Chapter 22 Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Read the previous chapter for context before this one.
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Summary
The chapter opens with Ainsley's video playing for Brooke and Ray. Ainsley appears as the “ghost of relationships present,” dressed in a red velvet gown and flower crown, and delivers a dramatic monologue about not being obligated to forgive the past but needing to listen to the present. Brougham and Darcy watch from inside, making snarky comments about Ainsley's theatricality. Brooke and Ray are given a private moment to talk, and after an emotional exchange, they emerge looking happier. Darcy and Brougham bring dessert, and Ainsley's next segment introduces the final task: thirty-six questions designed to promote transparency. The questions are meant to fast-track a bond, and Brooke and Ray are to answer them together.
While Brooke and Ray work through the questions, Darcy and Brougham decide to play along themselves. They answer lighter questions first—who they'd invite to dinner, whether they'd want to be famous—and then the questions become more intense. Brougham shares his most terrible memory: when he was ten, his mother, after a fight with his father, drove him to the airport and bought tickets to another country, telling him he'd never see his dad or friends again. She changed her mind at the security line and dropped him at school, warning him never to tell anyone. Darcy shares her own worst memory: as a child, she was angry at Ainsley and didn't stop her from climbing onto a roof to retrieve a ball. Ainsley fell and was knocked out, and Darcy thought she was dead.
The conversation turns to their mothers. Darcy talks about her relationship with her mom, noting that it's improving but that she often feels ignored because her mom is busy. Brougham admits he's afraid he'll become like his mother, especially after getting drunk at prom out of anger. Darcy reassures him that he's self-aware and suggests he talk to a school counselor. Brougham agrees it's a good idea.
After the questions are done, Brooke and Ray embrace, and Darcy and Brougham watch them, feeling hopeful. As the sun sets, Brooke and Ray leave, and Brougham gives Darcy a birthday gift: a VIP pass for two to an Oriella Orates event. Darcy is overwhelmed by the expense and asks if Winona knows they're friends. Brougham reveals that he and Winona broke up after prom, and he assumed Darcy knew. Darcy is shocked and confused. Brougham explains that he thought Darcy didn't feel the same way about him, so he tried to get over her by getting back with Winona. They confess their feelings for each other and kiss by the pool. They stop when they remember Brougham's dad is inside, but they talk through their miscommunication and reconcile, holding hands as they sit together.
Key Events
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Ainsley's video tasks Brooke and Ray with thirty-six questions to promote transparency.
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Darcy and Brougham play along, sharing personal and painful memories.
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Brougham reveals his mother once tried to take him to another country without warning.
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Darcy recalls the time Ainsley fell from a roof and she thought she'd died.
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Brougham admits he fears becoming like his mother, and Darcy suggests counseling.
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Brooke and Ray reconcile and embrace after their private conversation.
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Brougham gives Darcy a VIP ticket to an Oriella Orates event.
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Darcy learns Brougham and Winona broke up after prom.
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Brougham explains he got back with Winona because he thought Darcy didn't reciprocate his feelings.
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Darcy and Brougham kiss and reconcile, then hold hands by the pool.
Character Development
Darcy shows significant growth in this chapter. She moves from being guarded and analytical to openly vulnerable, sharing a childhood memory she's never discussed and admitting her feelings for Brougham. She also demonstrates empathy by encouraging Brougham to seek professional help, showing that she cares about his well-being beyond their romantic connection.
Brougham reveals a deeply painful part of his past, which explains his fear of abandonment and his tendency to push people away. His confession about getting back with Winona out of fear shows his insecurity and his struggle to trust that someone could genuinely like him. By the end, he allows himself to be vulnerable with Darcy, and his smile is described as “soft” and “not rare at all,” indicating a shift toward emotional openness.
Brooke and Ray reconcile, showing that forgiveness is possible when both parties are willing to listen and be transparent. Their embrace symbolizes a fresh start.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Reconciliation and Forgiveness: The chapter centers on Brooke and Ray's reconciliation, but it also applies to Darcy and Brougham, who forgive each other for their miscommunication.
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Transparency and Vulnerability: The thirty-six questions are designed to force honesty, and both couples benefit from being open about their feelings and fears.
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Fear of Repeating Parental Mistakes: Brougham's fear of becoming like his mother drives his anxiety about his own behavior, and Darcy's reassurance highlights the importance of self-awareness.
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Miscommunication: Both Darcy and Brougham misinterpreted each other's actions, leading to unnecessary pain. Their eventual conversation clears up the misunderstanding.
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Ghosts of Relationships Present and Future: Ainsley's costumes symbolize the idea that focusing on the past can blind you to the present, and that the future is not predetermined.
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Taking Risks in Love: Darcy and Brougham both take emotional risks by confessing their feelings, and the chapter suggests that vulnerability is necessary for connection.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Darcy and Brougham's relationship. It resolves the tension that has been building since their first kiss and clarifies the miscommunication that kept them apart. The parallel with Brooke and Ray's reconciliation reinforces the theme that honesty and vulnerability can heal relationships. Brougham's backstory adds depth to his character, explaining his fear of abandonment and his defensive behavior. The chapter also shows Darcy's growth from a detached observer to an active participant in her own emotional life. The gift of the VIP ticket demonstrates Brougham's thoughtfulness and his desire to include Darcy in his world, and the final scene by the pool solidifies their connection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Brougham get back together with Winona after prom?
Brougham explains that he convinced himself Darcy didn't feel the same way because she never reached out as she said she would. To avoid dealing with his feelings for someone who didn't like him back, he threw himself into a relationship with Winona, hoping to change his feelings. This reveals his anxious attachment style and his fear of rejection.
2. How does Darcy's reaction to Brougham's confession about his mother show her growth?
Instead of dismissing his fear or making it about herself, Darcy listens and offers practical advice. She points out that he's self-aware and capable of change, and she suggests he see a counselor. This shows that Darcy is learning to be emotionally supportive and to prioritize Brougham's well-being, rather than just analyzing situations from a distance.
3. What role does the thirty-six questions exercise play in the chapter?
The exercise serves as a catalyst for both couples to open up. For Brooke and Ray, it provides a structured way to address their issues and reconcile. For Darcy and Brougham, it creates an opportunity to share personal stories and fears, deepening their intimacy and leading to their eventual confession of feelings. The questions force vulnerability, which is essential for building trust.