Chapter 2

Allie, determined not to call Sean despite his manipulative texts, settles in at Garrett’s house with Dean. Dean bluntly excuses himself to relieve his arousal, returns half-dressed, and bickers with Allie over movie choices. He keeps pushing sexual banter while Allie insists on a serious, non-violent film.

Dean takes Allie to the backyard to smoke. Relaxed by the weed, Allie admits her long on-off history with Sean: early casual doubts, then his controlling phase, and, most recently, constant fights over her post-graduation plan to pursue acting versus Sean’s expectation she become a homemaker in Vermont.

Worried she’ll cave, Allie hands Dean her phone with strict rules to block contact with Sean, allowing only specific calls. Dean accepts, joking about being her “relationship sponsor,” and keeps incoming messages from her. He also argues that a rebound would help, volunteering himself; Allie firmly declines.

Back inside, Dean sits close and continues flirting; Allie maintains boundaries. A friend, Maxwell, calls inviting Dean to a party, but he refuses since Allie won’t go. They try to endure the painfully slow movie until Dean declares it unbearable.

Concluding that weed isn’t enough, Dean fetches tequila. The night shifts from awkward temptation to a boozy détente, with Dean and Allie settling into a teasing, wary dynamic while he guards her from texting Sean.