Chapter 10: We Settle This. Once and for All.

Spoiler Notice

This summary contains major plot details from Chapter 10 of Not in Love. Read on only if you want to know what happens.

Summary

Rue accompanies Florence to a formal retirement party for Eric Sommers, a Kline board member. Rue enjoys dressing up but dreads the social event. At the party, Sommers introduces them to Conor Harkness, and Rue is stunned to see Eli Killgore with him. Eli smoothly deflects Sommers’s golf invitation while Rue and Florence exchange tense energy. Florence is pulled away, leaving Rue alone with Eli. They engage in strained small talk, then Eli shares a vulnerable story about pawning his mother’s silver ring to pay for his sister’s trip, losing the heirloom. Rue reciprocates by confessing that as a child she stole money from a friend’s home. The moment deepens their connection. They dance slowly, and Eli guides her outside to a balcony. There they discuss their impossible attraction, the takeover, and the ethical dilemma of wanting each other despite being on opposite sides. Eli admits he once almost married someone. Rue asks to try something, and they share an intense, open-mouthed kiss, with Eli touching her intimately. He stops abruptly, saying "Not here." He proposes they meet at his hotel the next evening to "settle this once and for all." Rue is left alone on the balcony, shaken and aroused.

Key Events

Rue and Florence attend Eric Sommers's retirement party.
Conor Harkness and Eli Killgore arrive, surprising Rue.
Eli quickly builds rapport with Sommers, displaying his charm.
Florence is separated from Rue, leaving Rue alone with Eli.
Eli reveals he pawned his mother’s heirloom ring and lost it.
Rue admits she stole money from a friend's house as a child.
They share a slow dance, then move to a quiet balcony.
Eli voices his fear of the pull between them and his past near-marriage.
Rue initiates physical contact; they kiss passionately.
Eli stops, tells her not there, and invites her to his hotel the next day.
Rue is left breathless and unsettled.

Character Development

Rue Siebert: Previously guarded about her social awkwardness, Rue shows a new willingness to be vulnerable by confessing her childhood theft. She also acts on her desire, initiating touch and reciprocating Eli's kiss, moving beyond the purely transactional encounters she usually seeks.
Eli Killgore: Reveals a painful, shameful past (losing the ring) that humanizes him beyond the slick businessman facade. His restraint in stopping the kiss demonstrates a concern for Rue's consent and the context, not just his own gratification.
Florence Kline: Though mostly offstage, her protective text and whispered distrust of Harkness underline the deepening conflict.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Masks and Vulnerability: Both Rue and Eli lower their defenses, confessing morally ambiguous acts. The party's formal attire symbolizes the social masks they wear; the balcony becomes a space of honesty.
Forbidden Attraction vs. Loyalty: The romance is pitted against Rue's loyalty to Florence and Eli's role in the takeover. The pull is described as a force neither can resist, yet they try.
Power Dynamics: The golf game and Harkness’s network reinforce the old-boys-club power that both Rue and Eli (despite his current role) seem to critique.
The Jester God of Hookups: Their shared joke about a deity throwing them together underscores the irrational, chaotic nature of their desire.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 10 marks a decisive turning point in Rue and Eli’s relationship. They move from cautious adversaries to openly acknowledging their attraction and sharing intimate vulnerabilities. The balcony scene creates a private sanctuary amid the hostile social environment, allowing their connection to deepen. Eli’s invitation to "settle this once and for all" raises the stakes: will Rue choose loyalty to Florence or pursue a consuming desire? The chapter forces Rue to confront her own patterns of avoiding emotional intimacy.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Eli tell Rue about pawning his mother’s ring?
Eli shares this story to prove he is not like the other powerful men (Sommers) and to show he has made mistakes out of love. It is an appeal to vulnerability, hoping Rue will see his humanity and trust him despite the takeover.
What does Rue’s confession about stealing money reveal about her character?
Rue’s theft shows she is capable of morally gray actions, but her shame and the fact that she confesses it to Eli indicate she wants to be honest about her flaws. It also mirrors Eli’s confession, leveling the power balance between them.
Why does Eli stop the kiss on the balcony?
Eli stops because he recognizes the location (Sommers’s party) is inappropriate and lacks the privacy and consent he values. He wants their first complete sexual encounter to be intentional, not impulsive—demonstrating a respect for Rue that contrasts with the transactional nature of her past hookups.