If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 78
Overview
While watching a movie, Sylvie calls Finny, reminding Autumn and Finny of their unfinished entanglements. Finny admits Sylvie isn’t who he wants, and Autumn confirms she isn’t in love with Jamie. Despite a charged moment, they avoid a direct confession and plan a late-night outing, shadowed by Sylvie’s return.
Summary
Autumn and Finny watch a movie on her couch when Finny answers a call from Sylvie. The familiar way he speaks signals who it is, pulling both back to the reality beyond their cocoon. After he hangs up, Finny insists he can’t break up with Sylvie over the phone.
Autumn presses for why he plans to break up. Finny finally says Sylvie isn’t who he wants to be with, offering no further detail. The admission hangs between them, acknowledged but unexplored.
Finny then asks if Autumn misses Jamie. Autumn admits she still cares about Jamie but is not in love with him. Saying it aloud makes Autumn unexpectedly happy, and Finny is quietly pleased for her.
They share a long, charged look that could have become a confession, but both hold back. Autumn breaks the tension by suggesting they finish the movie and get late-night food, a ritual that gives them time together without naming their feelings. Finny agrees, though the plan is complicated by Sylvie likely being home soon, underscoring the unresolved triangle.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; watches a movie with Finny, prompts him about Sylvie, admits she isn’t in love with Jamie, avoids a full confession.
- FinnyTakes a call from Sylvie; says he can’t break up by phone; admits Sylvie isn’t who he wants; shares a charged moment with Autumn.
- SylvieCalls Finny during the movie; her presence pressures the situation and delays an honest conversation.