Chapter 12 Summary: Reese Meets the Family and Pushes Back
⚠️ 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
On a sunny Sunday in San Diego, Reese decides to watch the game from the dugout instead of hiding in an office. She finds Emmett with his grandson Max, explaining the game. Emmett’s daughter Miller arrives, and Reese feels intrusive, but Emmett invites them to stay. Miller introduces herself to Reese and hints that Emmett talks about Reese often. After Miller and Max head to their seats, Emmett jokingly admits he complains about Reese, and she parries that she lives rent-free in his head. They flirt about where Reese will watch the game.
Reporter Kelly, who previously hit on Emmett at a press conference, interrupts to ask for a postgame interview and suggests dinner. Emmett declines, citing plans with his daughter, but Kelly offers a nightcap at the hotel bar. Reese interrupts with a false excuse about needing to prep. Emmett calls out Reese’s jealousy, and they clarify that they do not want to be friends—implying a deeper romantic tension.
Key Events
- Reese voluntarily goes to the dugout, breaking her habit of staying in an office during games.
- She meets Miller and Max for the first time, seeing Emmett in a familial role.
- Emmett and Reese share a flirty exchange about how much they think about each other.
- Reporter Kelly flirts with Emmett and asks him out; he politely turns her down for dinner but leaves the door open for a nightcap.
- Reese cuts off the conversation with a pretext about game preparation.
- Emmett directly confronts Reese’s jealousy, and both admit they do not want to be friends—implying romantic interest.
Character Development
- Reese: Shows growth by leaving her isolated office routine and engaging with Emmett’s family. Her jealousy over Kelly reveals her growing attachment, though she struggles to admit it even to herself.
- Emmett: Is seen as a devoted grandfather and father, softening Reese’s perception of him. He is perceptive enough to recognize Reese’s jealousy and pushes the boundary between them by clarifying he wants more than friendship.
- Miller: Quickly assesses the dynamic between Reese and Emmett, teasing her father about how often he mentions Reese. She is supportive but also playfully observant.
- Kelly: Acts as an external catalyst, highlighting Reese’s insecurity and the threat of other women pursuing Emmett.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Jealousy as a catalyst: Reese’s reaction to Kelly forces her to acknowledge her feelings and interrupts her professional facade.
- Work vs. personal boundaries: The chapter repeatedly tests the manager–employee line, with Reese using her authority as an excuse to interrupt, while Emmett subverts it by calling her out.
- Family as a softening agent: Emmett’s interaction with Max and Miller makes him more human and vulnerable in Reese’s eyes, shifting her from viewing him as merely a field manager to someone with a full life.
- The dugout as symbolic space: Reese’s choice to be in the dugout—traditionally a player/coach area—represents her stepping out of her corporate role and into Emmett’s world.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 12 marks a turning point in Reese and Emmett’s relationship. Reese actively seeks him out, meets his family, and demonstrates possessiveness over him. Emmett’s refusal to be “friends” sets the stage for a deeper physical or emotional connection. The chapter also introduces Miller as a key character who will likely influence Reese’s journey. The encounter with Kelly raises the stakes by reminding both characters of outside competition and the risks of mixing business with desire.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Reese decide to watch the game from the dugout instead of her usual office?
Reese is motivated by the pleasant weather and, more importantly, by her growing attraction to Emmett. She admits to herself that she is “starting to have a hard time staying away” from him.
2. How does Emmett’s reaction to Kelly’s advances reveal his priorities?
Emmett declines Kelly’s dinner invitation but leaves an opening for a nightcap. This shows he values family time with Miller but is not entirely opposed to socializing. However, his flirty banter with Reese afterward suggests his attention is focused on her.
3. What does the statement “there’s no part of me that wants to be friends with you” signify?
Emmett uses this line to reject a platonic label, implying he wants something more romantic or physical. It directly challenges Reese’s use of the boss–employee boundary as a shield, forcing her to confront her own desires.