Chapter 33: Definitely a Date – 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
Evie invites X to Wilshire Billiards for what she calls their first official hangout/date. X pretends to be a poor pool player, allowing Evie to teach him, until he reveals he is actually skilled and wins the first game. They play six games in total, tying at three wins each. Over burgers, Evie confesses her cynicism about relationships, stemming from her father's infidelity and upcoming remarriage, and her fear that Sophie and Cassidy's romance will end their friendship. X responds with understanding, saying he likes the new, more cynical Evie. They return to play a final tiebreaker; Evie runs the table and sinks the eight ball with her eyes closed. X then hugs her and asks if they can call it a date. Evie agrees, confirming they will take things slow.
Key Events
- Evie chooses the pool hall where she used to play with her father.
- Julio, the manager, greets Evie and warns X about her pool skills.
- X deliberately plays badly so Evie will teach him; then he reveals his true ability and wins the first game.
- Evie and X play six games, tying 3–3.
- During a burger break, Evie shares her disappointment in her father and her growing disbelief in lasting love.
- X listens without judgment, expressing that he likes Evie the way she is now.
- Evie wins the final game by sinking the eight ball with her eyes closed.
- X asks to call the outing a date, and Evie agrees, setting a slow pace.
Character Development
Evie reveals the depth of her cynicism, directly connecting her father’s betrayal to her distrust of relationships. She admits she no longer believes in dating, even as she is on one with X. Her willingness to be vulnerable shows growth—she is letting X see the parts of herself she keeps hidden. The pool game also highlights her pride and competitiveness, balanced by her joy when X proves to be a worthy opponent.
X demonstrates patience, empathy, and insight. He does not dismiss Evie’s feelings; instead he validates them, saying her reasons for being cynical are good. His playful deception at pool (pretending to be a novice) reveals a romantic, old-fashioned side—he wanted her to teach him. By the end, he asks for clarity about their relationship, showing he respects her need to go slow.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust vs. Cynicism: The entire chapter pivots on Evie’s confession that she no longer believes in dating. Pool becomes a metaphor for the risk of trust—each shot requires faith that the cue ball will hit its target. X’s calm acceptance of her doubt offers a counterpoint: trust can be rebuilt slowly.
Role Reversal and Subverted Tropes: Evie is the pool shark, reversing the typical rom‑com scene where the man teaches the woman. She consciously notes this reversal, enjoying the power shift. X’s later reveal that he faked ineptitude to get close to her further complicates gender expectations—he uses the trope but for a sincere purpose.
The Weight of Family Betrayal: Evie’s memories of her father at the pool hall make the loss of her idealized image of him tangible. The three texts her father sends (Taco Night photos) are reminders of a happiness that now feels tainted. This motif of lost innocence parallels Evie’s fear that all love eventually fails.
Slow Dance as Relationship Rhythm: The phrase “go slow” echoes the book’s title and the idea of learning the steps of a new dance. X and Evie agree on a deliberate pace, contrasting with her parents’ sudden breakup.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 33 marks the formal beginning of Evie and X’s romantic relationship. More importantly, it is the first time Evie fully voices her cynicism to someone else—and receives acceptance rather than correction. X’s response models the kind of love that does not require her to be cheerful or trusting on command. The chapter also deepens the conflict between Evie’s past (her father’s betrayal) and her future (choosing to risk dating again). By sinking the eight ball with her eyes closed, Evie performs an act of metaphorical faith, signaling that she is willing to try, even if she cannot see the outcome.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does X pretend not to know how to play pool?
X pretends to be a novice because he wants Evie to teach him, giving him an excuse to be close to her. He later winks and admits it, suggesting he also wanted to tease her about her criticism of his hometown.
2. How does Evie explain her cynicism about dating to X?
Evie says her parents used to be happy, but her father cheated and is now remarrying, making her feel that nothing lasts. She also worries that Sophie and Cassidy’s romance will end their friendship, reinforcing her belief that love inevitably leads to loss.
3. What does Evie’s decision to sink the eight ball with her eyes closed symbolize?
Sinking the shot with her eyes closed represents a leap of faith. She is still unsure about love, but she is willing to take a risk—just as she risks going on a date with X despite her doubts. The gesture shows she can choose hope even when she cannot see the outcome.