After leaving Bristol House angry and hurt, Garrett heads for the parking lot and tries to convince himself that Hannah means no more to him than his past casual hookups. Even after Briar’s big win over Harvard, he cannot shake his frustration, and he realizes he had nearly humiliated himself by saying too much or even begging Hannah to choose him.

Before Garrett reaches his Jeep, Hannah runs after him into the cold wearing only pajamas and a T-shirt. Garrett is still upset, but his concern overrides it, and he gives Hannah his jacket when he sees her shivering. Hannah confronts Garrett for storming off and argues that he blindsided her by demanding an answer about a relationship without giving her time to think. Garrett initially resists, but he recognizes that Hannah is right and admits he came to her already decided about what he wanted.

Hannah apologizes for not telling Garrett about Justin asking her out, but she refuses to apologize for needing time to process the idea of becoming Garrett’s girlfriend. Garrett apologizes for running off, then makes clear that he is not sorry for wanting to be with Hannah. When Hannah asks whether he still wants a relationship, Garrett says yes, and she carefully sets conditions: they must be exclusive, but they also need to take things slowly because both of their schedules will soon become crowded.

Garrett immediately agrees to exclusivity and accepts a more realistic pace for the relationship. Hannah then tells him she is willing to make things official. Garrett’s last anxiety centers on Justin, but Hannah reveals that she already canceled the date before coming outside. When Hannah tells Garrett that she is only interested in him and jokingly calls him her boyfriend instead of her fluffer, the tension between them breaks. The chapter ends with Garrett overwhelmed by happiness now that their relationship is finally official.