Will: Chapter 10 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

⚠️ This page contains detailed plot points from Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams, including events from Chapter Ten (Will). If you haven't read the book yet, you may want to come back later.

Summary

The chapter opens with Will Griffin on a phone call with his boss, Liv Nolsen, as he tries to negotiate a transfer to Washington, D.C., to guard a high-profile politician. Liv, however, is pushing back, explaining that Amelia (Rae Rose) specifically requested Will to stay on as her permanent security agent after the wedding, because her team will soon announce an upcoming album. Will, who has only been in Rome, Kentucky, for one weekend, is already bored and restless. He complains about the town's limitations—spotty cell service, a landline at the coffee shop, and the fact that no one will give him the wifi password because they don't trust him after he jogged shirtless.

Liv, who has a romantic streak, tries to convince him that small-town life has its charms, but Will is unmoved. He reflects on his high school years, when he worked obsessively to earn top grades in hopes of gaining his parents' attention and approval. Instead, his parents only noticed the occasional low grade and criticized him, which left him feeling unseen and unappreciated. This history explains why he now throws himself into work—it keeps his mind occupied and prevents him from dwelling on loneliness or career doubts.

Liv suggests he pick up a hobby or get a girlfriend to pass the time, but Will dismisses both ideas. As if on cue, he spots Annie across the street, wearing jean shorts and a pink tank top, laughing with Phil outside the hardware store. The sight distracts him completely, and he tunes out Liv mid-conversation. He makes a flimsy excuse about losing service (even though he's on a landline) and ends the call after Liv promises to email him information about stalkers and fans to watch.

The chapter closes with Will picking up Amelia's iced latte from the barista—a task he actually begged for, because he needed something to do while Amelia works in the studio. He asks the barista to put the drink in the fridge for a minute, implying he plans to go talk to Annie.

Key Events

Will requests a transfer to D.C., but Liv insists he stay in Rome as Amelia's permanent agent.
Liv reveals that Amelia specifically asked for Will because of an upcoming album announcement.
Will complains about the town's lack of amenities and his boredom.
Will reflects on his childhood and his parents' failure to acknowledge his achievements.
Liv suggests Will find a hobby or a girlfriend; he rejects both.
Will spots Annie across the street and becomes distracted, ending the call abruptly.
Liv promises to send information on stalkers and fans.
Will retrieves Amelia's latte, having volunteered for the errand out of restlessness.

Character Development

Will Griffin emerges as a man who uses work as a shield against introspection. His preference for high-stakes political security assignments stems from their ability to keep his mind “blissfully clear”—he doesn't have time to worry about loneliness or career choices when he's busy. This chapter reveals the root of that avoidance: his childhood experience of striving for parental approval and failing to get it. His parents' focus on his occasional low grades rather than his consistent high ones taught him that effort doesn't guarantee recognition, and he now channels that same relentless work ethic into his job, even when it leads to burnout.

His reaction to Annie is telling. He acknowledges that he can't have her “in the way my body wants,” but he's willing to settle for “fun with her in the way she requested.” This suggests a pragmatic, guarded approach to relationships—he's not looking for emotional entanglement, but he's open to distraction. The chapter also shows his vulnerability: he admits to feeling bored and trapped, and he's honest with Liv about his desire to leave. Yet he's also stubborn, refusing to consider a hobby or a relationship as viable solutions.

Liv Nolsen serves as a foil to Will. She's pragmatic but also romantic, believing she'll meet the perfect woman on a mission someday. She's also a shrewd businesswoman, prioritizing Amelia's happiness because she's the highest-paying client. Her insistence that Will “suck it up” highlights the tension between personal desire and professional obligation.

Annie appears only briefly, but her presence is significant. She's shown as warm and sociable, laughing with Phil and greeting everyone she passes. Will's observation of her—her smile, her laugh, her pink tank top—triggers an “ache in my chest,” indicating that she's more than just a casual distraction.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Small-town vs. big-city life is a central theme. Will's complaints about the landline, the lack of wifi, and the frilly bedroom décor contrast sharply with his usual high-stakes, fast-paced assignments. The town represents stagnation and forced introspection, while D.C. represents purpose and escape.

Work as escape from loneliness is another key motif. Will explicitly states that being busy prevents him from thinking about whether he's lonely or made the right career choice. His job is a coping mechanism, not just a career.

Trapped by one's own reliability emerges through Liv's argument that Amelia wants Will because he's trustworthy and discreet. His competence has made him indispensable, and that very reliability is what keeps him in a place he doesn't want to be. This echoes his childhood, where his hard work didn't earn him the recognition he craved but instead made him a target for criticism.

Childhood striving for parental approval is explored through Will's memory of high school. He worked to get the highest grades, hoping to make his parents proud, see him, or stop fighting—but it backfired. This backstory explains his current aversion to settling down and his preference for constant motion.

Distraction through attraction is evident in Will's reaction to Annie. She's the “distraction” he needs from his boredom, but he's also aware that his feelings are more complicated than simple amusement. The chapter ends with him planning to approach her, suggesting that she may become a catalyst for change.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it establishes Will's internal conflict and sets the stage for his character arc. It reveals his backstory—the parental neglect that shaped his workaholic tendencies—and explains why he resists staying in Rome. His request for a transfer and Liv's refusal create a clear obstacle: he's stuck in a town he despises, but he's also drawn to Annie, who might make the stay bearable.

The chapter also deepens the romantic tension between Will and Annie. His observation of her across the street, his physical reaction, and his decision to delay picking up the latte to talk to her all signal that their relationship will be a major focus. Additionally, the mention of Amelia's upcoming album and the need for security foreshadows future plot developments involving the tour and potential threats.

Finally, the chapter humanizes Will. His vulnerability about his childhood and his admission of boredom make him more relatable, and his refusal to accept Liv's suggestions shows his stubbornness. This sets up a compelling dynamic: Will must learn to confront his loneliness and perhaps find fulfillment in the very place he wants to escape.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Will want to transfer to D.C., and what does this reveal about his character?

Will wants to transfer because he finds Rome, Kentucky, boring and stifling. He prefers high-stakes political security assignments because they keep him busy and prevent him from thinking about loneliness or career doubts. This reveals that he uses work as an escape from introspection and emotional discomfort. His restlessness also suggests an inability to sit still or confront his own feelings.

2. How does Will's childhood experience with his parents influence his current behavior?

Will's parents ignored his high grades and only criticized his occasional low ones, which taught him that hard work doesn't guarantee recognition. This likely contributes to his relentless work ethic—he's still trying to prove his worth—and his reluctance to settle down, because he never received the approval he craved. It also explains why he avoids downtime: being idle forces him to think about unresolved feelings.

3. What role does Annie play in this chapter, and how does she affect Will's decisions?

Annie appears as a distraction and a potential source of comfort. Will spots her laughing with Phil and feels an “ache in his chest,” indicating a deeper attraction. He decides to talk to her instead of immediately returning with Amelia's latte, showing that she's already influencing his actions. Her presence offers a possible reason to stay in Rome, even though he's determined to leave.