Lilah half laughed, half groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “She brought that up to you, too, huh?”
“Yep. Although she was mostly grilling me about how my relationship with Serena was all an elaborate cover-up.”
Lilah sat up with a sigh, shaking off the head rush. “God. I hate that this has to be part of it. Of us being together. I know I should just brush it off, but…it’s fucking weird, right? Doesn’t it bother you?”
He shrugged, taking her hand, rubbing his other palm lightly over her knuckles. “It bothers me because it bothers you. Of course I think it’s weird, but it’s not reallyaboutus, you know? They don’t actually know us. We shouldn’t let it affect us.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” She knew it didn’t sound convincing. He let go of her hand so he could wrap his arm around her waist, drawing her closer to where he sat on the edge of the bed, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
“I’m sure this is the worst of it,” he said. “It’s still so new, plus the show ending, plus Kate and Harrison getting together at the same time…but I don’t think things will be like this for much longer.” He dropped a kiss to the crown of her head. “Besides, can you blame them? I’ve been obsessed with the idea of us for just about as long as they have.”
He felt her smile against him. “So when can I see your blog?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to. It’s filthy. Unhinged. You’d never speak to me again.”
She laughed and tilted her head to kiss him. “Save it for our vows, then.”
…
Lilah’s strategy for getting through the panel was simple: smile. Wear her Engaged Listener face. Nod affirmatively and laugh where appropriate. Say as little as possible unless asked a direct question.
So far, it seemed to be working. With seven of them up there—the six principals, plus Walt—there was always someone ready to jump in and respond so she didn’t have to. When the moderator asked her what it had been like to return to the show, she recited the same rote response she’d been giving for months, though now it triggered a round of knowing chuckles from the audience when she mentioned how much she enjoyed working with the rest of the cast.
Shane, of course, was nailing it. Charming, funny, confident without dominating. It was all Lilah could do not to sit back and watch in admiration. Even when someone asked a question lightly poking fun at Shane’sLNLepisode, Shane didn’t flinch. He threw his head back with genuine laughter before playing it off with the perfect self-deprecating joke.
As the moderator prepared to wrap it up, inviting one last audience member to ask a question, Lilah let out a long sigh of relief that she’d made it through without incident.
The man who stepped up to the microphone looked like he was in his early forties, with a scruffy brown ponytail and a beard to match.
“Randall Meyer. I write forThe Geek Sheet. I waswondering if any of you could comment on the rumors thatIntangibleis getting a last-minute renewal for another two seasons?”
Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lilah briefly glanced around at the other cast members, who seemed as confused as she was, before her gaze shot straight to Walt. His brow was creased, his expression troubled, though that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
He cleared his throat. Lilah waited for him to shut it down, to drop a few hints about the spin-off. Instead, he asked, “Where did you hear that?”
Her blood ran cold.
“I don’t feel comfortable revealing my sources,” Randall said with a smug grin. The chatter in the audience increased.
Lilah’s eyes were trained on Walt, but it didn’t seem like he was going to say anything else. She leaned forward to speak into her microphone. “We’ve worked very hard to give the show the perfect send-off this season. It’s not easy for any of us to say goodbye, but I think everyone will be very satisfied with the ending.”
Randall’s gaze flicked to her, an unmistakable challenge in them. “But viewers have waited so long to see you two get together, and now the show is ending as soon as it happens. Isn’t that kind of a tease? Don’t you think you owe it to the fans to continue Kate and Harrison’s story?”
“Actually, I don’t think we owe the fans anything,” Lilah said crisply, before she could stop herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shane flinch. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” she hedged, trying to recover, the crowd already buzzing with disapproval at her answer. She dropped her hands to her lap so no one could see how much they were shaking. “Of course we’re very grateful to everyone who loves the show. But our firstpriority is always doing what’s best for the characters and the story.”
“Great answer,” said the moderator hurriedly, sensing an opening. “Thank you, Randall. Let’s give it up one more time for the cast ofIntangible!”
They headed offstage to significantly less enthusiastic applause than they’d entered to. As soon as they made it into the empty greenroom, the six of them huddled around Walt, fizzing with nervous energy.
“Is it true?” Margaux asked immediately, wide-eyed.
Walt sighed. “Yes, it’s true.” They all began speaking at once, so he held up his hands. “It’s true we’ve beendiscussingit. Nothing’s set in stone yet.”
“Why now? Why did they change their minds?” Shane asked.
With eerie synchronicity, Margaux, Natalie, Brian, Raf, and Walt all turned their heads to stare at Shane and Lilah. The two of them exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
No one needed to say anything. The answer was obvious.
