Page 41 of Absolute Certainty
Oh, she must’ve destroyed him when she’d told him she readEvery Speck of Dustout of order. Sahar failed to hold back a grin. “See, I’d argue against that because knowing what’s coming doesn’t change the execution. I know that every romance, if it’s properly categorized, will end with the two main characters getting together, but how we get there is where the story’s magic lies.”
“That’s different. That’s being aware of the formula. But when you straight up find out the twist inThe Sixth Sense,it defeats the point of letting the story unfold as it’s meant to.”
Sahar’s smile grew. It was fun riling up Jay. “Did it hurt, Jay? When I told you I looked at the final page before reading the entire screenplay ofEvery Speck of Dust?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact, it did. Teaches me never to send you something that’s complete,” he bit back, his tone grumbly but gentle still.
She pushed her plate to the edge of the table and circled her water cup with both hands, bringing it closer to her while she slouched further back into the booth. “Does it make you feel better if I say it’s because I have trust issues, and I wanted to ensure that I wouldn’t be sad?”
He tilted his head in an unreadable expression. “I get that. I still think you’re wrong.”
“Fair. I’m wrong about many things,” she added, hating the way she admitted the last part.
“Nah, I’m sure your reasons for other things are valid, except for this. What was it that caused the trust issues?Game of Thrones?”
Sahar guffawed. It was fascinating how the series always came up as a point of discussion when considering finales. “Sort of? I wasn’t as attached to the characters, but in general, I find that in recent years, there seems to be a need to subvert expectations and shock the audience. It’s one thing to execute a great plot twist, but it’s another to take something out of thin air to cause conversation. And I see that complaint from countless critics, too. Beyond that, I like being able to see the seeds coming to fruition, yet it seems like some series would rather take the finale to places that honor the plot over the characters.”
Twisting her lips in thought, she added, “Life is sad as it is. I choose darker video games, sure, but these days, I want movies and TV shows that won’t rip my heart out by the end. I want totrustcreators. Plus, I have no shame in admitting that I’m a hopeless romantic. I can stomach heavier content, but when I’m exhausted and everything hurts, I’m going to turn toSingin’ in the RainorWhile You Were Sleepingand not12 Angry Men,even though it’s one of my top ten films of all time, you know?”
Jay twisted a piece of napkin around his fingers, bending and folding. “I’ll forgive you for calling12 Angry Menone of your favorite films.”
Sahar gestured a bow with her hand. “And look, if it’s any consolation, it’s something I do on very rare occasions. I don’t always spoil myself. I’m not a total monster.”
His lips broke into a genuine smile, eyes crinkling at the corners. She wondered what it’d be like to see all of his edges soften.
She wanted to ask about his daughter’s mother. What their relationship was and whether they were together, though she figured they wouldn’t be if she lived elsewhere. Did she even have the right to know this information? Were she and Jay at that level in their friendship? Was she into film, too? Maybe she could start with that.
“So, uh, your co-parent, partner?” Sahar phrased it as a question. “Is she in the industry as well?”
He shook his head. “Maya is a pediatrician. She couldn’t be farther from this industry. She’s also not my partner.”
Sahar opened her mouth, then closed it, wondering if there was anything else she could know. “How does that work? If I’m allowed to ask that.”
“Co-parenting?” he specified.
She nodded. “Yeah, like, are you two on good terms?” Sahar shook her head. “Sorry. Wow, I realize that’s really personal.”
His lips curved into an amiable smile. “You’re good, don't worry. We’re on great terms. We were young and careless when she got pregnant after a one-night stand. We tried to make something of it for Eloise, but neither of us had feelings for each other, and we’re better off as friends. She’s married now, and Gavin’s great. They get Eloise for the school year. I get her in the summer. On holidays, we alternate. I go over to Philly every two weeks, sometimes three if my schedule is shit, so I can see her for a weekend.”
“Wow, that’s incredibly healthy.”
“Few things in my life are, but at least this is.”
His honesty struck a chord, deep and puncturing. There were countless details about Jay that she wanted to know more about.
What did his father do to terrorize him? Was he still in the picture? Was his sister truly okay? She could sense the shadows looming around him—how suffocating they must be, forcing darkness to follow him home unrelentingly. Who held his hand at night when his demons came knocking?
He was a good person. She was sure of that—positive, now more than ever. And she wanted him to be happy.
She wanted to keep asking him questions, but instead, she said, “I appreciate you taking the time to see the show. I really hope you didn’t feel pressured or anything.”
“Not at all. It worked out conveniently. Eloise is staying over at my mom’s tonight. She has a playdate.”
Sahar’s lips quirked upward. “That sounds lovely.”
Jay smiled, his eyes sparkling in a way she hadn’t noticed before. Though she’d seen it elsewhere, it was the same look that Sam got in his eyes when he showed her something Ravi did.
Sahar opened her mouth to say something, but their waitress interrupted them with the bill instead. Rapidly swiping it toward him,Jay added his card to the plastic slot and returned it to her with a courteous smile.
