Chapter 7 (Chapter 6) Summary: Maya's Heartbreak and Conor's Arrival

Spoiler Notice: This page contains detailed plot points and character insights from Chapter 7 (which corresponds to Chapter 6 in the book). If you have not read this chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens three years, two months, and three weeks before the main timeline. Maya Killgore sits alone in St. Andrews Square Garden in Edinburgh at sunset, sobbing uncontrollably for forty-five minutes. She has just been dumped by her boyfriend Alfie after a year and a half together, and he has already started a relationship with Georgia—her roommate and the cousin of her best friend Rose. That morning, the three of them staged an intervention and told Maya she should not stand between their romance. Maya exploded, yelling crude wishes at them, and later that day they confronted her again, blaming her for being aggressive. Feeling betrayed and exhausted, Maya runs out of the apartment and ends up in the park.

While crying, she notices a tourist wearing a Penn State shirt, which reminds her of her older brother Eli, who played hockey. Even though she barely speaks to Eli, she decides to call him. The call is answered by a receptionist who transfers her to a man named Conor Harkness—Eli’s business associate and friend. Conor initially mistakes Maya for a CEO named Mayers, but she corrects him. He tells her Eli is en route to Australia and unreachable. They argue, and Maya vents her entire story: Alfie’s betrayal, Georgia’s involvement, the intervention, and her anger. Conor listens and tells her she should not bottle up her feelings. Maya admits she has anger-management issues and has been trying to be a calmer, more carefree version of herself in Scotland, but she feels she has failed.

After hanging up, Maya goes to the university library to study for a nuclear astrophysics test. She struggles to concentrate, thinking about her friends and the betrayal. Around midnight, she returns to her apartment, hoping Alfie and Georgia will be asleep. Instead, she finds them laughing in the kitchen—and standing next to them is Conor Harkness, who has flown to Scotland and found her address. He gives her a faint smile, and Maya realizes he has come for her.

Key Events

Maya sobs in the park after being dumped by Alfie and betrayed by her roommate Georgia.
She calls her brother Eli but reaches Conor Harkness instead.
After a tense conversation, Maya blurts out the full story of the breakup and the intervention.
Conor learns about Maya’s anger issues and her desire to be a different person in Scotland.
Maya hangs up and spends hours at the university library trying to study.
She returns to her apartment late at night and finds Alfie, Georgia, and Conor Harkness waiting in the kitchen.

Character Development

Maya Killgore: This flashback reveals Maya’s deep vulnerability and her struggle with anger. She has worked hard in therapy to manage her emotions, but the betrayal from people she trusted makes her question whether her efforts were real or just a mask. She wanted to be “grounded and easygoing” in Scotland, but she feels she has backslid. The conversation with Conor is the first time she openly admits her fear of being the odd one out.
Conor Harkness: Initially abrasive and dismissive, Conor shows unexpected concern. He forces Maya to talk, listens without judgment, and then takes concrete action by flying to her city. His appearance in her kitchen signals a willingness to help beyond words—a side of him Maya has never seen.
Eli Killgore: Though absent, Eli’s role as a distant brother is highlighted. Maya rarely calls him, but his influence—through Conor—shapes the chapter.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Betrayal and Friendship: The chapter examines how quickly trust can shatter when romantic and platonic boundaries blur. Maya’s best friend Rose is not directly involved, but her cousin Georgia is. The apartment becomes a hostile space where Maya feels both guilty and victimized.
Anger and Self-Perception: Maya’s anger is a central conflict. She fears her emotions are disproportionate, yet Conor validates them as legitimate. The chapter contrasts her desire for a “plastic doll” persona with the messy reality of her feelings.
Unlikely Support: Conor, a near-stranger, becomes the person who offers the most genuine support. His bluntness paradoxically makes it easier for Maya to open up. The motif of unexpected help—especially from someone she previously dismissed—echoes throughout the book.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a crucial flashback that establishes the foundational trauma of Maya’s past relationship and her friendship group. It introduces Conor Harkness as a significant figure years before the main timeline, setting up their eventual connection. It also humanizes Maya by showing her at her lowest, explaining why she later guards her heart and struggles with trust. The chapter deepens the emotional stakes and provides context for her behavior in the present.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Maya call her brother Eli, and what does the outcome reveal about their relationship?
Maya calls Eli only after exhausting all other options. She admits they barely speak, and she has to search for his contact. This reveals a distant, almost estranged sibling relationship—Eli provides financial support but little emotional connection. The call reaching Conor instead underscores how disconnected they are.
What does Maya mean when she says she wanted “Scotland Maya” to be grounded and easygoing, and why does she feel she has failed?
Maya moved to a new country to leave behind her old reputation as an angry, bereaved teenager. She worked on therapy and journaling to become a “better version” of herself. However, the betrayal by Alfie and Georgia triggers her anger again, making her feel that her efforts were fake. She fears she cannot truly change.
Why does Conor Harkness appear in Maya’s kitchen at the end of the chapter? What does this action suggest about his character?
Conor tracked Maya’s location from her mention of Tunnock’s wafers and her accent, then flew to Edinburgh and found her apartment. This suggests that despite his abrasive exterior, he is deeply protective of people connected to Eli—and now of Maya. His action is a dramatic shift from his earlier dismissiveness, showing he takes her distress seriously.