Chapter Nine Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens at Astrid's engagement party, where Claire is still holding Delilah's arm. Claire finally releases it, spilling champagne, and wonders why she hesitated. Iris arrives with Grant, complaining about the wealthy crowd and mentioning the upcoming spa trip—she assumes it will be just the three of them: Claire, Iris, and Astrid. Claire corrects her, insisting Delilah is also going. Iris teases Claire about being attracted to Delilah, but Claire denies it, pointing out she wore her vintage wiggle dress for herself.
During dinner, Spencer announces plans to move to Seattle and jokes about having three boys, which visibly upsets Claire and Iris. Astrid looks miserable and mouths an apology. Claire and Iris whisper about how Astrid hates Seattle and how they can't let her marry Spencer. Claire suggests they need to stop the wedding, and Iris is taken aback but eventually agrees they need to talk to Astrid.
After dinner, the group moves to the dock. Spencer sends Astrid to get bug spray and taps her rear, which Claire and Iris notice. They confront Astrid, who says the Seattle move is only being discussed, not definite. Astrid leaves to get the spray. Delilah suddenly hands Claire her phone and camera, then saunters toward Spencer. She appears to trip and stumbles into him, sending both of them into the river. Spencer is furious and storms off to change. Astrid is annoyed, and Delilah asks for sweats. Claire suspects the fall was deliberate, especially since Delilah had given her belongings to Claire beforehand. As Delilah walks away, Claire thinks she winks at her.
Key Events
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Claire releases Delilah's arm and feels a mix of confusion and attraction.
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Iris assumes the spa trip is just the three friends; Claire insists Delilah is included.
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Iris teases Claire about liking Delilah; Claire deflects.
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Spencer announces a potential move to Seattle and jokes about having three boys.
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Claire and Iris confront Astrid about the Seattle plan; Astrid downplays it.
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Spencer sends Astrid for bug spray and taps her rear, showing his controlling behavior.
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Delilah hands Claire her phone and camera, then deliberately (or seemingly) trips into Spencer, causing both to fall into the river.
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Spencer storms off; Astrid is upset; Delilah asks for sweats.
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Claire suspects the fall was orchestrated and thinks Delilah winks at her.
Character Development
Claire shows growing vulnerability and curiosity about Delilah. She is conflicted about her attraction, denying it to Iris while being drawn to Delilah's boldness. Claire also becomes more protective of Astrid, realizing Spencer's control and the possibility of losing her friend to Seattle. Her suspicion of Delilah's stunt reveals a sharper, more intuitive side.
Delilah continues to be an enigma. She appears uncomfortable at the party, but her deliberate handoff of her phone and camera suggests she is planning something. Her fall into the river seems calculated, and her wink at Claire hints at a shared secret or a playful challenge. Delilah's actions show she is willing to disrupt Spencer's evening, possibly to protect Astrid or to amuse herself.
Astrid is caught between her friends and her fiancé. She tries to smooth over Spencer's announcement, but her misery is evident. Her compartmentalization—keeping her friends and Spencer separate—becomes clearer, and she seems trapped by her need to please both.
Iris remains fiercely loyal to Claire and Astrid, but her bluntness about Delilah reveals her protective nature. She is quick to joke about murdering Spencer, showing her willingness to go to extremes for her friends.
Spencer is portrayed as controlling and dismissive, tapping Astrid's rear and making unilateral decisions about their future. His reaction to falling in the river—storming off—underscores his lack of grace.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Romantic attraction: Claire's physical and emotional pull toward Delilah is evident, though she tries to suppress it.
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Controlling relationships: Spencer's behavior—tapping Astrid's rear, announcing the Seattle move without consulting her—highlights his dominance.
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Friendship loyalty: Claire and Iris rally around Astrid, determined to protect her from a bad marriage.
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Sabotage: Delilah's staged fall into the river is a clear act of sabotage, likely aimed at disrupting Spencer's evening or exposing his fragility.
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Secrets and deception: Astrid hides the Seattle plan from her friends; Delilah hides her true intentions.
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Compartmentalization: Astrid keeps her friends and fiancé in separate boxes, a strategy that is starting to crack.
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Wealth and superficiality: The party's opulence and the guests' shallow reactions to Spencer's announcement critique the wealthy social circle.
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Self-expression: Claire's choice of the vintage wiggle dress is an act of self-definition, even as she denies its sexual intent.
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Trust: Claire's suspicion of Delilah's wink suggests a budding, unspoken trust or alliance.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal because it escalates the central conflict: Claire and Iris now actively consider stopping Astrid's wedding, and Delilah's actions align with that goal, even if her motives are unclear. The river incident is a turning point—it reveals Delilah's willingness to interfere and gives Claire a reason to suspect a deeper connection between them. The chapter also deepens the theme of control, showing how Spencer's behavior and Astrid's compliance create a toxic dynamic that Claire and Iris feel compelled to challenge.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Claire insist that Delilah is going to the spa trip, and what does this reveal about her feelings?
Claire corrects Iris when she says the trip is just the three of them, insisting Delilah is included. This shows Claire is already thinking of Delilah as part of their circle, despite Iris's skepticism. It also hints at Claire's growing attraction and her desire to include Delilah, even if she won't admit it to herself or others.
2. What does Delilah's decision to hand Claire her phone and camera before approaching Spencer suggest about her intentions?
By giving Claire her belongings, Delilah ensures they are safe before she stages her fall. This suggests the fall is deliberate—she doesn't want to damage her equipment. It also implies she trusts Claire to hold them, creating a subtle bond between them. The wink afterward reinforces that Delilah is aware Claire suspects her, and she seems to enjoy the shared secret.
3. How does Spencer's announcement about Seattle affect Claire and Iris's view of him?
The announcement confirms their worst fears: Spencer is making major life decisions without Astrid's input, and he is taking her to a city she hates. This solidifies their belief that he is controlling and self-centered, prompting Claire to declare they can't let Astrid marry him. It transforms their vague concerns into a concrete plan to intervene.