Chapter 9 (Chapter 7) Summary: The LAX Reunion

⚠️ 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

The chapter begins with Poppy’s plane touching down at LAX. She immediately texts Rachel, Garrett, her mom, David Nilsen, and Alex. A series of messages reveals that David is getting married to Tham and that Alex’s father has embraced the relationship. Poppy recalls a text exchange where she and Alex joked about his past relationship with Sarah, a topic they’ve since avoided. As Poppy prepares to meet Alex, she feels nervous—she hasn’t seen him in two years. A flashback to the first time Alex met her parents shows their chaotic household and Alex’s polite discomfort. In the present, Alex finds Poppy at the gate and they share a long, natural hug. They walk together, and Poppy can’t stop staring at him, finally saying he’s “tall.” Alex acknowledges it’s good to see her.

Key Events

Poppy’s plane lands and she exchanges texts with family and friends.
She reads David’s invitation and recalls the joke about Alex’s father and David’s gay marriage.
Poppy remembers her text fight with Alex about Sarah and Guillermo.
A flashback to the first time Alex met Poppy’s parents: he rings the doorbell, gets barraged by dogs and her father’s blunt questions, and Poppy deflects with talk about his old car.
Present time: Alex appears at the gate and hugs Poppy; they both hold on longer than usual.
Poppy stares at Alex, comments on his height, and he smiles, saying it’s good to see her.

Character Development

Poppy: Her nervousness about seeing Alex after two years shows her emotional vulnerability and fear of rekindling the friendship. The flashback reveals her protective love for her family and her desire not to be judged.
Alex: His easygoing hug and continued thoughtfulness (sending flowers when her dog died) demonstrate he still cares deeply. His earlier text exchange about Sarah hints at unresolved romantic feelings.
Poppy’s parents: Portrayed as loud, affectionate, and overwhelming, but ultimately loving. Her mother openly hopes Poppy and Alex will get together.
David and Tham: Add a subplot of family acceptance; Alex’s father has come around, showing capacity for growth.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Home and Family: Contrast between Poppy’s warm, chaotic family and Alex’s more restrained upbringing. The flashback underscores how family shapes each character’s behavior.
Time and Distance: The two-year gap heightens the tension of their reunion. The long hug symbolizes that their connection survives despite the hiatus.
Nostalgia and Memory: Poppy’s detailed recall of their first meeting with her parents and the saved card from Alex show how memories sustain their bond.
Fear of Change: Poppy worries that Alex getting back with Sarah would end their friendship; this fear motivates her present anxiety.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks the first in-person meeting between Poppy and Alex since their friendship fell apart. It re-establishes their physical and emotional chemistry, confirming that the spark is still there. The flashback deepens reader understanding of Poppy’s family background and why she values Alex’s nonjudgmental acceptance. The unresolved tension about Sarah and the Croatia trip continues to loom, setting up the emotional stakes for the wedding weekend.

Study Questions and Answers

What does Poppy’s memory of the first time Alex met her parents reveal about their respective upbringings? Poppy’s family is loud, messy, and physically affectionate, while Alex comes from a more reserved, non-huggy environment. Poppy is initially anxious that Alex will judge her family, but Alex handles the chaos politely, showing his ability to adapt.
Why does Poppy feel both excited and terrified to see Alex at the airport? She is excited because she has missed him deeply, but terrified because two years of silence make the reunion uncertain. She worries about awkwardness, whether to hug him, and the possibility that he is back with Sarah, which could end their friendship.
How does the author use the long hug to convey the state of Poppy and Alex’s relationship? The hug lasts longer than socially expected, suggesting mutual relief and lingering affection. Poppy describes feeling like they become “one living, breathing thing with twice as many hearts,” indicating that their bond remains intimate despite the time apart.