Chapter 25: Does It Really Not Sound Like a Fantastic Idea?
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed plot points and character revelations from Chapter 25 of Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood. If you have not yet read this chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary (Complete and Chronological)
Rue Siebert goes to the hockey rink at Kline to return a set of keys she believes Eli left in her car. She finds Eli practicing alone and he invites her to skate, but she refuses, determined to keep their relationship limited to physical encounters. They talk about the complicated love triangle among their friends Hark, Minami, and Sul, as well as Eli's sister Maya's crush on Hark. Eli notes that the keys are not his, suggesting someone else has been in Rue's car. He confesses that people are uncomfortable around Rue because she never pretends to be anything other than herself, and that he likes her for that very reason.
Rue agrees to have sex with Eli in his car. Afterward, while tidying the glove compartment, she discovers a legal deposition for Florence Kline dated about two weeks earlier. The deposition shows Florence was questioned under oath about her knowledge of Eli and the founding of Harkness. Florence had told Rue she did not know Eli before the lawsuit, but the deposition proves otherwise. Rue feels betrayed by both Florence and Eli. She confronts Eli, who tries to explain, but she refuses to listen and leaves the car in fury.
Key Events
- Rue visits the rink and declines Eli's offer to skate together.
- They discuss the romantic entanglements of Hark, Minami, Sul, and Maya.
- Rue realizes the keys she found belong to someone else, not Eli.
- Eli reveals that most people are unsettled by Rue's authenticity.
- Rue and Eli have sex in his car.
- Rue finds a deposition of Florence Kline in Eli's glove compartment.
- She learns Florence lied about not knowing Eli years ago.
- Rue angrily rejects Eli's attempts to explain and walks away.
Character Development
- Rue – Begins the chapter reinforcing emotional boundaries but gives in to physical desire. Her discovery of the deposition shatters her trust and forces her to confront that both Florence and Eli have kept secrets from her. Her reaction shows a new capacity for anger and vulnerability.
- Eli – Demonstrates a deeper romantic longing, asking Rue for more than sex. His hidden role in the deposition reveals he is more entangled in the lawsuit than Rue knew, creating a conflict between his feelings for her and his professional obligations.
- Florence (off-page) – Her lie about not knowing Eli is exposed, undermining Rue's trust and complicating the investigation against Kline.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Betrayal and Secrecy – The deposition symbolizes the hidden truths that undermine Rue's relationships with both Florence and Eli. Secrets accumulate and finally surface.
- Intimacy vs. Emotional Distance – Rue’s refusal to skate (an intimate shared activity) contrasts with her willingness to have sex, highlighting her attempt to compartmentalize physical closeness from emotional connection.
- The Power of Truth – The discovery of the deposition acts as a catalyst, forcing Rue to see that she has been deliberately misled. The chapter suggests that withheld information cannot remain hidden forever.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 25 is the turning point of the novel. Rue’s discovery of the deposition changes her understanding of everyone around her. The revelation that Florence lied under oath – and that Eli was involved in deposing her – dismantles Rue's ability to trust either of them. This moment sets up the central conflict for the remainder of the story, as Rue must decide whom to believe and how to move forward.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Rue refuse to skate with Eli, even though she wants to?
Rue believes that skating would create a deeper intimacy than sex. She has been trying to keep her relationship with Eli strictly physical in order to avoid betraying Florence, who is both her boss and the subject of the lawsuit. By refusing, Rue attempts to maintain a limit that protects her emotional boundaries and her loyalty to Florence.
2. What does the deposition reveal about Florence’s past, and why is it significant?
The deposition shows that Florence knew Eli years before the lawsuit – specifically that she served as a mentor to him, Hark, and Minami when they were all at the University of Texas. This directly contradicts what Florence told Rue earlier in the day. The significance lies in the fact that Florence lied under oath, raising questions about her credibility and the validity of the claims against Harkness.
3. How does Rue’s discovery affect her relationship with Eli?
Rue feels manipulated and betrayed because Eli kept the deposition – and his history with Florence – hidden from her. His attempts to explain are met with anger and rejection. The trust that had been building between them is shattered, and Rue leaves without resolution, indicating that their relationship is now in crisis.