Before the party, Hannah tells Allie that she is only going out with Garrett because of a lost bet, hiding the real plan involving Justin. Alone with her thoughts, Hannah tries to dismiss the recent kiss with Garrett as a mistake, but she admits to herself that it affected her deeply. When Garrett arrives, he immediately takes charge of her outfit, pushing her to wear a more revealing red sweater, which embarrasses Hannah in front of Allie but also flatters her because Garrett clearly notices how she looks.

At Beau Maxwell’s crowded off-campus party, Garrett is intensely aware of Hannah’s appearance and of his own lingering desire after their kiss. Hannah feels awkward in the crowd, so Garrett holds her hand and kisses her neck and jaw to help sell the date. In the kitchen, Garrett keeps urging Hannah to drink, and Hannah finally explains that she does not drink at parties because a high school friend was drugged. Garrett is disturbed by the story, stops pressuring her, and becomes more openly protective.

As they circulate, Garrett introduces Hannah around and grows increasingly irritated by the attention other men give her. Beau recognizes Hannah from a campus singing showcase, which helps Hannah relax, but Garrett soon notices Justin Kohl arriving. Garrett deliberately kisses Hannah’s cheek to reinforce the illusion that they are together, yet Justin still approaches Hannah and talks with her. Garrett’s jealousy spikes further when Kendall, a woman Garrett recently stopped seeing, confronts him about bringing Hannah as a date and exposes how shallow their connection really was.

Hannah interrupts Garrett’s argument with Kendall and pulls him away, effectively rescuing him. In the hallway, Hannah tells Garrett that Justin asked her to get coffee and study, which makes Garrett openly angry because he sees Justin as hitting on his date. Hannah then draws a hard line by reminding Garrett that their kiss meant nothing and that they are just friends. Garrett agrees aloud, but privately the evening forces him to confront a new truth: he does want to stay Hannah’s friend, yet he also strongly wants her sexually.