Not in Love Chapter 17: Her Existence, Apparently, Did a Lot for Him
Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains details from Chapter 17 of Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood. If you haven't read the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
At a hockey fundraising event, Rue Siebert approaches Eli as Dave introduces them. They pretend not to know each other, but the tension between them is immediate and intense. Eli observes Rue’s movements and recalls their previous encounters. They chat about figure skating: Rue was trained by Alec Killgore and stopped during college partly because of her height. Rue shares that Alec would bring her food when she was a hungry teenager. Eli reveals he can cook three dishes, taught by his ex-fiancée McKenzie. When Rue tries to kiss him, Eli turns away, then stops her from leaving. He invites her to his apartment to retrieve her underwear (a keepsake from their hotel night) and sets a condition: she must not run out again but communicate if she wants to leave. Rue agrees to come find him later. Eli is certain she will show up.
Key Events
- Dave introduces Rue to Eli at a hockey event; they pretend to meet for the first time.
- Eli and Rue exchange charged looks and small talk about figure skating and Alec.
- Rue reveals that Alec brought her snacks when she was a hungry teen skater.
- Eli mentions he can cook three dishes, taught by his ex-fiancée McKenzie.
- Rue attempts to kiss Eli; he turns his head away, rejecting the kiss.
- Eli stops Rue from leaving and invites her to his apartment to get her underwear back.
- Eli sets a condition: Rue must not run away but tell him if she wants to leave.
- Rue agrees to find Eli after the event, and Eli feels confident she will come.
Character Development
Eli: This chapter is from Eli’s point of view, revealing his deep preoccupation with Rue. He admits that her existence “does a lot for him” and describes feeling alive when she appears. He is physically aroused and emotionally vulnerable, wanting to know everything about her. He shows restraint by turning away from her kiss, choosing to set boundaries and ask for honest communication rather than repeating their runaway encounter. His offer to cook and his mention of McKenzie show he is capable of care and is not merely seeking a hookup.
Rue: Rue shows vulnerability by sharing a personal memory about Alec feeding her. She is usually guarded, but she lets slip that she was hungry as a teen, which aligns with her research on food preservation. Her attempt to kiss Eli reveals her own desire and willingness to bridge the gap, but she is also confused by his rejection. When Eli sets the condition, she agrees calmly, showing she is willing to meet his terms but also retains her agency (“I’m going to leave when I want to leave”).
Dave: Acts as a social facilitator, introducing the two and then leaving them alone. His presence is minor but functional.
Alec Killgore: Though not present, his role as a mentor to both Rue and Eli’s sister is highlighted. He provided food for Rue, indicating his kindness and the trust Rue and Eli share in his character.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Pretense: Rue and Eli deliberately “fake it” when introduced, pretending not to know each other. This masks their intense connection and adds a layer of secrecy to their relationship.
Vulnerability through Food: Rue’s admission that Alec brought her food when she was hungry reveals a past of scarcity or neglect. Eli’s offer to cook three dishes—taught by a chef—becomes an offering of care. Food is a symbol of nurturing and trust.
Control and Communication: Eli’s condition—that Rue not run out but communicate—shifts their dynamic from purely physical to one requiring honesty. He acknowledges that the previous encounter “scared the shit out of me.” This request for communication is a mature step forward.
Underwear as Keepsake: Eli kept Rue’s underwear from the hotel, using it as a pretext to invite her over. The item symbolizes his desire to hold onto her presence and to have a reason for their next meeting.
Power Dynamics: Eli’s crude comment about the underwear (“They definitely worked when I used them”) asserts dominance, but his condition and emotional openness balance the power. Rue retains her autonomy by stating she will leave when she wants.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is a turning point in Eli and Rue’s relationship. For the first time, Eli’s inner turmoil is fully exposed to the reader: he recognizes that Rue is “utterly unique” and that he cannot “fuck her out of his system.” By setting the condition, he moves from pure physical pursuit to a desire for emotional connection and respect. The chapter also deepens Rue’s backstory through the hunger memory, linking her academic work to her past. The promise of a future meeting raises suspense: will she actually come, and what will happen when she does?
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Eli turn away when Rue tries to kiss him in the storage room? Eli turns away because he wants to avoid repeating the same intense, runaway encounter. He needs Rue to commit to not disappearing again before they can be together. By rejecting the kiss, he gains leverage to set his condition.
2. What does Eli’s condition reveal about his feelings for Rue? His condition—that she communicate rather than run out—reveals that he is emotionally invested and scared of being hurt. He values her enough to want more than a one-night stand, and he acknowledges that the previous night was “intense for me, too.”
3. How does Rue’s memory of Alec bringing food relate to her research project? Rue’s research project (mentioned in earlier chapters) is on shelf life extension of produce. Her memory of being a hungry teenager and Alec bringing her healthy snacks connects her academic work to personal experience. It suggests she is motivated by a history of food insecurity.