Chapter Twenty-Two

The group—Dominic, Rosie, Travis, Georgie, Bethany, Stephen, and Wes—share pizza and boxed wine on the floor of the gutted restaurant after a long day of work. Prompted by Stephen, Rosie reveals a tentative name, Buena Onda, which the group enthusiastically approves. Banter ensues, and one by one the couples depart, leaving Rosie and Dominic alone.

With privacy, Dominic wrestles with whether to tell Rosie about a house matter he has kept from her. He confesses his fear of losing pieces of Rosie to her dream and of her finding happiness independent of him. Therapy has loosened his reserve, and he admits his possessiveness and insecurity.

Rosie reassures Dominic that certain, intimate parts of herself belong only to him. She apologizes for having once said she didn’t love him, declares she never stopped, and they reconnect physically, their passion underscoring renewed trust and commitment.

In the midst of their reunion, Dominic asks Rosie to come home. She confirms she was already planning to, and they leave the restaurant hand in hand, hopeful about their future together and her business.

As they walk out, Dominic recalls the concealed house decision that made the restaurant possible, and a thread of dread returns, hinting at future fallout despite their newfound harmony.