Page 74 of The Retreat
Celeste groaned. She gestured to the door. ‘This is done. You can go.’
Talia didn’t argue. She turned and walked to the door, hand on the handle. But before she left, she looked back. ‘I’ll put in my resignation when we get back.’ And she walked out.
Fifty-Two
Imogen sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door intently. Her hands were clenched in her lap. She felt sick.
They’d been so close to getting away with it. Talia had been so close…
The door finally opened, and Talia stepped inside slowly. She didn’t speak right away, just closed the door and leaned against it, tired.
‘I’m sorry,’ Imogen said, standing. ‘If I’d just gone and chucked some water in Rhona’s face, none of this would have happened.’
Talia laughed despite herself. ‘I don’t think doctors do that.’
Imogen sat back down. ‘You’re right. I guess I would have fucked it up either way.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that. This isn’t your fault at all.Imade Alex up so I could pretendIwas a real person.’
‘You’re averyreal person,’ Imogen said instantly.
‘Why did I pick “doctor”?’ Talia asked herself, sadly amused. ‘I could’ve gone with graphic designer or pilot oranything. Butcher, baker, candlestick maker…’
She blew out a breath and walked over to the bed, sitting beside Imogen.
‘I’m actually sort of relieved it’s over,’ Talia said at last. ‘The lie, I mean. It was exhausting.’
Imogen swallowed. ‘Good.’
‘Good?’
‘Lying doesn’t come naturally to you. I don’t hate that.’
‘I’m a lawyer,’ Talia reminded her.
Imogen laughed and stopped herself quickly. She was careful not to let their knees touch. It wasn’t the time for touching. Talia’s life had just imploded. She had to wonder if it had taken what was between them with it. After all, Talia’s job was everything to her. Could she forget that Imogen had been instrumental in a moment that had ruined her life for thesecondtime?
Talia was quiet, but Imogen could feel her thinking. Imogen could only await her verdict.
‘You didn’t ruin my life,’ Talia said like she’d read her mind. ‘It wasn’t much of a life if it was built on a lie.’
Imogen turned to her, surprised.
Talia’s eyes were fixed ahead, but softer now, like something in her had dropped its armour. ‘I’ve been…contained. For so long. I thought if I could keep everything tight enough, clean enough, professional enough… I’d be safe.’
‘And then I happened.’
‘You happened,’ Talia said, a faint smile tugging at her mouth. ‘Like an earthquake. Or a very sexy hurricane.’
Imogen looked away, flushed. ‘I was just trying to help.’
‘You were. You did.’ Talia paused. ‘I know it wasn’t just the money, either. You had my back. I liked it. I really did.’
Imogen finally looked at her, and Talia turned her head to meet her gaze. There was so much in it. Fear, panic, sadness. But something else too.
Talia reached over slowly and covered one of Imogen’s hands with hers. Her palm was warm.
It wasn’t a kiss. Not yet. But Imogen turned her hand to thread her fingers through Talia’s, and they sat in silence. Comfortable and exciting silence.
