Page 137 of Absolute Certainty
Sahar hated that she was still hesitant to go somewhere with his close friends, even though he’dalreadyproven to her how attentive he was during the premiere. She’d met his mum, for crying out loud. She was comfortable around his little sister. Still, this was a little different. It was Patrick’s house.They were a couple now.It’d be significantly more intimate.
“There’s no pressure, sunshine. Pat just really wants to meet you, and I want you there,” he added.
“He does dinners like this a few times a year, you said?”
“Yeah, his dad would always host dinners and game nights with his fellow firefighters, and he used to encourage Pat and Hayden to do the same with their people. After he passed, it’s something they stuck to.”
Sahar had Googled Patrick’s father and learned that he’d died in an apartment fire six years ago. She’d watchedCuts;she’d seen how it had destroyed the character Patrick likely wrote in as himself. She also knew how much he’d meant to Jay, how Mr. Sharp had been there for him when his own father wasn’t.
“So it’ll be us, Alex, and you said three other writers and Eddie? Who’s inGrungewith Patrick?”
“Yeah, and Eddie’s fiancée. Tanya?”
“Tina,” she corrected. “Tanya’s inMidnightswith me.”
“See, you know better than I do.”
Sahardidlike Eddie. She’d known him since they’d been in a run ofLes Mistogether, and she knew Tina by association from social media.
She should do it, rip the plaster off. Shehadto trust in Jay’s promises.
“Okay, I’ll be there. Maybe I can talk to Alex, so we can head over together,” she suggested.
“She had the same thought.”
Oh.
“That’s comforting,” she let herself say aloud.
The first timethey’d had lunch at Summer Nori, the space hadn’t felt as significant. Sure, Jay’s wink had ignited a steadfast spark in her, but now, it all felt lovelier. Sweeter. She noticed every detail about the restaurant, from the oak panels to the small chips along the sides of this very table. The interior’s color palette of browns and beiges contributed to the warmth swelling inside of her.
They’d eaten and had about thirty-ish minutes to spare before she had to go into work for the matinee performance.
Side by side in the ensconced booth, Jay’s arm entwined around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him.
Sahar pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “Did you write the additional scene yet?”
He hummed his response against her temple.
“And when do I get it?”
“It’s already in your inbox.”
“Yeah?” she whispered.
“Yeah,” he whispered back, running his fingers over her shoulder.
“What do I get after this? You did say something about a bonus episode. What if I want the most achingly romantic scene ever?”
Pressing his mouth to her cheekbone, he lingered. “I’ll work on that, too.”
“Are you ever going to say noto me?”
“Unlikely.”
Sahar threaded her fingers with his. “Careful, it’ll go to my head.”
“Let it,” he replied, dipping his head and kissing her shoulder blade.
