Lily waits anxiously for Atlas after their phone call, unsure whether his offer of a hug means only comfort or something more. Lily brushes her teeth, changes clothes, and worries about being out of practice with dating before returning to pajamas so Lily does not look as if Lily is trying too hard.

When Atlas arrives, Atlas immediately pulls Lily into a tight hug in the doorway. The hug is comforting and serious, and Lily senses that something difficult has happened to Atlas, though Atlas does not explain. Atlas says Atlas will be staying at the restaurant rather than going home and promises to tell Lily more the next day.

Lily respects Atlas’s unwillingness to discuss the problem because Lily also does not want to talk more about Ryle. Wanting to help Atlas somehow, Lily offers Atlas another of Lily’s old journals to read. Atlas accepts, and Lily jokes that this one is more graphic.

Before leaving, Atlas pulls Lily close, gives Lily a quick, soft kiss, and then kisses the spot near Lily’s collarbone where Lily’s hidden tattoo is. After Atlas leaves, Lily feels the excitement of a crush alongside fear and hesitation. Lily recognizes that Ryle and Lily’s father damaged Lily’s ability to trust men, but Lily also feels Atlas may help restore what they took from Lily.

Lily’s happiness is immediately complicated by dread because Lily knows a relationship with Atlas will anger Ryle. The chapter ends with Lily increasingly aware that the joy Atlas brings will force Lily to confront Ryle with the truth.