Page 20 of Never Date a Celebrity

Piper gave her a playful nudge. “Not in the Guinness anyway. Huh, Immy?”

Imogen faked a glare at her. “You behave. It was a very civilised, pleasant conversation I’ll have you know.”

Niamh clapped her hands together. “Well, this feels like a milestone. Could this become a thing? You chatting up women? Putting yourself back out there again?”

“Could be,” Imogen replied nonchalantly. The cat was already out of the bag so she may as well go for the big finish. “Or maybe I’ll chat up the same woman again who I happen to be seeing this weekend.”

Piper and Niamh started to squeal in celebration, the way they often did when they were excited about something, and this time Imogen joined them.

“You’re going on a date, Im,” Niamh said warmly. “That’s amazing.”

“Wait. I don’t even know if it is a date.”

“Well, let’s look at this. How did she word it?” Piper asked.

“Like a hang out and we’ll see where it goes? Though I think she realised that I could get skittish if she went in full force. And let’s face it, she was right.”

Niamh and Piper both looked at each other, then back at her. “See where it goes?” Piper repeated slowly, like the hidden meaning was obvious.

“Definitely a date,” Niamh said. “This is huge. Monumental.”

“Stop that. This was why Amy was right to take the pressure off. I’m already freaking out about it. Ugh. I should cancel really.” Although that would be difficult when Imogen hadn’t asked for Amy’s number. God, she was out of practice at this dating game, casual or otherwise.

“Why would you cancel?” Niamh asked with a frown.

“For so many reasons. She lives in another country for one. Then there’s the whole film thing and you know that I’m literally allergic to anything that garners attention.” At their dubious looks Imogen said, “Come on, I don’t even do social media and we’re talking Hollywood here. Not to mention, the woman is so out of my league.”

“Well, we know that’s not true,” Piper said. “You underestimate your league position all the time. It’s annoying really.”

“I do not.”

“Do too. Don’t forget that I fancied you before we went all platonic BFFs. And I’m a catch.”

Imogen knew that her cheeks definitely turned red this time. The fact that Piper had been attracted to Imogen, once upon a very long time ago, was one of those taboo subjects that was never, ever spoken of. It was back when Piper had first started working at Clover. Pre-Chelsea. Piper used to flirt with Imogen shamelessly in the halls and persistently asked her out any chance she got. Imogen always brushed her off because dating someone you work with could get messy. Then one day Niamh eventually talked Imogen into accepting—because apparently Niamh had always tried to push her out of her comfort zone. It had probably been the best thing that she had ever done too, because by about twenty minutes into their date, Piper and Imogen both knew that they were destined to be in each other’s lives, but very much as friends. The three of them became thick as thieves after that, and the rest was history. “I can’t believe you went there.”

Piper winked at her. “There aren’t many places I won’t go, gorgeous.”

Niamh shot her a look this time.

Imogen took the high road and ignored her. “Whatever. But what about the other things? All good reasons not to go.”

“You don’t have to marry her. You can hang out and have some fun while she’s in town without it being a big deal,” Niamh replied, ticking it off on her finger.

Imogen wasn’t sure. As gorgeous and amazing as Amy was, was Imogen really going to entertain some short-term thing with someone who lived across the globe? She’d never really done casual, nor did she make lust-based decisions.

Niamh held out another finger. “As for the film—it’s not like she’s Bridget Clemonte. I doubt we’re about to see photos of your beautiful face plastered all over the cover of Hello magazine just because you go on a date with one of the film crew.”

Probably a valid point. “Well, how about the fact that I’m very comfortable with the way my life is. I like being alone. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t want this to disrupt my equilibrium.” In truth, Imogen wasn’t sure if she liked being alone, or if she was just used to it now. But she was content. She could say that.

“There’s nothing wrong with it if it’s what you really want. Or maybe it’s more that you like to play it safe ever since Chelsea,” Niamh said, avoiding her gaze by rearranging some of the spirit bottles—she liked to arrange the colours to make rainbows.

“Um, ouch.”

“Sorry,” she said with a grimace. “But don’t you think I’m right? Even a little?”

Reluctantly, she did. Of course Imogen knew that was a big part of it, even if she hadn’t expected to be called right out on it. But that was Niamh for you. She didn’t shy away from some tough love—and it usually worked. “Fine. I’m terrified to get involved with someone, even if it’s only short-term. There, I said it.”

“Immy,” Piper said softly, reaching out to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “You don’t need to be scared. We’ve got you.”