Wish You Were Her(93)
They fled the cinema, sending Grace and Jasper a message to explain, and grabbed a cab once they were safely concealed in a back alley outside. They made out in the back of the taxi in a way that obviously annoyed the driver, as he eventually cleared his throat in a disapproving manner.
When they were alone in the darkened apartment, they danced slowly to music on Jonah’s phone and Allegra felt, for the first time in years, like all the pieces of her were collectively assembled into one peaceful place. There was no division. No wishing that some parts were awake while others were stretched thin. She was thrillingly and miraculously all in one place, in one moment, with one person.
“You technically broke up with me tonight,” Allegra said, as they swayed to “Downtown Train” by Tom Waits. “I read your lovely email before I went onstage.”
“I did not break up with you,” smarted Jonah, which made Allegra laugh. “I broke up with the invisible person who had weirdly started avoiding questions about her age.”
Allegra screamed at that, as he eyed her accusingly. Amusement lit up his face.
“Look,” she said, still laughing, “I had to see if you really liked me or just some imaginary person on the other end of an email chain.”
“I’m glad that while I was pining and lost and feeling guilty, you were playing games.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“I liked the you I was speaking to before you realized I wasn’t Simon. And I love you. The pain in my ass from the bookshop.”
Allegra smiled. “Good. Ditto.”
She rested her head against his shoulder while they moved.
“I don’t know how you do your job,” he said quietly. “All those people, all of those opinions.”
“Well, you can’t ask people what they think. Or look it up. Someone gave my performance on IMDb one star once because they said I looked like someone who was mean to them once.”
“Excellent criticism.”
“It’s not my business what people think of me. Especially now, people treat art like it’s dishwasher liquid they ordered and didn’t like. ‘Didn’t meet expectations, wanted something else,’ et cetera. It’s not real. Only the work is real.”
“I’m noting all of this before entering the publishing industry.”
“I fear for the authors who will have to put up with your notes, Jonah Thorne.”
He smirked and then grew serious. He stared at her with eyes full of so many unspoken thoughts, all she could do was hold his face in her hands.
“I know,” she said gently. “I know, baby.”
“It’s like…” He looked at her with incredulity. “It’s like coming home. Like I’ve been walking on some barren, empty planet and I’ve not been able to see through the toxic haze. And then suddenly, there you are. And you’re everything.”
Allegra smiled, feeling wetness on her lashes. “You’re like me.”
He kissed her, a long languid one that made everything all right and then pressed his mouth against the place where her neck met her shoulder.
“Jonah?”
“Yeah?”
“This is so much better. So much better than everything I ever saw on a screen.”
“I know.”
And it was.
Chapter Thirty-Three
It was the last night of the Lake Pristine Book Festival after a successful three weeks, and there was going to be the annual firework show to celebrate the summer. Everyone began to gather on the beach of the lake in Lake Pristine. Families carried wicker baskets full of food. They would all inevitably have prepared too much, so people passed things around for others to sample. The sun was already setting, autumn now waiting to step in and take over.
Allegra sat near the edge of the water with her sandals next to her tote bag. Only her personal phone sat beside her. She knew there were huge reactions happening online, all to do with her performance at the screening, but she didn’t care. It was not her business. Her business was to watch the fireworks and have a wonderful time.
“Allegra!”
She looked up at the sound of her name and grinned as she saw Kerrie bounding over to her, almost knocking an elderly couple to the ground as she weaved chaotically through the crowd of townspeople who were settling on the beach.
Allegra was about to call out a greeting when the other girl threw her arms around the actress. She could feel tears on Kerrie’s face as she pressed it into Allegra’s neck. The touch was intense, a lot without warning and all very close, but Allegra hugged her back.
“Allegra, I’ve got six university invites!”
“What?”
“Yes! Your post, it lit everything on fire! Mapesbury called me at once, saying we could set up an interview. Then a bunch of other places, ones I was too scared to even apply for. I’ve been in virtual meetings with everyone!”
“Kerrie, that’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.”
“It’s all down to you! My dad says he’s never been prouder of me!”
Allegra smiled, the warm breeze from the water and the twilight over Lake Pristine making everything about the present and nothing urgent or serious. “That’s amazing.”
“I just wanted to say thank you. And I’m sorry. You deserve the world and I’ll never be able to—”