Page 35 of If This Was a Movie

“He asked if I unblocked him yet.”

“That was quick,” Harper says with a smile directed at Ava.

That was quick.

Again, he replies almost instantly.

“Oh my god, he already answered me.”

Both of my best friends squeal with excitement.

“What did he say?!”

I’ve been texting you every twenty minutes to see if you’d unblocked me yet.

I read it out loud, and Ava cackles. “Every twenty minutes! Oh, girl, he’s down bad!”

Only once every twenty minutes? Not very diligent.

“You know, if this was a movie…” Ava starts, and I roll my eyes.

“Stop it, this is not a movie. It’s just a shitty string of events leading to a very strange circumstance,” I say, justifying.

“Isn’t that how all rom-coms start?” Harper asks.

“Oh, definitely. I mean, look at me. I literally joined a pageant for shits and giggles and ended up with Jaime.” Thatdidhappen.

“You’re in a once-in-a-lifetime situation, Ava,” I inform her.

“And you’re not?”

I shake my head. “I’ve sworn off men,” I remind them.

“Does Nate know that?” Harper asks.

“What does it matter?”

“Because from what I can tell, he likes you. You like him, but you’re being too stubborn to do anything about it. I just want to make sure you’re both on the same page.”

“You know, I think you should just go for it,” Ava says with a giggle.

“What?”

“Go for it!Leaninto it. It could be fun.”

“Go for what?” I ask.

“Nate. The magic of finding him again. Lean into the whole Christmas miracle thing for his kid, but do it for you, too, Jules.”

I sigh and shake my head, knowing that just isn’t an option. Not if I want to stay sane.

“I’ve sworn off love, Ava,” I repeat, hoping this time it sticks. For us both.

“Again, because you thought a guy fucked you over. Now we know differently, and the world has dropped the movie-worthy chaotic adventure in your lap. Just do it! If not for love, do it for the story of it.” I pause, taking in her words and wondering what that would be like, leaning into it. Playing house with Nate for the month. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Well, for one, she could get hurt,” Harper says. “I think you’re forgetting what a mess she was after everything in January.”

Ava rolls her eyes and groans. “Isn’t that exactly why we should be encouraging her to go for it? You don’t get that upset over some random hookup.”

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