Page 52 of Never Date a Celebrity

Amelia was already back in her hotel room, showered, and dressed in her fluffy white robe by the time her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Imogen. She immediately stopped everything she was doing and sat on the edge of the king-sized bed and opened the message.

Aww, the poor squirrels were clearly trying to get their big break. Your director’s mean for not leaving them in. Lol. I’m sorry it took me so long to reply, but we are a wee bit busy today. Yes, you heard that right. It’s Tuesday, and the Wishing Well has customers! Most of whom wanted our fancy food boards—it seems like word has already started to spread. Hopefully it will get even better by the weekend. Amelia smiled because she knew how much that meant to Imogen. She pumped her fist in celebration. Also, you as an action hero. Sure.

Huh. Imogen was a little vague at the end about the action thing. Maybe the cool thing to do would be to wait a few minutes before replying, but in Amelia’s opinion, that was a waste of time. Being cool was overrated.

That is the best news. What did people say about the fancy boards? Are there people there now? I’m sure you’re delighted, Imogen. I’m delighted for you. She added a few smiley faces. And sure? That’s it for me saving the world? Now I’m not convinced…

Amelia could see that Imogen had seen the message straight away, which meant she was sitting with their conversation open waiting on it. It felt like a tiny victory for their relationship. She began to reply right away too, Amelia watched the typing bubble appear almost instantly.

They loved them. They said they feel like they’re in some trendy pub in one of the big seaside towns or the middle of Belfast. Which is flattery from these people. Yeah, there are still five tables in. Five!! Sometimes we don’t have five tables in on a whole Saturday night.

Amelia could feel her enthusiasm radiating through the message. She wished she could be there to see how pleased Imogen was in person—the way her dark eyes sparkled with happiness. Amelia went to say so, but three dots began to bounce to indicate Imogen was typing again so she stopped herself. Probably for the best.

Yes, that’s all I’m saying about you kicking ass and saving the world. But take it as a compliment that I daren’t say more.

Amelia read over that part again, and then a couple more times. Was Imogen saying that she approved, approved of Amelia being an action hero? Like she dug the idea? Amelia bit her lip because she was almost sure that’s exactly what Imogen meant. Maybe all hope was not lost after all.

What if I dare you to say more?

Amelia knew that she was pushing the boundaries a touch. But what if Imogen was susceptible to the boundaries being pushed?

Amy…

Or maybe not.

What? You started it. You could have just left me thinking I would make a terrible action hero.

Amelia started to grin, picturing the look Imogen would be giving her if they were together. That playful glare she did when she was amused by Amelia’s teasing but pretended not to be. Amelia had to do something—she missed the easy back and forth that they’d had since they met. Imogen had described it as them “having good natural banter.” Over the last couple of days, their messages had been missing that, the banter. Amelia was determined to get it back.

As if I would ever do that to you!

Amelia smiled. How far would she be able to push this?

Then tell me what you were thinking.

The screen stayed blank for more than a minute. Maybe she shouldn’t have put Imogen on the spot like that. When Imogen did eventually begin to type, it was stop start, stop start. Like she was trying to think of what to say. Then her reply came through.

I was thinking that if you were in an action film being all tough, beating up a load of bad guys, wearing the kind of attire female action figures usually wear, then your fanbase would probably lose their minds.

Amelia let out a small squeal and threw herself back onto the bed, kicking her legs in the air. That reply was the equivalent to your crush admitting that they thought you were cute. Which was something she never thought she would get from Imogen again.

Would you?

Amelia pressed send before she could think better of it. She wanted to be respectful and all, but if there was any hope of Imogen still being open to the idea of them having any sort of relationship that went beyond friendship, then Amelia wanted to explore it.

Amy…it feels like you’re flirting…

What was that tone? Good or bad? See, this was why Amelia was not a fan of texting. How was she meant to know if Imogen was amused or annoyed? She stared at the message again trying to decipher it. Imogen wasn’t telling Amelia not to flirt, was she?

I am.

There. Being upfront and honest with her intentions seemed like a good way to go. She held her breath while she waited for Imogen’s response. She even grabbed onto one of her six pillows to hug because she needed something. Amelia practically chucked it away when it came.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t flirt with my friends.

Again, with the confusion. Was Imogen condemning the flirting or entertaining it? Amelia was pretty sure that if Imogen really wanted her to stop, she’d say so. Hoping she wasn’t reading the situation completely wrong, Amelia kept going.

Me either. It’s something I’m trying.