he plants his hands on his lean hips. "That's not what happened."
"You sat in that room and let them fire me without saying one word in my defense."
"You weren't in that room all morning when that's exactly what I did. I offered to quit if they'd let you stay."
"But you didn't threaten to quit if they fired me."
His jaw clenches shut and he runs a hand through his hair.
"I didn't think so," I mutter and stalk into the bathroom, gathering my shampoo, razor and shower gel out of the shower and dump them into the suitcase with my makeup bag.
"Julianne, it doesn't do us any good if we're both unemployed."
"Fuck that! Nate, I knew when I stepped foot in your apartment for the first time that this could happen. I knew what I was getting myself into. And you know what? I chose you. I CHOSE YOU!" I poke my finger into his chest and pace around the room. I am on fire. "If those people had asked me, I would have told them that I loved you and they could kick my ass if they didn't like it. I didn't lie when he asked me about our relationship. But you sat six feet away from me and didn't even show any goddamn emotion!"
"Jules…"
"No," I interrupt and pace back toward him. "I don't give a fuck about that job right now. I'll get another. What I care about is that I didn't even know you today. The man who defended me with every fiber of his being Friday night wasn't there. The man who makes sure I don't get hit by cars in downtown Seattle and makes me feel safe, wasn't fucking there."
"Goddamn it, Jules, what was I supposed to say?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe something along the lines of, "It takes two to tango?" or "If you fire her, I'm out too?" I throw underwear and shoes into my bag, not even caring to see which ones they are exactly, and I zip the bags shut.
"If you'll calm down, I'll tell you what happened before you came into the damn room, Julianne."
I take a deep breath and hang my head and rub my forehead with my hand. I love him so much, and feel so betrayed by him. I know that I can't be around him right now.
"I have somewhere I need to be." I pull the suitcases off the bed and pull up the handles to drag them behind me.
"Where are you going?" he asks again, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Don't worry about it, Nate. Just forget about me." I start to move past him but he steps in front of me, blocking the way to the door.
"I will not forget about you." His eyes are feral, his face taut in pain, and it hurts to look at him. Everything just hurts. I close my eyes and feel a tear escape down my cheek. "Baby, don't cry."
Nate leans down and kisses me softly, and I let him, knowing that this is our last. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me, putting everything into this kiss. I run my hands through his hair, and finally pull away, brushing my fingertips down his face, memorizing everything about him.
"You and I were probably never meant to be," I whisper, staring into his beautiful gray eyes, "but I loved every single second that I spent with you."
I pull out of his arms as he swallows hard and I cup his palm in mine, laying the silver heart he gave me at the beach in his hand. I grab my bags and walk out the door, down the stairs and out to my car.
"Julianne, wait."
"Just lock up when you leave, Nate."
"Goddamn it, wait!"
I push my bags into the backseat of my car and open the driver's side, and suddenly Nate is next to me. "Look at me."
I raise my tear-filled eyes to his and swallow. His gaze lingers over my face, his eyes are sad, and he starts to say something, but stops himself. Finally, he kisses my forehead and whispers, "I love you."
I don't respond as I get behind the wheel and pull away.