Chapter 13: Poolside Confessions and a Broken Thermostat
⚠️ 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
Poppy and Alex settle into chaise lounges at the Desert Rose pool. As they apply sunscreen, Poppy voices insecurities about her aging body compared to her younger self. Alex counters by saying she looks better now and dismisses Instagram critics, citing a CGI model his students follow. The conversation turns toward Alex's ex-girlfriend Sarah Torval when Poppy brings her up — a deliberate distraction from the intimacy of their touch. They attempt to enter the pool but find it too crowded and uncomfortably warm, so they retreat to read instead.
Back at the apartment, the thermostat has climbed to 82°F despite earlier adjustments. Poppy calls host Nikolai, who explains they must lower the temperature one degree at a time. Alex showers first while Poppy photographs the problems for potential reimbursement. After he finishes, Poppy enters the bathroom and discovers it has been remodeled into a futuristic spaceship-like capsule with multiple shower heads and seats. She bursts out laughing, and Alex joins her, their shared humor dispelling the earlier awkwardness. They end the scene joking about dancing naked.
Key Events
- Poppy and Alex discuss body image at the pool; Alex reassures Poppy she looks better now than at eighteen.
- Poppy asks about Alex's ex Sarah Torval, creating an awkward pause.
- They enter the pool briefly but leave because of the crowded, hot water.
- They return to the apartment to find the thermostat malfunctioning and rising to 82°F.
- Poppy calls host Nikolai, who gives convoluted instructions to cool the unit one degree at a time.
- Alex showers, and Poppy documents the thermostat and apartment issues.
- Poppy discovers the remodeled spaceship bathroom and shares a laugh with Alex.
- The chapter closes with light-hearted banter, restoring their easy rapport.
Character Development
Poppy shows deep insecurity about her physical appearance and age, revealing how social media pressures affect her self-image. Alex's response is patient and affirming, reinforcing his role as a grounding presence. When Poppy brings up Sarah, she uses it as a clumsy tactic to steer away from her own romantic feelings — a habit of deflection that reveals her discomfort with vulnerability. Alex's short, guarded answers suggest he is still unsettled by the breakup, but his willingness to joke with Poppy afterward shows their friendship can weather tension. The shared laughter over the absurd bathroom highlights their unique ability to recover from awkward moments.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Body Image and Aging: The opening conversation tackles the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance, amplified by Instagram and the shallow standards of influencer culture. Alex's counterpoint — that real beauty isn't a filter — grounds the theme in genuine connection.
Unspoken Attraction: The "what-if" moment at the pool, when Poppy imagines kissing Alex, illustrates the unresolved romantic tension between them. The physical closeness during sunscreen application and the subsequent awkwardness underscore how carefully they manage their boundaries.
Humor as a Coping Mechanism: The spaceship bathroom becomes a literal and figurative pressure release. The thermostat breakdown and Nikolai's absurd instructions heighten stress, but Poppy and Alex's ability to laugh together restores their emotional balance.
The Broken Thermostat: The apartment's uncontrollable temperature mirrors the characters' difficulty regulating their own emotions. Each degree they lower feels like a small victory, paralleling their attempts to cool the heat of their attraction.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 deepens the emotional stakes of the summer trip. It reintroduces Sarah Torval as a specter from Alex's past, reminding both him and Poppy of the barriers between them. The thermostat crisis and its comedic resolution showcase the resilience of Poppy and Alex's friendship — they can handle discomfort and awkwardness when they face it together. The bathroom scene marks a turning point in the chapter's mood, proving that even after a tense day, their bond can reset through silliness. This chapter also reinforces Poppy's internal conflicts: her jealousy of Sarah, her insecurity about her body, and her refusal to address the "what-if" that Croatia created.
Study Questions and Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Poppy bring up Sarah Torval at the pool? | She uses the topic to distract herself from the intimate sensation of Alex applying sunscreen and the "what-if" urge to kiss him. |
| How does Alex respond to Poppy's body image complaints? | He tells her she looks better now than at eighteen, calls Instagram criticisms untrue, and points out that people obsess over a CGI model — not real beauty. |
| What role does the spaceship bathroom play in the chapter’s emotional arc? | It provides a sudden comedic element that breaks the accumulated tension, allowing Poppy and Alex to laugh together and reaffirm their friendship. |