Page 28 of Wish You Were Her
“Hey, Allegra,” Simon pounced when Jonah was unable to respond. “We’re having a game night at my house tonight. Werewolf.” When she looked slightly unsure, he clarified. “Social deduction game. Loads of us will be there and you can be the guest of honor.”
“Only if Grace and Kerrie are invited.”
Simon placed a hand over his heart and smiled charmingly. “Of course.”
“Then sure.”
As she moved away to eat lunch with Simon, Jonah took her place at the computer. He felt awkward and embarrassed. He quickly closed her search window and went to the bookshop inbox. He had always been better about his feelings when they were written down, he always liked himself more through the written word. So, he started drafting to the only person who seemed to have any patience for him anymore.
A person he didn’t even know.
RE: Messing Things Up
Hey,
You first got in touch to ask about the festival dates and I just want to say, if you’re near Lake Pristine or intending to come here soon, please pay me a visit in the bookshop because I’m losing friends left and right. I’ve been an asshole. I keep saying and doing the wrong thing. Nothing really new there.
Sorry for rambling.
A remorseful bookseller x
Allegra was still hot with annoyance as she ate with Simon. She ignored Jonah with intense determination, only looking up when she heard him go into the back office. She exhaled and shook her head slightly, furious with him and with herself for continually letting him goad her into a fight.
“You okay?” Simon asked softly.
She was touched by the seriousness in his usually buoyant voice. “Yeah. He just gets to me a bit.”
Simon glanced at the closed office door, his brow slightly furrowed and his eyes colored with concern. “He doesn’t mean to. Trust me. He’s a good guy.”
“Just not with me.”
“He just loves the festival. And your dad, too. George has been such a big deal to Jonah, giving him a job, responsibility and stuff, you know. He might be a bit threatened by you and he just can’t get on top of it. Honestly. I’m usually the super immature one between the two of us, he’s always been the good example.”
Allegra offered up a wry smile.
“Sorry, by the way,” Simon added, still speaking softly and with a grown-up tone Allegra really liked hearing him use. “I sometimes say stupid shit. Just to get your attention. It’s cringy and childish and I know I need to stop.”
She handed him a napkin and gestured to a tiny drop of sauce on the corner of his mouth. She was glad to hear an apology. His immaturity had been a dampener on her mood and she was starting to grow tired of giving him the benefit of the doubt. “That’s okay, Simon. You’re all good.”
He smiled appreciatively, wiping away the speck of red. “Think you can extend that compassion to Jonah? He’s genuinely a good person. I swear.”
Allegra said nothing for a moment, crumpling up the paper sandwich wrapper.
“I’ll see how Werewolf goes.”
Simon chuckled and helped her to stand. “Ominous last words.”
Chapter Nine
RE: Wish You Were Here
