It wasn’t too hard to notice just the kinda impact his presence was having on Jules. He supposed it was all his fault. Moving to the place she grew up in, being around her in ways she probably much rather have avoided. “Would you believe me if I said I’ve been trying to cut down on some of my drinking?” A sad smile lingered on his handsome features, his gaze never once landing on the woman his heart once belonged to. Instead focusing on the many bottles of hard liquor sitting quietly behind the marble top counter. It was a feeble attempt at trying to make her smile. At attempting small talk— to keep things light and casual, knowing better. “Just a few more of these sips and I’ll be outta your hair.”
one thing jules was sure of was that her body language was definitely screaming uncomfortable right now, but she couldn’t help it. being in the same room as her ex-husband already made her want to punch a wall, let alone sit next to him at a bar. still, she couldn’t help but lift her brows at his comment. “cutting down your drinking? you?” she scoffed, shaking her head slightly. “i’ll believe it when i see it.” another sip of her drink followed, and she shrugged. “i can’t make you leave. wish i could, but it’s a public space.”
Oh, fuck me. The words rang loudly in his ears as soon as he heard them being uttered from only a few inches away from him. He’d recognize that voice literally fucking anywhere. Jules’ inevitable reaction to his presence at the bar — the very same bar — while definitely far from where he had intended to be, something he supposed he deserved, after all the shit he had put her through. After all the shit he was still putting her through by just looking at her, the expression etched on his face one laced with conflict. It was a draining situation to be caught up in. Still, Asher was trying. He would never stop trying. He at least owed their little girls that much. Jesus, this really was a small fucking town. “I come in peace,” the writer announced, his fingers firmly wrapped around the old-fashioned once it was offered to him. This was both of their hometown now. Might as well try and act civil while they were out in public.
“i’m sure you do.” the words tasted bitter in her mouth, but that’s probably because that was exactly what she was — bitter. every time she saw the man, she was reminded of what happened and what could’ve been. it hurt her heart and her head at the same time. sure, she couldn’t say he wasn’t trying for the girls, but there was something in her that didn’t want him to try. it was a selfish thought, of course, as her daughters deserved a father figure in their lives — she just wished she didn’t have to interact with him for that to happen. was she going to have him ruin her night off though? not really. set aside the anger for a moment, jules. she let out a sigh and took a sip of her drink before speaking. “i guess when this is the only bar in town i shouldn’t be surprised.”
“and if i don’t?” veronica took a step, raising a brow as she lets her curiosity annoy her. “you are so sweet. this is why you’re loved dearly by everyone.”
“i guess you’ll find out.” jules didn’t feel like humoring the woman any longer. she could feel her anger boiling inside of her, and she had to pick up her kids from school. if she walked away now, she would have some time to calm down before they got out. “now if you’ll excuse me, this conversation is beneath me. hopefully i won’t see you around.” and that was that, she pushed past the other woman, walking away. not today, satan.
the way the older woman reacted almost ruined her mood– somehow, it just amused her on how angry she looked. “that’s the plan, sweets.” she giggled to push her to her limits even more, which had always been veronica’s specialty. “thanks for the help, jules. i honestly wouldn’t know what to do without you.”
the woman had to take a deep breath, or else she definitely would have lashed out at the other in front of her. instead, after taking her deep breath, jules plastered on a forced smile and nodded curtly. “anytime, sweetie. just one last thing; stay the hell away from me and my kids. got it? we don’t need any more of you and your messy drama in our lives.”
“it’s been two weeks since i have been eagerly looking for a good cafe that serves good coffee. you know that kind were you’re having fun with it, and the next thing you know is that your heart is beating so fast? yeah, sweetie. that’s the one.” the dark-haired girl spoke, letting herself sound like she was dreaming. she’s good at it, anyway– considering the fact that she’s actually an actress. “so… do you happen to know where i could get that?” @shstarters
“yeah. little place 3 towns over makes the best coffee. maybe you can stay there, while you’re at it. you’re not welcome here.” jules’ eyes narrowed as she spoke, nearly spitting out every word she said to the other woman. “now please kindly move, so i can go on with my day and erase you from my memory.”
it had been a busy day at the pizza place, but that didn’t make jules any less excited - it was her night off, after all. her mom said they’d watch the girls, and jules, wasn’t it time to get back out there? yes. those were her moms actual words. even her own mother knew it was time for her to get some. in a small town like springhill, the choices were limited, but around 9 jules found herself seated on a barstool at cloak and stagger. did she pull out the red lipstick for tonight? yes, in fact, she did. and she wasn’t ashamed of it. you gotta do what you gotta do, right? ordering a martini (straight up, no garnish, just how she liked it), she let out a sigh and relaxed. only for a moment, she felt blissful - no stress about kids, the restaurant, nothing - until she heard someone order a scotch right next to her. scanning the person from the corner of her eye, she breathed out loudly and whispered to herself. “oh, fuck me.”
is that [EMILY BLUNT]? no, that’s just [JULIA 'JULES' THOMAS]. [SHE] is [THIRTY FOUR] years old and is an [OWNER AT BEYOND THE CRUST]. rumor has it they’ve been in town for [A YEAR AND A HALF]. on a good day, they’re [STRAIGHTFORWARD & CARING]. but watch out! they can also be [SARCASTIC & DOGMATIC]. [HURT ME ONCE BY BEN PLATT] plays in my head whenever i think of them. can’t wait to see them around springhill!
hi!! as you can see i have no self control!! LSDJF anyway like this for plots or send me a message!!
okay so let there be one thing very clear: there is nothing jules wouldn’t do for her kids. they’re her everything.
she’s asher’s ex-wife and ever since he came back to town, jules has been feeling a little weird; she thought she was getting a clean slate, a new start in her home town, but there he was again. wanting to spend time with his girls. first of all; they’re her girls. period. second of all; no.
as you can tell, she’s a feisty one. jules will always stand up for what she believes in and what she thinks is right, even though it may not always be right. but hey, at least she holds on to her ideals, right?
the woman always thought it was gonna be one and done, and honestly, she really thought she’d found that with asher. but, the longer they were married, the more toxic the relationship got. jules thought maybe the kids would help them grow closer again, but alas; it didn’t happen. she had a lot of love in her heart for the man she once knew, but she was also too proud to go on like this. jules was basically raising the girls by herself at the end of their marriage, so she figured she’s just keep doing that after the divorce. she won the custody battle, so, there you go. wham bam.
is there still a little love in her heart for the man she was once married to? sure. but that love is buried by a lot of irritation and distrust.
jules’ family has always owned beyond the crust, and since coming back to town, she’s taken over from her dad. she figured he could enjoy his well-deserved retirement (and play babysitter at the same time), and she needed a job anyway. sure, pizzas are supposed to be in her blood, but it’s not what she’s passionate about. so, to not succumb under tomato sauce and mozzarella, jules picks up some photography jobs every now and then as well. nothing too big, just some freelancing stuff.
when the kids are with their grandparents for a night, jules likes to enjoy a drink or two at the local bar. she might be mom, but she loves herself a good glass of wine every now and then, alright?
