Page 84 of Wish You Were Her
One tear slid free before Allegra could stop it. Jasper quickly caught it, but made no fuss. Instead, she reached into a large Dior tote to remove what looked like a portfolio.
“What’s this?” asked Allegra.
“Well, I’m actually here on business,” Jasper said, speaking with a brisk and bright tone. “I wanted to pitch something to you.”
Allegra’s eyebrows shot up. “A pitch?”
“Yes. I wasn’t able to stop thinking about what you said last night, about your unfinished apartment.”
Allegra stared at the sketches and colors Jasper was showing her. “You—you want to design my apartment?”
“Well, I would have to see what I’m working with but yes, I would love to. I think your first home as an adult should be entirely to your own taste. Screw what anybody else thinks. I will literally just make your ideas happen.”
Allegra could have kissed her. Somehow, Jasper had known that she needed distraction. More than anything, she needed to be diverted from everything that people were thinking and saying about her.
“And, I’ll waive my fee,” Jasper said, after showing Allegra samples and drawings and design ideas. “Only invoice for furniture and trimmings. As an apology for letting that shit go down while you were under my roof.”
“Jasper,” Allegra shook her head. “It’s not your fault.”
“Well, it’s definitely notyours,” Jasper said quickly. “Now. Talk me through your apartment.”
Jonah was due to start his shift at the festival, but he was not looking for volunteers to direct or guests to usher in. He was searching for one person and one person alone. He showered,shaved and threw on a white tee and jeans, plus his boots, before jogging to Main Street and heading for the festival site.
Volunteers were guiding a mass of visitors through the hay bales that represented the opening gates. Children were coming out of a smaller tent, many of them wearing face paint. There were food carts and ice cream vendors set up. People sat in deck chairs, reading newly purchased books. Everything was as it should be and Jonah would normally take a moment to appreciate their hard work paying off.
Not this year.
When he entered the green room, a few volunteers were already there and setting up for a full morning. Kerrie was organizing the hot drinks station and when she saw Jonah, her face darkened.
“Come to meet your new adoring fans?” she asked him sharply.
“No, Kerrie,” he said, less sharply than her but still with feeling. “You’re being mean. I’m sorry if those pictures hurt you but you’re not my priority. I’m not sorry I like Allegra, okay? Where’s Simon?”
“Those pictures didn’t hurt me,” Kerrie snapped, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. “I was stupid at that party. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Sure. Fine. Where’s Simon?”
“He’s taking the morning off. He’s not loving the news cycle right now.”
“You mean the one he initiated? He gave both of our names to some leech and now we’re all indicted. Allegra more than anyone.”
“She’s a big girl, Jonah, she’ll be fine.”
Jonah had been moving to leave the green room but that shifted something in him. He rounded on Kerrie, glaring ather. “She’s been nothing but nice to you, Kerrie. More than nice. Why the hell have you turned on her?”
“I haven’t turned on anyone, her dramatic tendencies are obviously rubbing off on you. Probably when you were rubbing all over her!”
Jonah wished he could give Kerrie what she wanted. He wished he could even know what that was. He knew there was hurt bubbling beneath the disdain and the antagonism she was demonstrating. Her resentment was a sour perfume she was trying to spray over her pain, hoping no one could scent what was really the matter.
“Kerrie, I’m sorry if you thought I was leading you on.” Jonah tried to be understanding, despite the adrenaline pumping through him. “I’m sorry for all of it. But I hope you don’t take this out on Allegra.”
“God, the way you defend her,” Kerrie said, almost inaudibly. She suddenly seemed overly fascinated with her cuticles. “She’s a multi-millionaire, Jonah, she’ll be fine.”
Jonah threw her a look of disgust and then stormed out of the tent. He was about to cross Main Street and head for Simon’s house on the other side of town, when he realized that a small crowd had gathered by the Arthouse.
Jonah saw, a little too late, that the press had set up just outside of the retro movie house and were waiting to see if anyone would talk to them about Allegra. Mrs. Heywood was saying something to a reporter with a camera but judging by his bored expression, it was probably nothing salacious. More likely local gossip about Virgil who ran the flower shop, a person Mrs. Heywood famously hated.
Jonah stepped back into the shadow of a tall tree, making sure to stay out of their eyeline. Most of them looked fed up, which he supposed was a good sign. A large black Mercedes suddenlypulled up, parking near Brooks Books. The driver stepped out and went straight into the bookshop. Jonah watched with curiosity and a slight pang of worry.
