Page 82 of Absolute Certainty
The feeling of being herewithJay, knowing Martin wouldn’t be anywhere in sight, was a bloody treat. Sometimes, the universe was good to her.
She was so excited to see Alex and Aisha perform—so jazzed to watch the show when she didn’t have to deal with Martin’s ridiculous comments afterward, like how he’d heard someone cheering too loudly during the bows and immediately assumed it was her.It wasn’t.She knew better than to whistle and holler when he made her feel like shit for it. All his friends could do it, but God forbid Sahar had the same agency.
Jay broke her out of her thoughts with a whispered, “So, how are we embarrassing Alex?”
Sahar chortled. “She wouldn’t hate it, would she?”
“Nah.”
“I can whistle?” she offered.
A smirk rose along his lips. Everything in her came alive, immediately and all at once. “Hell yeah. So can I. And we’ve got to call her Alexandra. She’ll love it.”
“By love it do you mean she’ll hate that part?”
“Absolutely. But deep down, she’ll appreciate it.”
Jay could whistle. Jay didn’t hate the fact that she could.
The show was betterthan she remembered it. The understudy for Martin’s role was an ace, but more importantly, Alex and Aisha were incredible. They would’ve been perfect for theMidnights at Pemberleyensemble.
Standing in a secluded corner near the stage door, she and Jay waited for Alex to join them for lunch. Aisha was meant to as well, but cramps forced her to rest in her dressing room until the second performance.
Alex hopped out after a few short minutes and walked toward them. She hugged Sahar first, then her brother, and when they were face to face, her mouth flattened into a line. “So…uh, you know how I do that thing where I reply to texts in my head, but then forget to actually reply?”
Grumbling, Jay whipped his head in her direction. “What’d you do?”
“I completely forgot that Mom had offered to come down and have lunch with me today since Hayden and Jess took Ellie and the kids to Coney Island. I thought she’d meant next Thursday until she texted me asking what I wanted to eat.”
Oh fuck.Spending time with Jay’s sister, whom she was now following on social media and casually getting to know, versus meeting his mum wasnoton the day’s agenda. Scratch that, it wasn’t on themonth’sagenda.
Sahar alternated her gaze between the siblings.
“Sahar, I’m so sorry, will you still come? Our mom’s super chill,” Alex offered.
What’s the big deal? You’re not Jay’s girlfriend or anything. It’d be more awkward if you were. It could be fun. See how he is with his mum.
“She really is.” The look on Jay’s face was nearly begging her to say yes. It’d be hilarious if it weren’t so adorable.
Giving herself a moment to think, she said, “Sure. Mums love me.”But willJay’s?Her mind pestered.Does it matter? Yes.Ugh.
“I don’t doubt it for a second, sunshine,” Jay added, elation splayed across his entire face.
Sahar’s eyes went wide, wondering if Alex caught the endearment and what she’d think of it.
She said nothing, but an identical smile to Jay’s cascaded onto her face.
It definitely won’t be casual if you blurt that out in front of your mother,she thought.Maybe he’s affectionate and has an endearment for everybody.Jay? Of all people, the Jay she was getting to know wouldnotbe walking around calling everyone by a pet name.
Diverting, Sahar pivoted her attention back to Alex. “Well, show stopper, what doyouwant to eat?”
A blush crept up her cheeks. “I did want Raising Cane’s, aka the only good thing about Times Square now. But Mom won’t eat fast food. Any other suggestions?”
“There’s a Spanish restaurant nearby, isn’t there?” Jay aimed at Sahar.
“Yeah, Lucia’s. It’s a little closer to the Hyacinth,” Sahar supplied.
Alex answered. “Ooh, I’m down. I’m sure she will be, too.”
