Page 44 of The Retreat
The clatter of forks against plates and the gentle hum of chatter filled the softly lit room, but to Imogen, it all blended into a kind of background fuzz she couldn’t quite focus on.
The low murmur of conversation, the clinking of glasses, it was all on mute.
Her head was back in the bedroom, on the words she hadn’t gotten out.
She had to shake herself back to reality.
The moment alone with Talia was over.
Imogen had tried, but Talia hadn’t heard. So no one had confessed anything or thrown anyone on the bed and ravished them.
Imogen was back on duty.
She was Alex.
Supportive girlfriend and the perfect prop to help nudge her over the finish line for that promotion.
She glanced sideways at Talia, who was mid-sentence with Celeste. Law firm politics might as well have been a foreign language to her, but she could read the room well enough: this dinner was mission-critical.
‘You crushed the Barret case,’ Celeste said, folding her hands. ‘That’s exactly the kind of brainpower we need stepping up to partner.’
Talia nodded modestly, her face calm but her eyes holding a flicker of Have I won yet?
Imogen took a careful sip of her wine, willing herself not to spill it down her front. She wanted to be perfect tonight. She wanted to get Talia where she wanted to go. Not that Talia seemed to need much help at the moment. Celeste was all but saying the job was hers.
But then Celeste caught Imogen’s eye and gave a sharp, appreciative smile. ‘Alex, it’s great you’re here. Support like this means everything. Helps Talia keep her feet on the ground.’
Imogen blinked, surprised. She knew she had to say the right thing. The perfect thing. ‘I’m happy to be that for her,’ she said.
‘I know this weekend has been a bit much, but we’re glad we got to know you,’ Celeste said warmly.
‘I’m thrilled I could come,’ Imogen replied with what she hoped was enough enthusiasm.
‘I know you’re a busy woman; hope we haven’t dragged you away from anything crucial?’
‘I had the time, don’t worry,’ Imogen assured her.
That was true enough. Doctor Alex would always be on call, but Imogen had very little going on right now.
‘Must be difficult to manage the relationship with your hours?’ Celeste asked.
Imogen knew it wasn’t a casual question, despite how it was carelessly tossed. She glanced at Talia. She was smiling pleasantly, but Imogen could read her mind. Please nail this.
Imogen nodded. ‘We both work a lot. But we make it work. We find the time for each other,’ she said, remembering the talk she’d had with Talia that afternoon about the Monroe firm culture. ‘Life’s about balance, right? That’s what Talia always tells me.’
‘Absolutely,’ Celeste agreed with a nod.
Talia shot Imogen a grateful glance. Perfect.
Celeste turned away, and the table relaxed as the conversation drifted to summer holiday plans. But Imogen stayed alert, her brain ticking: Keep it light. Keep it supportive. Don’t mention the mess she and Talia were both silently avoiding.