Page 72 of Wish You Were Her

The car was moving very smoothly now. Allegra watched Arthur’s hand slip across and grasp Jasper’s, the one that was not gripping the steering wheel. Their fingers interlocked. She knew they were long-time residents of Lake Pristine and she wondered how many drives they had taken together, with their hands laced together just so.

Jasper pulled up next to the large house by the actual Lake Pristine. It still looked like a sleepy little mansion from a holiday card. It sat alone by the glassy lake, making it seem like a fortress and a haven all in one. Jasper ushered everyone inside, after checking that they hadn’t been followed. She grinned at Allegra and said, “Any trespassers show up, I’ll set my old cat on them.”

Allegra chuffed out a small laugh and followed her inside.

“No offense, Jasper, but this house looks a lot nicer than the last time I visited,” Jonah said bluntly.

“You’ve been here before?” Allegra asked. She realized everyone knew one another in Lake Pristine, but the Montgomery house always seemed so separate and intimidating.

“Yep. For the annual Montgomery Christmas Party.”

“I redecorated it all for Dad’s birthday,” Jasper said. “They’re in Florida right now, but I’ll pass on your compliments.”

“You’re a decorator?” Allegra turned to Jasper again.

“She’s a designer,” Arthur said firmly, the pride in his voice unmistakable.

Jasper invited everyone into the large, glossy kitchen andshe poured some ice-cold water. Grace was immediately very at home, fetching a tin of tiny cakes to pass around. Allegra and Jonah stood beside one another by the breakfast bar and his fingers brushed against hers, out of everyone else’s view.

“Did you grow up here?” Allegra asked Jasper, staring up at the high ceiling.

“Yes,” Jasper said, as she switched on a kettle.

“It’s unbelievable.”

“Thanks. I think so, too.”

“Do you still live here?”

Jasper smiled. “No. I live with this one now.”

She jerked her head toward Arthur, whose serious face softened for a moment.

“I’m going to build her a house on the other side of the water,” he said quietly, brushing his lips across her knuckles.

Jonah wandered into the small den area while Grace excitedly spoke to Jasper about another dance callback for the conservatory she wanted to go to. Allegra followed him and they sat, a little away from the rest of the group, on one of the sofas, staring out of the ceiling-to-floor windows that looked out over the whole lake.

“You don’t want to go to university when the summer is over?”

Jonah glanced at her, shrugging. “No.”

“Can I ask why?”

“I don’t do very well in educational environments. I always argue with teachers.”

“I think at uni, you’re meant to kind of argue with the teachers.”

“No, everyone hates that guy.”

Allegra laughed. “What do you mean?”

“The ‘this is more of a comment than a question’ guy. Theguy who challenges the person with a PhD and tenure. The guy who just wants to have his voice heard.”

Allegra arched an eyebrow. “Are you saying going to uni will turn you into that guy?”

He smiled and she marveled at his dimples. “Maybe. I’m not sure. Don’t want to risk it.”

“How long have you been at Brooks Books?”