Chapter 23 Summary: Phoebe Opens Up to Matthew
⚠️ 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 (Complete and Chronological)
After Jonathan falls asleep on the couch, Phoebe covers him with blankets and retreats to her room. Inspired by Jonathan’s earlier bravery, she finally responds to Matthew’s texts—not by typing, but by calling him. To her surprise, Matthew answers. He reveals he is in Los Angeles for a work shoot. Phoebe asks to see him, and they arrange to meet at Jeffery’s bar.
Phoebe arrives early, orders two waters, and nervously waits. When Matthew walks in, she hugs him tightly, feeling his heartbeat match her own. They sit in a booth, and Phoebe immediately asks why he isn’t angrier about her ignoring his texts. He says he had fun at the wedding and enjoyed getting to know her. She insists she was an impostor in the closet, but he reminds her of their talk on the windowsill, where she began to make sense to him.
Matthew then volunteers his own flaws: he cannot use eye drops or contacts, and his silver ring has been stuck on his finger for a year. He asks for her turn. Phoebe exhales and confesses everything: the Lucas Johnson incident in the auditorium that left her unable to date; that she didn’t really have food poisoning the first time they were supposed to meet; how she panicked about their date last weekend; that she is an almost-thirty-year-old virgin; and the list she made—with “Go on a date with Matthew” as the final, hardest task. She says she threw the list away and is only here because she wants to be. She admits she does not want to be just friends.
Matthew listens without flinching. He traces a circle on her thumb and says he doesn’t want to be just friends either. They agree to take it slow, but when he gets up to order champagne, Phoebe slides into his side of the booth. Over drinks, she notices him looking at her mouth. He confesses he had a hard time not kissing her back in the closet.
Then Matthew blurts out a confession of his own: the video of Bev the octopus solving a Rubik’s Cube was an April Fool’s joke—an AI-generated fake. He sent it without checking, and Phoebe got a tattoo of it. He apologizes profusely, but Phoebe laughs it off, saying she loves the tattoo and it makes a better story. To calm his nerves, she suggests doing crosswords. They finish three puzzles together, and the bar closes at 1:30 a.m.
Matthew tells her he must fly back to New York that morning, but he promises to come back for a real date. At her front door, he seems too nervous to kiss her, so Phoebe hugs him and makes him promise to return.
Inside, she finds Jonathan awake and worried. She explains she was with Matthew. Jonathan is supportive, and they fall asleep on opposite ends of the couch. When Phoebe wakes, Matthew has already booked a flight for the next weekend.
Key Events
- Phoebe calls Matthew after Jonathan falls asleep, discovers he is in LA, and arranges to meet him at Jeffery’s bar.
- She confesses her anxiety, the list, her virginity, and the real reason she avoided earlier dates.
- Matthew reveals that the viral octopus video he sent her was an April Fool’s joke—Bev never solved a Rubik’s Cube.
- They share champagne, do crosswords together, and stay until the bar closes.
- Matthew admits he finds it hard not to kiss her but holds back due to nervousness.
- Phoebe returns home to Jonathan, who waits up and supports her.
- Matthew books a flight to LA for the following weekend.
Character Development
Phoebe: For the first time, she openly speaks about the trauma that has held her back. She admits her fears and her past actions without filtering, showing true bravery inspired by Jonathan’s earlier honesty. Practicing “do it scared,” she replaces self-sabotage with action.
Matthew: He reveals his own insecurities—being unable to wear contacts, getting a ring stuck on his finger, and falling for a fake octopus video. His willingness to confess the embarrassing mistake shows he values trust over appearing perfect. His nervous foot-tapping and reluctance to kiss highlight a sweet vulnerability.
Jonathan: Though mostly absent from the chapter, his earlier confession in the office directly motivates Phoebe. He becomes a supportive presence who waits up and listens, reinforcing their bond.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Bravery and Growth: The chapter’s core theme is the courage to be vulnerable. Phoebe acts on Jonathan’s line “I’ve had enough,” deciding she has had enough of standing in her own way.
Honesty as Intimacy: Both characters reveal embarrassing truths—Phoebe’s virginity and the fake octopus—and these admissions deepen their connection rather than drive them apart.
The Bev Tattoo: Once a symbol of a false belief, the tattoo becomes a meaningful emblem of their shared story and Phoebe’s ability to embrace imperfection.
Crosswords: The collaborative puzzles act as a metaphor for partnership and communication. They calm Matthew’s nerves and represent the comfortable, intellectual bond between the two.
The Abandoned List: Phoebe explicitly says she threw the list away, signaling a shift from a task-driven approach to genuine desire.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the emotional turning point of Phoebe’s arc. After weeks of avoidance, she finally speaks her truth to Matthew, removing the barriers that have kept her isolated. Matthew’s reciprocal confession—about the fake octopus—levels the playing field, showing that intimacy requires mutual risk. Their night at the bar demonstrates that a relationship can be built on honesty and shared silliness rather than perfection. The chapter also cements Jonathan as a catalyst for Phoebe’s growth. By the end, Phoebe has not only opened up but also secured a promise for a future date, proving that vulnerability can lead to connection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Phoebe decide to call Matthew after Jonathan falls asleep?
Inspired by Jonathan’s confession in his office and his words “I’ve had enough,” Phoebe realizes she has had enough of letting fear control her. She channels Jonathan’s bravery into her own life and takes the first step.
2. How does Matthew’s confession about Bev affect the dynamic between him and Phoebe?
Matthew’s admission that he unwittingly sent a fake video shows he is also capable of mistakes and gullibility. Instead of anger, Phoebe laughs and reassures him, which breaks remaining tension. The moment transforms a potentially disastrous secret into a bonding experience, making them comfortable with each other’s imperfections.
3. What does the fact that Matthew does not kiss Phoebe at the door reveal about his character?
His nervous foot-tapping and decision to keep his hands in his pockets show that he respects her earlier request to take it slow and is genuinely anxious—not aloof. It mirrors Phoebe’s own anxiety, making him more relatable and setting up a sweet anticipation for their next meeting.