Page 57 of Dumbstruck
Jonah glances up at me and smiles before returning to Richie’s phone. It’s brief, but it’s the kind of smile that warms me inside and out.
I’ve never been one to need much attention, but I want it. From him. Am I ready to share him with the rest of the world? Do I have a choice? He has implanted himself in my heart, and I’m pretty sure he’s there to stay.
“Oh, your publicist wants to video chat in the next day or two,” Dexter says while typing on his phone, making Jonah look up again. His eyes jump to me for a second before turning back to Dexter. “And your agent wants that audition sent to her before the end of next week, but I told her—”
“Hold that thought.” Jonah gently waves Katie away, pats Dexter on the head, tucks Richie’s phone into his pocket, and then he’s suddenly right in front of me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest. “You look worried,” he murmurs in my ear. “Why? Your plan will work.”
I sigh and melt against him, letting him hold up the weight of my worries. How did he notice that when he barely looked at me? “And if it doesn’t work? I think Beckett really will move filming to Los Angeles if things keep happening.”
“That’s not the end of the world. We’ve gotten a lot of the exterior shots already, and—”
“And you would be in California.”
Jonah has helped me feel confident again. Valuable.Desired. He’s brought life to my world that I didn’t realize was missing until his goodness illuminated the empty corners. And I’m not ready to lose that yet.
His arms pull tighter around me. “Yeah, I would.”
Suddenly wanting to change the subject, I slip from Jonah’s hold and ask, “How’s the script you got? Is it something you’re interested in?”
He frowns, though I’m not sure if it’s because of my question or because I’m not at his side anymore. “The script is okay. Not my favorite, but…” He shrugs.
“But what?”
“I’ll probably take the gig anyway. I generally don’t say no to opportunities.”
But it kind of sounds like he wants to. “Are you sure?”
“Why would I say no?”
I find myself smiling, suddenly wondering how many of his movies have been projects he disliked. “I mean, I know you want to keep yourself relevant, and I get that, but if you don’t like the movie, then don’t act in it.”
His expression shifts into a mixture of surprise and appreciation, and that is a look I could absolutely get used to. How often does he have someone to talk things through with? Or is he out there making career decisions on his own all the time? It’s not that he’s not capable, but I know all too well how stressful it can be to make choices without having someone to bounce ideas off of. Before Hank and I became friends, I was on my own when I moved here, and it sucked. My parents, supportive as they are, usually just agreed with anything I said.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Jonah’s team are the same way.
“It’s up to you,” I say when he remains silent, “but I think you should do things you want to do.”
“I talked to my dad last night.” Jonah grabs hold of my hand.
I have no idea how that relates to this conversation, but I am all for hearing more about his family. “Oh?”
He nods and shifts closer, bridging the gap I put between us only moments ago. “He got after me for helping pay for stuff on the farm, and he said some things that…” His eyes jump to the film crew in the room, and something sparks in his eyes. “Come over here.”
Tugging me with him, he moves to the back of the classroom, near an open supply closet and far from any of the other people bustling about the room. Once we’re alone, he takes hold of my other hand and breathes in deeply, as if to steady himself. “So I talked to my dad,” he says again, “and for some reason, something he said has stuck with me all day, and you just reaffirmed what he said, which makes me think it’s something I should pay attention to. What if I don’t have to cram my year with projects? What if I found a way to give myself some bigger gaps of free time?”
“Alright, people!” Beckett’s voice booms through a megaphone, which feels unnecessary given the small space. “Someoneforgot to bring the props we need for this scene, so let’s break for lunch and pick up again in half an hour.”
My heart rate kicks up a notch. “Hang on,” I whisper, “is the trap being set right now?”
Jonah nods, watching everyone filter out of the room, Beckett included. Richie pauses at the door, his eyes on us, but disappears after a few seconds. We’ll need to make ourselves scarce too, but Jonah doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. “Security must have noticed someone coming into the school who shouldn’t,” he mutters. “Looks like the cameras are rolling and ready to go.”
“We should go.”
“Wait.” Jonah’s hands tighten around mine. “I might chicken out if I don’t get this out now. If I figured out how to take some months off during the year, could I come visit you?”
My breath catches in my throat, and I feel like I just ran an ultramarathon. My heart’s pounding so hard that I can hear it in my ears, but I’ve never been this excited in my life. “Visit?” I breathe.
He leans in until his nose brushes mine. “Date,” he amends. “I want to come date you, June. Not just for a couple of weeks. And I know I said I didn’t want forever, but I feel like—” He stops, eyes jumping to the ceiling as a scratching sound fills the silent space. “Is that…?”
