If This Was a Movie (Evergreen Park #2)

by Morgan Elizabeth

To the hopeless romantics patiently waiting for their happily ever after.

The world is chaos and full of disappointment and heartbreak. I like living in the fantasy of that, that two people could meet and go on some grand adventure and fall in love and ride off into the sunset.”

“Plus, if you think of every bad moment as a plot twist, everything seems less…consequential. Then you can be excited, waiting to find out what happens next instead of stressing about it.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you, Jules.” He says it in awe, and I panic. “Is that…is that a good thing, or do you mean it in a you should seek professional help way?”

“Not on my watch. When you’re with me, if you get hurt, I take care of you,”

“I want…I want to be loved madly. I want to live a movie-worthy life and wake up knowing every single day it’s my reality. I want to find someone I wake up every morning excited to spend time with. I want someone who loves everything about me, even the parts I don’t like. Some people in my life…they think I’m being crazy, that I’m being unrealistic, and that’s fine. I know one day, I’ll find it, even if it takes a lifetime. I refuse…I refuse to settle for less than I deserve.”

“The only kind of help I need right now is a fucking lobotomy,” I mumble under my breath.

She’s cute. So fucking cute.

Never in my life did I think I’d use a five-year-old as a wingman, but here we are.

“Well, is he hot? Because I could maybe forgive a murder—”

This is why men are only good when they’re fictional. Because in the real world, they’re always a fucking disappointment.

“And Jules? There hasn’t been a single day in three hundred and thirty-two days when I haven’t thought of you. What you look like, how you made me feel, how you taste. I won’t fuck this up this time.”

He’s kept the syrups I like for my coffee in his house for a year just in case I made my way back into his home. A year of remembering how I like my coffee after barely two nights together.

“If your dad says it’s okay,” I say, looking at Nate, who shrugs. “Oh, he doesn’t mind. He’s in love with you. He told me! Do you like cereal?” she says like she didn’t just drop a bomb on me.

“Oh, and Jules?” He looks at me, and I don’t respond, but he still knows I’m listening somehow. “Unblock me, okay?”

“Anyone can be brave if they want it bad enough, Jules. You know what I say: Shoulders back, tits out, bitch. You were born for big things.”

“I’ll walk you home,” he says. I shake my head. “That’s really not necessary, Nate.” “Well, it’s going to happen anyway, so get over it,” he says.

“You were never just some chick I hooked up with, Jules, and you know that. You were always more. So much more, I didn’t understand it at the time. But then my daughter ran to you on a crowded street, as if she knew too, like she could feel the pull of you to us.”

I lied, I hung up the mistletoe. And it was so fucking worth it.

“No, that’s not romantic. Romantic is a man who will move heaven and earth until she’s his.”

“I’m totally crazy for you, Jules. Whatever version, whatever bits of you you’re willing to share,” I whisper.

“If I fall, I could get hurt. Really, really hurt, Nate.” I’ll take it. I shake my head. “I’ll always catch you.”

“Only boys for me, Princess. Don’t ever have to worry about that.” Her mouth drops open as she stares at him, then smacks him in the chest. “But I want a little girl! A mini me to dress up.” He sighs, staring at her, then pulls her into his arms and presses a kiss to her hair. “Then you’ll get it, Ava. When have I ever been able to tell you no?”

“It’s not trash, Jules. You like it, so I like it. That’s how this works. If it means I get to spend a few hours on the couch with you, I’ll choose it every time.”

“I missed you. I had alone time all day, away from you. I want my Jules time.”

“It’s not too much. Nothing is too much for you, Jules. You deserve the world. You deserve your life to be the most romantic, cinematic masterpiece that was ever created, and I’m making it my mission to help you see that.”

Jules Likes is the title of the note, and below are various items.

He made a list of everything she likes!! Ombgdss

Everything about you is important to me, Jules.”

I’ll be here, Jules, when you’re ready. Waiting for you. And when you’re ready to jump, I’ll catch you.”

“You’re in love with me, and it terrifies you,” he says. “I love you, Jules. I love you, and I’m going to fight back your fears every day until all you know is feeling safe.”

“Nothing more beautiful,” he whispers against my lips. “Nothing more beautiful than you giving me that. I love you, Julianne. Thank you for giving me this. For giving me you.”

I love you madly, Jules. Let me love you madly.

“Let me love you madly. Let me make your life a fantasy. Let me give you the fairy tale ending you deserve. So, Jules, will you marry me?”