Chapter 31 (Chapter 29) – The Tuscany Flashback: A Pregnancy Scare and Unspoken Feelings

⚠️ 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

Chapter 31 is a flashback to three summers before the present timeline. Poppy and Alex are in committed relationships – Poppy with Trey, Alex with Sarah – and they plan a couples’ trip to a Tuscan villa. Poppy reassures a nervous Alex that everything will go smoothly. The first night, the foursome bonds over wine and games, though small tensions surface (Trey’s insecurity about his education, Sarah’s dismissive attitude toward reality TV). Poppy feels a growing friendship with Sarah but also notices Alex’s subtle protectiveness. Midway through the trip, Poppy realizes her period is late; she buys three pregnancy tests and, in a panic, confides in Alex at dawn. Alex holds her, cries for the first time in front of her, and promises he will be there no matter what. All tests come back negative. Poppy’s period arrives soon after. The trip resumes normally, but Poppy is left heartbroken, aware that she still deeply loves Alex but must let him go so he can be happy with Sarah. They never speak of the morning again.

Key Events

Alex calls Poppy the night before the Tuscany trip, anxious about the couples’ dynamic.
Poppy recalls Trey’s first meeting with Alex and Sarah at Mr. Nilsen’s birthday – an awkward dinner where Trey overshadows Alex.
At the villa, the four ease into holiday mode: swimming, drinking, playing games, and having deep conversations.
Sarah’s mention of marrying Alex shocks Poppy and makes her aware of the seriousness of their relationship.
Discussion about The Bachelor reveals Poppy’s belief that love is about choosing a life, and her sense of being ganged up on by Trey and Sarah.
Alex learns his story is accepted by Tin House and the group celebrates.
Poppy feels nauseated and realizes her period is late; she secretly drives to buy pregnancy tests.
Early morning on the terrace: Poppy finds Alex ready for a run, shows him the test, and breaks down.
Alex holds her, cries, and tells her he doesn’t know what he’d do if something happened to her.
All tests show negative; Poppy gets her period later that morning.
For the rest of the trip, they keep emotional distance; they never discuss the incident again.
Poppy concludes that she must stop getting in the way of Alex’s happiness.

Character Development

Poppy: Reveals her fear of being alone and her habit of deflecting with independence. The pregnancy scare forces her to confront her dependency on Alex and her deep, unspoken love for him. She chooses to suppress her feelings for his sake.
Alex: Shows unprecedented emotional vulnerability – he cries in front of Poppy for the first time. His fear stems from losing his mother, and he admits he could not bear something happening to Poppy. This moment deepens his character beyond the calm, reserved persona.
Trey and Sarah: Remain largely undeveloped as individuals. The chapter focuses on how their presence complicates Poppy and Alex’s bond. Trey’s insecurity and Sarah’s social ease serve as catalysts for Poppy’s internal conflict.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The pregnancy test as a symbol of consequence: It represents the potential reality of a life Poppy is not ready for, and the moment when she and Alex acknowledge their deep connection without words.
“Choosing a life” from The Bachelor: Poppy’s defense of the show mirrors her own dilemma – love is not just about chemistry but about the future you can build together. She loves Trey yet knows she and Alex choose different lives.
The villa as a temporary paradise: The beautiful setting amplifies the emotional turmoil beneath the surface. It is a place where truth surfaces in the quiet dawn hours, away from distractions.
Physical touch and distance: Alex’s habitual avoidance of PDA contrasts with the desperation of holding Poppy when she is scared. The chapter ends with them pulling apart, symbolizing their choice to maintain boundaries.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel’s emotional arc. It lays bare the unresolved love between Poppy and Alex that has persisted through other relationships. The pregnancy scare forces them to articulate (non-verbally) what they mean to each other, yet they consciously choose to preserve their respective partnerships. Poppy’s decision to “stop getting in the way” explains why she later avoids confessing her feelings. The flashback also adds gravity to the current timeline, showing that the problem between them is not a simple misunderstanding but a history of chosen sacrifice. It deepens Alex’s backstory by connecting his fear of loss to his mother’s death, making his character more empathetic.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alex cry when Poppy fears she might be pregnant? Alex’s mother died from cancer when he was young. The possibility of a pregnancy carries for him the risk of death for the mother. His tears reveal that he views Poppy as irreplaceable and that losing her would be unbearable. He has never allowed himself to show such vulnerability before.

2. How does the Bachelor discussion relate to Poppy’s situation? Poppy explains that the show is about watching someone choose a life – the decision involves not just chemistry but what future each partner offers. Poppy loves Trey (easygoing, adventurous) and Alex (steady, emotionally safe) but knows she cannot have both. The conversation highlights her own inability to commit to either path fully.

3. What does Poppy mean when she thinks, “I have to stop getting in the way”? She believes that her emotional need for Alex prevents him from fully investing in his relationship with Sarah. By maintaining distance, she hopes Alex can build the happy, stable life he deserves – even though it means suppressing her own love.