Page 16 of Never Date a Celebrity

“I’m not that interesting.”

Amy held her gaze. “I disagree. You’re the most interesting person I’ve met in some time.”

Hello? What was that weird little flutter her heart did? “I think you might be the only person bar my mother to think so. But thank you.”

“Well, your mother is clearly a wise woman. And you haven’t answered my questions yet.”

Imogen smiled and went back over them in her head. “Let’s see. I’ve been a pub landlady for just over four months which means I still feel like a rookie, a fraud, and completely out of my depth—you may have already gathered that from earlier. I did not grow up around here, I was born and bred in Belfast. Which makes me a Ballyluck blow in. And you’d think that I see too much of it around here, but green. I love the colour green.” She left out that she thought that the colour of Amy’s eyes might be her favourite shade yet. Almost emerald with a few darker flecks. “And free time isn’t easy to come by right now. But I love being outdoors, especially around here. Exploring, walking, hiking. That sort of thing.”

“See, that’s all fascinating to me.” Amy ran her finger around the rim of her glass. “But you missed out my last question.”

Imogen feigned ignorance. “I did? I don’t think I caught that one.”

Amy narrowed her glorious green eyes, and Imogen was sure she felt her whole body melt at her smoulder. “Or you want to make me ask you again.”

“Me?” Imogen clutched a hand to her chest. “Do I seem like someone who would do a thing like that?”

“Yes, that’s the impression I’m getting,” Amy said straight away, and Imogen chuckled. “But you made me this awesome drink, so I’ll oblige. So once again, single or not single? And in my opinion, there is no in between.”

Imogen shared that opinion too. “I would have to put myself into the very very single category.”

“Very very single, huh? What does that entail?”

“It entails not being in a relationship. Not dating. Not looking. Being very stuck in my ways. And generally avoiding anything that might disrupt my peace.”

“Wow. Okay. That is very very single. I agree with your assessment.” Amy tilted her head. “The not looking. Is that because you aren’t interested in relationships at all, or…”

“Ask me an easier question,” Imogen replied. She hadn’t even thought about dating again since Chelsea. Somewhere along the way, she’d just gotten comfortable being by herself.

“Fine, but I’ll want to come back to it later. I’ve been told I’m like a dog with a bone when I want to know something.” Amy tapped her fingertips on the counter. “Okay. If you were to date—hypothetically—would that be with a woman or a man, or do you have no preference? And don’t make me ask this one twice because that’s a great big question to throw out there and I’m exceedingly brave for doing so once already.”

“I won’t make you repeat it, but I meant an easier question like in a whole different category.”

Amy grinned and shrugged. “You didn’t specify that.”

Imogen couldn’t help but smile as she shook her head. “You’re good. Okay, if I was going to go on this hypothetical date that you’ve mentioned then it would have to be with a woman.”

Amy gave her a satisfied smile like she had answered correctly. “An excellent choice. So, what made you leave Belfast?”

Imogen blinked. “I think I’m getting whiplash from how quickly we’re jumping between subjects here.”

“What?” Amy said innocently. “You told me that you wanted to change topic. And I want to know more about you. I have lots of questions on a whole range of topics. These are only my warm-ups.”

“I suppose I did.” It baffled Imogen that this captivating woman wanted to know anything about her at all, but she was happy to play along. She hadn’t enjoyed a conversation with a woman in, well, years. She had forgotten how good it felt when you clicked with someone. Imogen wanted to know more about Amy too, though she refused to examine why because she would only end up freaking herself out and finding a way to ruin it. It was better to stay in the moment and just enjoy chatting to Amy—for whatever it was. “Well, my friends are the reason I left. Piper and Niamh.” Imogen swept her hand across the room. “They wanted to move here and take on this place. At first, I thought the idea was insane, but I’m so happy we did it. The bar’s a work in progress for sure, but it’s our work in progress.”

“Isn’t everything in life really just a work in progress?”

“I guess so.” Imogen grinned. “That’s very deep for a Wednesday afternoon.”

Amy laughed. “I have my moments.” She turned and looked around the room. “I think it’s a great place.”

“If only more people agreed. I’m sure you can tell that we aren’t the most popular spot around.”

Amy gently squeezed her arm. Probably for reassurance, but it made Imogen’s heart rate pick up, nonetheless. God, it had been a while since Imogen had been touched, even with such an innocent gesture. She had almost forgotten what it was like to crave that kind of contact from someone. “Give it some time,” Amy said, letting her hand linger. “Didn’t you say that you’re still in rookie territory right now? You’ll find a way to make this place the hottest spot in Ireland in no time. I know it.”

“Can I get that in writing?”

“Absolutely. And then I’ll come back in a year, and you can tell me how right I was. I love hearing about things I’m right about.”