Chapter 40 – Alana: A Kiss in Dreamland

⚠️ 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

Alana, Cami, and Cal fly to Dreamland on the Kane family jet. On the flight, Alana and Cal share playful banter about how they have changed over six years. Cal reveals he is no longer afraid of clowns, thanks to Iris, and shows Alana a video of himself shrieking at a haunted maze. Alana learns that Cal keeps a worn photo of them in his wallet, inscribed with Alana’s old motto: “Get drunk on life, not alcohol.” Cal admits the photo reminds him of a time he was truly happy. Alana vows to help him find that happiness again.

At the Dreamland penthouse, Cami is thrilled with the luxury suite. They watch a ferry from the window, and Cal promises to take Cami on it the next day. Cami hugs Cal, and the three collapse into a laughing pile on the floor. Later, Cal dares Alana to kiss him, and she does. Their kiss deepens until Cami catches them and sings a teasing rhyme about love, marriage, and a baby carriage. Cami asks directly if Alana and Cal are getting married and whether she can have a sister. Alana deflects, saying not everyone who likes each other gets married. Cami confirms she likes Cal more than her mother’s ex-boyfriend Victor because Cal listens and makes Alana laugh. After Cami falls asleep, Alana joins Cal in bed and reflects that he makes her want to trust and fall in love again.

Key Events

Alana and Cal discuss personal changes: Alana now likes country music, went vegetarian for a year, and became a morning person; Cal is no longer afraid of clowns.
Cal shows Alana a video of Iris blackmailing him into a clown-themed haunted maze.
Alana discovers Cal has kept a photo of them in his wallet for six years; she reads the motto she wrote on the back.
The group arrives at the Dreamland penthouse, which amazes Cami.
A ferry sighting prompts Cal to promise Cami a ride the next day.
Cal initiates a game of truth or dare, leading to a passionate kiss.
Cami catches them and sings a rhyme about love, marriage, and babies.
Cami asks directly about marriage and a sibling; Alana gives a vague answer.
Cami contrasts Cal with Victor, praising Cal’s kindness and attention.
Alana lies in bed with Cal, realizing he makes her want to trust and love again.

Character Development

Alana: Becomes vulnerable by sharing her changes and admitting her hope for the future. Her protective role as a mother softens as she lets Cal into Cami’s life. She grapples with pessimism but moves toward trusting Cal.
Cal: Opens up about his past unhappiness and his reliance on the old photo as a source of comfort. He actively chooses to be patient with Alana and shows genuine care for Cami. His dare reveals his playful side and his desire to rebuild intimacy.
Cami: Observes the positive impact Cal has on Alana. Her honest questions about marriage and a sibling show she is processing the possibility of a stable family. She explicitly rejects Victor’s treatment in favor of Cal’s respectful attention.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and vulnerability: The photo in Cal’s wallet symbolizes his lasting attachment and his need for a tangible reminder of happiness. Alana’s decision to kiss him after a dare shows her choosing to trust despite fear.
Second chances and change: Both characters list how they’ve changed, reinforcing that they are not the same people who parted six years earlier. The journey to Dreamland represents a new beginning.
Family and unconditional love: Cal’s easy acceptance of Cami (the hug, the ferry promise) and Cami’s contrast between Cal and Victor highlight the theme that real love is kind and patient.
Playfulness as a gateway to intimacy: The truth-or-dare game and Cami’s comic song show how humor and vulnerability lower defenses.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Alana and Cal’s romantic reconciliation. The kiss is the first physical reconnection since their reunion, and the presence of Cami forces them to confront the real stakes of their relationship. Cami’s approval and her explicit comparison of Cal to Victor give Alana permission to hope. The chapter also deepens the reader’s understanding of Cal’s emotional state: he has been holding onto a faded photo as an anchor. Alana’s final reflection—that Cal makes her want to trust and love again—sets up the emotional commitment that will drive the final chapters.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Cal keep a specific photo of Alana in his wallet?
Cal keeps the photo because it reminds him of a time when he was truly happy. The worn edges and faded image reflect how long he has held onto that memory, using it as comfort during bad days. The motto “Get drunk on life, not alcohol” underscores his struggle with addiction and his desire to return to a healthier self.

2. How does Cami’s reaction to Cal differ from her reaction to Victor?
Cami tells Alana that Cal is nicer than Victor because Cal listens, asks questions, and never makes her feel like a bother. This difference validates Alana’s choice to give Cal a second chance and shows that Cami perceives Cal as a positive, attentive figure in their lives.

3. What does Alana realize about herself after Cami falls asleep?
Alana realizes that Cal makes her want to trust him again and fall in love—a feeling she thought she had lost. She acknowledges that he awakens her desire for fun, joy, and dreaming, proving he is unlike past partners who made her feel pessimistic.