Page 95 of Never Date a Celebrity

“Yes. Exactly that. I’ll still have to go away for work of course. Probably a lot, fair warning. But what if, when I’m not working, I’m here?”

Imogen could only stare. Her heart was racing. Was this real? This woman, this amazing woman, really loved her enough to move across the globe?

“I could always rent somewhere nearby if you’d prefer. I wouldn’t want to assume you’d want—”

“You better start assuming,” Imogen interjected, reaching up to hold Amy’s shoulders like she needed Amy to feel how serious she was, to see it in her eyes. “Yes, yes, yes. A gazillion times yes. There is nothing I want more than for you to stay here with me forever. Don’t you already know that? In fact, don’t wait. Move in right now.”

Amy beamed at her. God, she loved that smile. “Yeah?”

“Of course yeah!” Had Amy really thought Imogen would say no? “Who needs a fancy hotel anyway? That is, if you don’t mind living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment above a pub?” After all, Amy was a fucking Hollywood superstar. She was used to the fancy hotels. Penthouses. Mansions. Limousines. A far cry from Imogen’s one bedroom flat and her ten-year-old silver Corsa.

Amy looked at her affectionately. “Imogen, I love our tiny one-bedroom apartment above the pub. And I love you. So much.”

“Our tiny apartment—I love the sound of that!” Imogen practically launched herself at Amy, who squeezed her tight in return—thank God Amy’s ribs were practically healed now. “And I love you too.” Those words never got old. Hearing them. Saying them. Meaning them with all of her being.

Imogen pulled back and immediately caught Amy’s lips in a searing kiss. One that left no doubt about how she felt about sharing their lives together. Their home.

It was kinda surreal when Imogen thought about it. To think that in another life, Imogen would have stayed in Belfast. In the same lonely flat. Doing the same boring job. Her biggest decision in life would be working out which takeaway to order from for dinner.

But instead, because she’d taken a chance—or a few—there she was. In her cosy little home in Ballyluck. She had her pub. She had her friends. And now she had Amy. Her Hollywood happy ending.

Maybe celebrities weren’t so bad after all.

Epilogue

One year later

“I hope if I ever find someone to love, that they obsessively watch out of windows when they know I’m coming home,” Niamh said with a dreamy smile.

“When you find someone to love,” Imogen said as she walked back behind the bar again and slumped against it. “And it’s been four days. It’s normal to miss the love of your life after four whole days apart.”

“Come on. You and Amelia miss each other after four minutes apart,” Piper said.

Imogen went to argue but then realised it was true, so she just shrugged instead.

“Is she enjoying the job in London?” Niamh asked.

“Kind of. The filming schedule is a bitch, but at least it means she gets home most weekends,” Imogen said. “Though it will be even better when she starts that film in Belfast in the spring.”

“Did I read somewhere that Bridget Clemonte is going to be in that one too?” Piper asked.

“There’s talk of her taking on one of the smaller parts if she can fit it in between her other projects.” Imogen suspected that Amy was secretly happy about having Bridget there with her. She said it felt weird having no one to bicker with in London after working with Bridget on two films straight—her way of saying she missed Bridget. They weren’t the kind of warm and fuzzy friends who told each other that type of thing though. Hurling insults was more their love language.

Piper and Niamh started to smile about something—like they knew something she didn’t.

“What?” Imogen said. “You guys know I hate it when you do that. That wee secret look thing. We’re a trio, don’t forget. Always.” She felt a tap on her shoulder and whirled around. “Amy!”

“Hey, beautiful,” Amy said, standing right in front of her with a wide grin.

Imogen instinctively went to hug her, but stopped herself at the last second and planted her hands on her hips. “You’re such a sneak. I’ve been watching out that front window for you all day so I could run out and kiss you when you got here.”

“What?” Amy said innocently. “Can I not surprise my girlfriend by sneaking in the back door so I can see that adorable look on your face?”

Imogen softened and smiled. “When you put it that way, you absolutely can.” She leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Best surprise ever,” she whispered against Amy’s lips.

“I hope you two aren’t going to stand there all night kissing and making heart eyes at each other across the room,” Piper said. “We have a fully booked evening ahead.”

“It’s as if they all knew Amelia was coming home today,” Niamh said, knowing full well that most of them did. This was Ballyluck after all. Word travelled like the wind.