Page 6 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“I don’t think she wants a drink,” said Philippa, addressing the group and inserting herself between Roderick’s companion and the woman.

Roderick looked ashen and the other man staggered slightly.

“What are you?” said the clearly inebriated man. “Her girlfriend?”

“Yes,” replied Philippa without thinking. “I am. And I am also a solicitor, so I would advise you to step away.” The woman’s face whipped round to face Philippa’s, whose cheeks were now burning with fury.

“Yeah,” said the woman, her voice low and treacly. “I wouldn’t cross her if I were you.” She put her arm around Philippa’s waist. “I’ve been looking for you all evening, babe.” She kissed Philippa’s cheek.

Within seconds Roderick and his friend had melted away, and Philippa wondered if she had fallen into some kind of parallel universe where this woman really was her girlfriend. Her cheek tingled where the woman’s lips had touched it.

“Hi,” said the woman with an amused smile. “I’m Alex.” She removed her arm from around Philippa’s waist. “Thank you.”

“Oh, yes, well, you’re welcome,” said Philippa, reeling slightly. “I’m Philippa. And I hope that was ok. He looked like he was being a horrible letch, and I can’t bear that kind of thing.”

“Hey, that was fine,” laughed Alex. “By far the best networking event I’ve ever been to. I suspect it wouldn’t have been long before I had to give him a slap, so you’ve saved us all some embarrassment.”

Philippa laughed. “He could probably have done with a slap, but as your legal counsel, I’d advise against it.”

“Ah yes, you’re a lawyer,” said Alex. “I’m sure you would have made mincemeat of him. I’m just an arty graphic designer, so I don’t do anything that contributes to the betterment of society or justice.”

“Yes, but everyone needs a bit of creativity,” said Philippa, still slightly shaken by the last few minutes. “That said, I’m a family lawyer, not a criminal defender, so I suspect my job is less dramatic than you might imagine.”

“Fletch!” came a voice from behind them.

“Charlie!” said Alex, throwing her arms around his neck. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Charlie put her down. “I see you’ve met Philippa already.”

“Oh, we’ve done more than just meet,” said Alex with a wink.

Before they could talk any further, Gerry appeared. “Sorry, Philippa, I can see you were about to impart some news to me before, but I think I know what you were going to say. I’m so thrilled to see you happy with your new partner – Roderick told me all about it.”

Philippa felt a bubble of panic. She wasn’t afraid of Gerry knowing she was gay, but she didn’t know how she could explain that Alex wasn’t actually her girlfriend, that in fact they had only just met.

“Enchanted,” said Alex without missing a beat, taking Gerry’s proffered hand. “Philippa’s told me all about you.”

Charlie’s eyebrows hit his hairline. He gave Philippa a questioning look. Philippa just stared back at Alex as the other woman talked for them both.

“She’s too kind,” said Gerry.

“That’s my girl,” said Alex. “Kind to a fault.” She reached out her hand and took Philippa’s.

“She is kind,” said Charlie. “Surprising, too, sometimes. Full of ways to keep me guessing.” He side-eyed Philippa.

“Mmm, well,” said Philippa. Her hand felt strange, as if it had caught light where Alex touched her. “We’ve not been together for long.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” said Gerry, “I must catch up with Erin over there.”

The trio waved Gerry off, and Charlie turned to face them both. “What the actual hell is going on?”

Chapter Five

“An espresso martini for you, Phil, and porn star martinis for me and Fletch,” said Charlie, setting the drinks down. The three had taken residence around a high table in a cocktail bar in the smart hotel a few doors down from the networking event. “Now,” he said, setting his face expectantly, “explain.”

Philippa hadn’t spoken since they’d left the event, letting Alex do the talking. She and Charlie clearly knew each other well, as they fell into what looked like a comfortable routine of making fun of one another. She’d allowed their voices to fade into the background as Charlie ushered them out, declaring the event duller than ditchwater and insisting that they find somewhere else to hang out. In truth, Philippa suspected this was mostly because neither she nor Alex would explain what had happened while they were still in the corporate whirl of cheap wine and artificial smiles.

The sun was starting to go down and the light into the bar was red and orange. Philippa felt her face warming, but it wasn’t from the sun. She was still conscious of the imprint, where Alex’s lips had touched her cheek, a sense that she ought to check forlipstick or something. Although Alex didn’t appear to be wearing any.

---