Chapter 30: Three Summers Ago – The Tuscany Vacation That Changed Everything

Spoiler Notice: This chapter reveals crucial backstory about Poppy and Alex’s relationship. Read only if you have finished the book or are prepared for major plot points.

Summary

The chapter opens on the eve of the Tuscany trip. Poppy, now in a happy long-term relationship with Trey, receives a worried text from Alex. He fears the double-date vacation with his girlfriend Sarah might be awkward. Poppy reassures him, recalling recent improvements: Sarah finally likes her Instagram posts, and the two couples had a decent but strained dinner during a visit to Alex’s hometown. That dinner in Linfield introduced Trey to Alex and Sarah, with Poppy’s parents approving of Trey despite his tattoos and lack of a degree. Despite surface politeness, subtle tension lingered, especially when Trey mentioned almost joining Poppy and Alex on their Norway trip—a moment Alex avoided.

Once in Tuscany, the four settle into a stunning villa. The first evening loosens everyone up with wine and shared stories. Sarah talks about her teaching, and Alex’s dry humor makes Poppy laugh so hard she snorts wine. For the first time, Poppy feels she could genuinely like Sarah. The vacation continues with lazy days by the pool, winery visits, and late-night games. During a conversation about the reality show The Bachelor, Poppy explains that she loves watching people choose a future, reflecting her own conflicted heart.

Midway through the trip, Poppy realizes she is two days late for her period. She drives to a 24-hour store alone, buys three pregnancy tests, and returns at dawn to find Alex preparing for a run. He sees the test in her hand and immediately comforts her. They wait together; all tests are negative. Poppy sobs with relief, but also from a deeper ache. Alex breaks down crying too, confessing that he would be lost if something happened to her. The moment rips open the fear he carries after losing his mother. Poppy comforts him, and they both feel the weight of their unacknowledged love.

After the scare, Poppy gets her period. The rest of the vacation remains polite and normal, but Poppy is shattered inside. She decides she must let Alex go so he can be happy with Sarah. They avoid touching except for a goodbye hug, and never speak of that morning again. Poppy resolves to quietly love him from afar.

Key Events

Poppy and Alex’s pre-trip phone call, where Alex voices doubts about the couples vacation.
Flashback to the Linfield dinner: awkward small talk between Trey, Sarah, Alex, and Poppy.
Trey tells the story of his music and photography career; Alex’s subtle reaction to the mention of the aborted Norway trip.
The vacation in Tuscany: pool time, wine, games, and a conversation about The Bachelor.
Poppy’s pregnancy scare: she buys tests and returns before dawn.
Alex discovers the test and comforts Poppy; both cry as the results come back negative.
Alex’s emotional breakdown reveals his deep-seated fear of losing Poppy.
Poppy decides to distance herself to let Alex pursue his life with Sarah.

Character Development

Poppy Wright: She is torn between genuine contentment with Trey and a persistent, unspoken love for Alex. The pregnancy scare forces her to confront how much she still depends on Alex emotionally. Her decision to pull away shows growth in selflessness, though it comes at great personal cost.
Alex Nilsen: For the first time, Poppy sees him cry. His vulnerability reveals that his love for her is as profound as hers for him, but he is equally afraid of ruining the lives they’ve built. His breakdown ties back to the trauma of losing his mother.
Trey: Presented as easygoing and affectionate, but unaware of Poppy’s inner conflict. He represents a safe, happy future that Poppy wants to want.
Sarah: Initially a rival for Alex’s attention, she becomes more human as the vacation progresses. Poppy begins to see her as a real person, which complicates Poppy’s feelings.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fear of Loss: Alex’s panic at the thought of Poppy being pregnant echoes his childhood grief. The pregnancy test becomes a symbol of mortality and change.
Sacrifice in Love: Poppy chooses to step back even though it breaks her heart. She believes letting Alex go is the only way he can be happy.
The Past vs. the Present: The vacation is meant to be a fresh start, but the unresolved feelings between Poppy and Alex keep pulling them back into their old dynamic.
Choice and Compatibility: The Bachelor discussion mirrors Poppy’s own dilemma: she loves Trey, but the life she sees with him feels different from the life she could imagine with Alex.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the emotional and plot hinge of the novel. It explains why Poppy and Alex have been estranged for two years before the present timeline. The pregnancy scare crystallizes the depth of their bond and the impossibility of ignoring it. Poppy makes a conscious decision to prioritize Alex’s happiness over her own desires, setting up the long separation that the rest of the book works to overcome.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alex break down crying when the pregnancy tests come back negative?
He is flooded with relief, but also with the suppressed terror of losing Poppy the way he lost his mother. The scare triggers his deepest fear: that someone he loves could die. His tears reveal how much Poppy means to him and how fragile he feels beneath his calm exterior.

2. How does the Bachelor conversation foreshadow Poppy’s later decision?
Poppy says that watching people choose a partner is fascinating because it shows how a person can love two people but recognize that only one future fits. This directly parallels her own situation: she loves Trey, but she knows that pursuing Alex would upend too many lives. The discussion primes the reader for the sacrifice she makes.

3. What does Poppy mean when she thinks, “I must stop getting in his way”?
She believes her love for Alex is an obstacle to his happiness with Sarah. By holding on to him emotionally, she prevents him from fully committing to a stable relationship. Letting go is her way of giving him the freedom to build the life he says he wants.