement.
Oh god. That’s her boss!
Imogen summoned a smile. It felt foreign on her face, too wide, too much. She tucked herself half a step closer to Talia as they closed the distance.
Celeste got there first, cutting across the last few feet with a speed that suggested she’d beenwaitingfor this.
‘Talia!’ she cried, throwing her arms wide.
Talia let go of Imogen’s hand to be pulled into a quick, crushing hug while a handsome grey-haired man hovered at her elbow.
Celeste turned her attention to Imogen, her gaze sharp and assessing. Not unfriendly, butdefinitelythe kind of look that was sizing her up in real-time.
‘And Alex!’ she said brightly.
Alex. Right. That’s me.
‘I’m Celeste. This is my husband, Mitchell.’
The grey-haired man gave a sheepish wave. Imogen waved back.
‘Lovelyto see you again,’ Celeste said.
Imogen reached out automatically, her heart hammering against her ribs. Celeste’s handshake was firm, enthusiastic enough to jolt up Imogen’s arm.
‘Hi,’ she said, wincing internally at how small her voice sounded. She cleared her throat. ‘It’s lovely to meet you. Again.’
Talia bumped her shoulder lightly with her own, a gesture she somehow understood to meangood job,and some of the cold terror loosened. She knew it was probably bullshit. Talia just wanted her to relax into this. Still, the gesture was appreciated.
Celeste beamed. ‘Honestly, it’s about time she brought you along to one of these things.’
Imogen pasted on a smile and tilted her head the way she imagined a relaxed, confident girlfriend would.
‘She’s always trying,’ Imogen said. ‘But a doctor’s hours…’
