Chapter 13

Nora endures a painful MOM-app date with Blake at karaoke night, fielding his relentless questions about cooking while internally counting the minutes. When Charlie Lastra walks in and locks eyes with Nora, their mutual surprise sparks sharp banter that undercuts Nora’s attempt to tolerate the evening.

Hoping to escape, Nora checks texts: Dusty has called twice and apologized for the late hour, and Libby announces she’s headed home with a winking sign-off. Cornered by Blake’s line of questioning, Nora approaches the bar, where she and Charlie volley jokes about her date, her “list,” and why they didn’t pursue their attraction.

When Nora asks for an exit that avoids Blake, Charlie takes her hand and guides her through the crowded bar into the kitchen. There, they face Amaya, a bartender with history with Charlie. Amaya hesitates, clearly affected, but ultimately lets them pass, highlighting unresolved tension and Charlie’s discomfort.

Outside in the alley, Nora teases Charlie about Amaya still being hung up; he denies it, insisting their ending left no room for lingering feelings. They walk past Giacomo’s, a beloved local Italian spot open only on weekends, and their sparring softens into easier conversation.

As they pause, Charlie asks if Nora is hungry and invites her to dinner “as colleagues,” explicitly sidestepping their checklists and earlier missteps. The chapter closes with the two poised to share a meal that reframes their dynamic from adversarial flirtation toward tentative camaraderie with undeniable chemistry.