If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 61
Overview
On prom night, Autumn attends with friends, glimpses Finny and Sylvie, and watches them crowned King and Queen. Despite a brief, charged eye contact with Finny, Autumn leans into Jamie, confesses her love, and accepts his promise not to hurt her, affirming her present commitment.
Summary
Parents gather for photos as Autumn’s group prepares for prom at her house. Sasha wears a vintage wedding dress, Angie glows visibly pregnant while Dave dotes, and Brooke pairs sarcastic pink with Noah’s matching tux. Jamie looks sleek and charming, and Autumn plays along with the excitement beneath practiced cynicism.
Rejecting a limo as pretentious, the friends drive themselves and meet others at the hotel. Outside, Sylvie asks about Autumn’s tiara; the boys snicker, and Finny gently pulls Sylvie away. The moment pricks at Autumn, hinting at lingering sensitivities.
Inside the decorated ballroom, they graze at the buffet, joke about the music, and trade slow-dance partners, while Dave refuses to leave Angie’s side. Autumn spots Finny only twice: once while swaying with Jamie, and again when Finny and Sylvie are crowned Prom King and Queen. Autumn claps, their eyes meet briefly, and Finny recedes back into the crowd.
During the final slow song, tired and warm, Autumn leans into Jamie. Feeling clarity, she tells him she loves him. Jamie answers with a vow never to hurt her, and Autumn presses closer, framing the night as one of their best moments—choosing, at least for now, the comfort and certainty Jamie offers over unresolved history with Finny.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; attends prom with friends, notes Finny and Sylvie’s coronation, tells Jamie she loves him, and embraces his promise.
- JamieAutumn’s boyfriend; charming at prom, slow dances with her, promises he will never hurt her.
- FinnyChildhood friend and unresolved love; attends with Sylvie, crowned Prom King, shares a brief, charged glance with Autumn.
- SylvieFinny’s girlfriend; asks about Autumn’s tiara, crowned Prom Queen with Finny.
- AngiePregnant newlywed; radiant at prom, constantly attended by Dave.
- DaveAngie’s husband; affectionate and protective, rarely leaves her side.
- SashaFriend; wears an old wedding dress to prom, rides with Autumn and Alex.
- AlexFriend; attends with Sasha, jokes about food and the prom vibe.
- BrookeFriend; wears sarcastic pink with lace gloves, impatient for photos to end.
- NoahFriend; matches Brooke’s pink, jokes with the group about the food.
- Autumn’s motherTakes photos of the group before prom, cheerfully orchestrating smiles.