Chapter Fifteen: Strings Attached
⚠️ 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
Burgess hands Lissa off to his ex-wife Ashleigh on Saturday morning. While watching from her window, Tallulah sees the exchange and later admits she was curious about Burgess’s previous marriage. Burgess confronts her, and during an intimate moment, Tallulah reveals that Lissa hopes for a reconciliation between her parents. Burgess immediately dispels that notion. Their physical encounter intensifies—Tallulah performs oral sex on Burgess through his sweatpants—but Burgess stops abruptly, confessing that he wants emotional attachment, not casual sex. Tallulah is conflicted, admitting she doesn’t know if she can ever fully trust again. She then mentions a study meeting with a pushy classmate from the club; Burgess volunteers to accompany her as her bodyguard. They share a deep kiss before he forces himself to leave.
Key Events
- Burgess says goodbye to Ashleigh and Lissa; Tallulah watches from her window.
- Burgess confronts Tallulah about watching; she admits she was curious about Ashleigh.
- Tallulah confesses that Lissa hopes for a reconciliation; Burgess insists that will never happen.
- Tallulah initiates oral sex through Burgess’s sweatpants; Burgess stops them.
- Burgess states he wants strings attached and is already obsessed with Tallulah.
- Tallulah reveals she is uncertain and fears hidden motives in others.
- Tallulah mentions a study meeting with a pushy classmate (the “geek from the club”).
- Burgess volunteers to come as her bodyguard; they share a passionate kiss.
- Burgess leaves to regain control, determined to convince her to take a chance.
Character Development
Burgess shows vulnerability by admitting his obsession and demanding emotional commitment rather than just physical gratification. His protective instincts come to the fore when he offers to accompany Tallulah to her meeting, drawing a parallel to his on-ice assertiveness.
Tallulah reveals deep-seated trust issues stemming from past experiences. She struggles with self-doubt, calling herself “pathetic,” but Burgess’s reassurance and offer of presence help her lean into confidence. Her physical boldness contrasts with her emotional hesitation, highlighting her internal conflict.
Ashleigh (briefly) exhibits passive-aggressive curiosity about Tallulah, hinting at possible jealousy or concern, though Burgess dismisses it.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced
- Trust and Fear: Tallulah’s inability to trust Burgess fully, fearing he may have a hidden “different person” underneath, mirrors her broader anxiety about relationships.
- Power and Consent: Burgess stops their sexual activity to ensure emotional clarity, emphasizing that mutual desire must include agreement on the relationship’s terms.
- Protection as Love: Burgess’s immediate offer to be Tallulah’s “bodyguard” symbolizes his care and willingness to stand by her against any threat.
- Communication: Both characters articulate their needs—Burgess demands strings; Tallulah voices her uncertainty—showing a shift toward honest dialogue.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 15 marks a turning point in Burgess and Tallulah’s relationship. Burgess draws a firm boundary against casual intimacy, forcing Tallulah to confront whether she can meet his emotional investment. His offer to attend her study meeting as a protector demonstrates his commitment beyond lust. The chapter also deepens Tallulah’s backstory by linking her fear of trust to her past, while setting up an external conflict with the pushy classmate.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Burgess stop their physical encounter even though both are clearly aroused?
He wants more than a “good, hard fuck”—he needs emotional attachment and assurance that Tallulah is ready for a committed relationship. He refuses to proceed without strings attached.
2. What does Tallulah reveal about her past when she says she worries there is a “different person lurking under everyone’s surface”?
She implies she has been deceived or hurt before, likely in a previous relationship, causing her to distrust people’s genuine intentions. This explains her hesitation to fully open up to Burgess.
3. How does Burgess’s offer to accompany Tallulah to her study meeting serve multiple purposes?
It provides her with safety and confidence, demonstrates his protectiveness, and gives him a chance to observe the pushy classmate. It also reinforces that he takes her fears seriously and wants to be part of her life.