The Boyfriend Chapter 33 (Chapter 32) Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Sydney and Tom have their third date, this time at a poke bowl restaurant. Tom pays for the meal as usual, and Sydney mentions she has bought tequila and limes, planning to invite him back to her apartment. While walking, she carelessly mentions that her ex-boyfriend Jake is a cop, and Tom stiffens but quickly brushes it off. When they are three blocks from her building, Tom stops in front of a different building, assuming she lives there—the same building where he rescued her from Real Kevin. Sydney clarifies that she only pretended to live there for safety. Once they are at her actual apartment building, Tom becomes visibly anxious, looking pale and claiming he feels sick from the poke. Sydney insists he come up anyway. In the elevator, Tom asks how long she has lived there and whether she knows many neighbors. She reveals that her close friend Bonnie was murdered in the building a few months ago by a man she was dating, who used a burner phone and was never caught. Tom appears shocked and uneasy.

Inside the apartment, Tom tries to leave, citing a fake early-morning staff meeting. While Sydney cuts a lime, she slices her finger badly, causing a lot of blood. Tom, a doctor, retrieves her well-stocked first aid kit and expertly bandages the wound. His demeanor relaxes as he tends to her injury. He then kisses her and suggests moving to the bedroom, forgetting his earlier excuse. Sydney agrees, and they head to the bedroom.

Key Events

Sydney and Tom enjoy a third date at a poke bowl restaurant, and Sydney buys tequila for a planned nightcap.
Sydney mentions her ex-boyfriend Jake is a cop, momentarily upsetting Tom.
Tom mistakenly stops at the building where he once rescued Sydney from Real Kevin.
Upon reaching Sydney’s actual building, Tom becomes pale and nauseous, claiming the food might be bad.
In the elevator, Tom asks about her residency and neighbors; Sydney tells him about Bonnie’s unsolved murder.
Tom attempts to leave with a flimsy meeting excuse but stays after Sydney cuts her finger.
Tom examines her first aid kit, praises its contents, and bandages her finger skillfully.
Tom’s mood shifts completely; he kisses Sydney and suggests they go to the bedroom.

Character Development

Sydney: Shows her ongoing vulnerability—bleeding again in front of Tom—and her desire to move forward romantically despite grief over Bonnie. She is perceptive enough to notice Tom’s strange behavior but rationalizes it.

Tom: Initially playful and attentive, then abruptly nervous and evasive. His anxiety about the building and his relief when helping with a medical task suggest he may have a personal connection to the building or to Bonnie’s death. His sudden recovery and renewed interest in intimacy raise questions about his true intentions.

Jake (mentioned): Referenced only as an ex-boyfriend who is a cop; Sydney has recently been in touch with him, which she omits from Tom.

Bonnie (mentioned): Sydney’s murdered friend becomes a key piece of information that unsettles Tom.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Bleeding and Injury: Sydney’s frequent bleeding episodes recur. This chapter reinforces her medical condition and creates a moment of connection between her and Tom, but also highlights her physical and emotional wounds.

Deception and Half-Truths: Sydney lied about her apartment to Real Kevin; Tom likely lies about his meeting. Both characters hide aspects of their pasts.

The First Aid Kit: Tom is impressed by the kit’s completeness. It symbolizes preparedness and control, contrasting with the chaos of the murder and Sydney’s helplessness. Tom’s comfort with the kit hints at a professional or personal familiarity with crisis management.

The Apartment Building as a Setting of Danger: The building is now associated with Bonnie’s murder, and Tom’s reaction suggests he has prior knowledge or unease about this location.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the suspense surrounding Tom’s past and his possible link to Bonnie’s death. For the first time, Sydney sees him rattled and in a moment of weakness, but she quickly dismisses her instincts. The contrast between his panic and his seductive recovery sets up a potential turning point in their relationship and in the broader mystery.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Tom panic when he sees Sydney’s apartment building?
Tom reacts with nausea, pallor, and persistent questions about how long Sydney has lived there and who she knows in the building. His anxiety is apparently not triggered by the poke meal but by the building itself. The text suggests he may have a prior negative association with the building, possibly related to Bonnie’s murder.
How does Sydney’s mention of Bonnie’s murder affect the mood of the scene?
Sydney reveals that her close friend was killed in the building by a man using a burner phone, and the killer was never caught. Tom’s shock and his questions about whether anyone knows who the killer is hint that he might be connected to the crime. The revelation shifts the mood from romantic to tense.
What role does the first aid kit play in the scene?
The first aid kit is a symbol of preparedness and competence. Tom’s admiration of its contents and his effective bandaging soothe his own nerves and rebuild his rapport with Sydney. It also reinforces his identity as a doctor and provides a reason for him to stay in the apartment.