Chapter summaries Not in Love Ali Hazelwood

Chapter 16: His Head Between Another Woman’s Legs – Summary & Analysis

Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed discussion of Chapter 16 of Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood. If you haven’t read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

After their drunken hook‑up, Rue Siebert does not contact Eli for over a week. Eli buries himself in work: a sudden trip to Iowa for Harkness’s agri‑tech client, then covering for Minami when she falls ill. One evening, he and Hark go to a racquetball court and end up playing doubles against two women, Piper and Emily. Eli is polite but distracted; even Piper’s flirting cannot stop him from thinking about Rue. Hark calls Eli out on his “monastic” behaviour and directly asks if Rue is the reason. Eli lies.

Back at the office, Minami drops a promising witness deposition on Eli’s desk – the legal case against the acquirer is moving forward. That Friday, Eli attends a charity fundraiser at the Lenchantin Rink, where his former coach Dave Lenchantin greets him warmly. They talk about Eli’s sister Maya, who learned to figure skate at the rink. Dave then calls out “Rue” – and Eli realises Rue Siebert is a skater there. Their eyes meet, and Dave tries to introduce them, unaware of their history.

Key Events

  • Eli returns from Iowa to find a note and potpie from his sister Maya.
  • Minami and Sul return to work with a newlywed energy; Hark grows irritated.
  • Eli and Hark play doubles racquetball against Piper and Emily.
  • Eli acknowledges to himself that he is not interested in Piper because he is still hung up on Rue.
  • Hark confronts Eli about Rue; Eli denies it.
  • Minami gives Eli the final witness deposition, which strengthens their case.
  • Eli attends the Lenchantin Rink fundraiser and reconnects with Coach Dave.
  • Dave reveals that Rue trains there and calls her over.
  • Rue and Eli lock eyes across the room, both frozen in surprise.

Character Development

Eli Killgore begins to accept his deeper feelings for Rue, even as he tries to distract himself with work and other women. His refusal to pursue Piper marks a shift from his usual casual flings. His backstory with hockey and his gratitude toward Dave highlight a vulnerable, loyal side beneath his confident exterior. The chapter also shows his protective role as Maya’s caretaker.

Hark demonstrates his perceptiveness by calling Eli out on his behaviour. His own restraint (not using Emily’s number) hints at his loyalty to Minami and his moral compass.

Minami is playful but focused on the legal battle; she is the team’s emotional barometer and a reliable friend to Eli.

Rue Siebert is physically absent for most of the chapter, yet her shadow looms large over Eli’s thoughts. Her reappearance at the rink establishes her as more than just a one‑night stand – she has a past as a figure skater, connected to Eli’s own history.

Dave Lenchantin serves as a father figure who shaped Eli’s adolescence and continues to support his family. His role strengthens the theme of found family.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Hockey as a grounding force – The rink and Dave represent a stable, positive influence in Eli’s chaotic life. Hockey gave him discipline when his parents failed him, and it now provides a place where Rue belongs.

The “reset” that fails – Eli tries to use Piper as a “hard reset” to purge Rue from his mind, but the strategy backfires. The motif of being unable to forget someone underscores the depth of his attachment.

Legal progress as a narrative engine – The witness deposition symbolises forward momentum in the corporate plot, paralleling Eli’s stalled personal arc. The case’s advancement contrasts with his romantic stagnation.

Competition and doubles – The racquetball game mirrors Eli’s internal conflict: he is paired with a woman he could want, but his thoughts remain on the “other team” – Rue.

Rewriting the title – The chapter title refers literally to Eli’s fantasy of having his head between Rue’s legs, even as he stands with another woman. It emphasises his obsession and the impossibility of moving on.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 16 deepens Eli’s emotional investment in Rue and reveals crucial backstory. Readers learn about his hockey career, his relationship with Maya, and his gratitude toward Dave. The legal subplot gains momentum with the deposition, raising the stakes of the corporate conflict. Most importantly, the chapter ends on a cliffhanger: Rue and Eli are about to be formally introduced, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation. Eli’s inability to let go of Rue cements her as the central romantic interest and signals that his casual lifestyle is ending.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Eli decide not to pursue Piper, even though he knows she is interested?
    Eli realises that while talking to Piper, all he can think about is Rue. He understands that no other woman can “reset” his feelings; Rue has fundamentally disrupted his usual patterns of casual involvement.

  2. What does the witness deposition signify for Eli and the Harkness team?
    The deposition gives them solid evidence of wrongdoing by the company they are suing, allowing them to request further discovery. It moves their legal case forward and offers hope that they can protect the startups they invested in.

  3. How does the hockey rink fundraiser connect Eli’s past to the present story?
    The fundraiser brings together Eli’s formative years (coach Dave, sister Maya’s skating) and his current dilemma (Rue’s presence at the rink). It reveals that Rue was a student athlete, tying her to the same supportive community that saved Eli, and forces an unexpected reunion.

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