Page 84 of If This Was a Movie

I take a deep breath, looking out the window on the front door and seeing there’s already a thick layer of white on the sidewalks and street.

Once again, Julianne Everett made a stupid, impulsive decision. I can almost hear my mother now. I quickly pull up the weather app on my phone, seeing every hour for the next ten says heavy snow is expected. Sighing, I come to the realization I’ll be stuck here for a while, then shoot a text to Nate.Thankfully, there are water bottles and snacks here, so I should be just fine.

It's fine; I’ll stay here for a bit.

Actually, this might even be the best-case scenario. Maybe I’ll be stuck here for days, no one able to reach me, and I’ll be here alone with my thoughts. I can put off this conversation for as long as I need, give myself time to continue to break apart the pros and cons, and convince myself the best option is to walk away before everyone gets hurt.

Because, in the end, everyone always gets hurt. Right?

Jules, a BLIZZARD is coming.

I roll my eyes, knowing he’s probably pacing the house, running a hand through his hair, an irritated grimace on his face, looking all cute, and—no, Jules. Stop thinking about how cute Nathan Donovan is. We need to be thinking about this with some kind of rationality.

Got it. I’ll stay here until it stops and the streets are clear.

Again, he responds almost immediately.

You’re joking, right?

I’m not stupid enough to drive in this weather.

I type this as I watch the snow come down harder, large flakes building quickly. With my last reply, Nate stops texting back, and instantly, I feel the loss of him and wonder if this is it, the moment he decides I’m too much of a headache, that I’m not worth the chase.

It would be for the best, of course, and would solve all of my problems. And in reality, patient, sweet, kind Nate, with the most precious daughter and the best family, deserves the world. He deserves someone trusting, with no baggage, who can jump in without looking.

Someone who, when a miscommunication happens, acts like an adult and confronts them instead of blocking their number and disappearing for a year. It should be an easy answer. I should protect everyone: Nate, Sophie, and myself, and bow out while I still can.

I spend the next fifteen minutes not dancing to distract myself but laying on the stage and staring at the ceiling, wondering how I got in this position. When the front door to the community center swings open, a burst of cold and fluffy snowflakes coming in, I sit up quickly, spotting a dark figure in the doorway, my heart pounding with panic.

“Come on,” Nate’s voice says, the panic turning into a different kind almost instantly. I continue to stare at him in the doorway, covered in a fine dusting of snow.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, beyond confused.

“Lock up, shut everything down. We have to go.”

I blink at him, still unmoving, trying to put the pieces together.

“What are you doing here?” I repeat.

He steps in, the door slamming behind him and his face becoming clearer—a mask of frustration there. “Jules, there’s a fucking blizzard. Please, get whatever you need and get in the fucking truck.”

“I don’t—” I start, then watch him grab my jacket, turning off lights as he moves around the room.

“Do you have boots?” he asks, looking at my socked feet.

“What?” I ask, feeling like that might be the only thought I can actually finish right now.

“Boots, babe. Do you have any?” His voice is softer now, sweeter, somehow making me more confused.

“I don’t?—”

“We don’t have time for this. Snow’s piling up quick. Where’s your bag?”

“My bag?” I ask in confusion, but he’s already moving to where my slouchy bag sits on a chair, grabbing the items nearby and shoving them in without hesitation.

“Anything else?” Finally, I get it together enough to actually answer, shaking my head. “Great.” Then he slings the bag over his shoulder before making his way to me.

“Wha—” I start, but then shriek as he bends, lifting me gently and cradling my body before making his way toward the exit. “Nate, put me down!”

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