“That’s it! Juliette’s work! Remember we talked about going into her school for an assembly? As much as she wants to ignore me, she’d do anything for those kids.”
“Yes! And there’s only two weeks left in October, so if she wants to do it during Fire Prevention Month, she can’t put you off.”
This was a great idea. If I could just get Juliette to see me—without breaking into her apartment or stalking her—I could get her back. I knew she still loved me just as much as she did two weeks ago. This had nothing to do with her feelings for me. I just needed Juls to give me a chance to hold her in my arms and soothe all her fears and worries and reassure her that we still belonged together. She once believed that we were better together than either of us were alone. I needed to make her believe that again.
I grabbed my phone to text her.
Me:Hi Juls. I’m back in the fire station and the guys and I were just talking about how we planned on bringing the trucks to your school and giving an assembly. I remember how much you said the kids would love it, and I’d still like to do it. I have to admit that I’m happy for a reason to see you too, but I promise we can keep it professional if that’s what you want. I’ll be happy just to talk to you and see you. Oops, I mean, I’ll be happy just to make the kids happy.
Juliette: You’re at the station?
That was an odd response. Was she upset I was here?
Me: Yes, I came to visit. Can you come here and we can talk about going to the school? Please?
Juliette: You’re there right now?
Me: Yes
Juliette: I’m parked outside your apartment. I was sitting in my car trying to work up the guts to go in.
My sweet Juliette.I quickly hit the button to call her.
“Hi,” Juliette answered quietly. Nervously.
“Juls, baby. Stay right there and I’ll get a ride back.” The words rushed out in a breath of desperation.
“No, stay. I’m already on my way.”
“I can’t wait to see you, Juls.”
“Me too.” Thank God.
I grabbed my crutches and hobbled outside to wait for her. “Juls,” I breathed as she stepped out of her car. Her beauty and sadness and vulnerability nearly broke my heart, but it was the fierce determination in her eyes that stole my breath away. “Baby.”
“Dylan,” she whispered back. “Are…are you…okay?”
“I’m okay, baby, promise. Everything is healing well, and the doctors think I’ll make a full recovery. I’m okay.”
That was actually a white lie, but looking at her worried face, I couldn’t not reassure her. The doctor’s exact words were that there was a chance that I might make a full recovery. Close enough, right?
“Thank God,” she sobbed.
I hobbled the few steps between us, and leaning against her car for stability, I grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her to me. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, burying my facein her neck. She wrapped her arms around me too, grabbed the back of my shirt, and burrowed her face in my chest. Oh, it felt so good, so right, to have her back in my arms again.
“It’s okay, baby, we’re okay,” I murmured over and over.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” she cried back repeatedly.
“Stop apologizing, it’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. I left you.”
52
Juliette
It felt so good to be in Dylan’s arms. I wanted to climb on him and burrow in like a baby monkey. I held back only because of his injuries, but emotionally, I was all in. If he took me back, I’d never let him go ever again.