Twisted Hate

Jules finishes her bar exam despite her injuries. Josh appears as she leaves the exam room, treating her with more warmth than at the ER. She tries not to notice the regret in his eyes, “refused to get [her] hopes up only for him to crush them again” (438). Josh tells Jules that he dealt with Max, apologizes for hurting her, and professes his love. Jules can’t forgive him for weaponizing her insecurities, but he refuses to let her go. She asks for time and space to think, and he accepts her request.

Jules stresses over Josh, distracting herself with work. He visits her at LHAC despite promising her space. She is frustrated with and confused by her inability to forgive him. Asher Donovan, the famous soccer player from Bridget’s wedding, calls Jules and invites her out for drinks. She agrees under the heat of Josh’s gaze. At the bar, she is too distracted by thoughts of Josh to converse with Asher. Asher mentions he never wanted to become famous, that “for the longest time, [he] held [himself] back because [he] was afraid [he] didn’t deserve it” (452). Jules realizes she’s holding back from love because she believes she doesn’t deserve it.