Chapter 10: Summary, Key Events, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Liam sweating over his proposal to Daisy. He has spent the weekend weighing his options and concludes that Daisy is his only hope to secure the distillery. He clumsily offers to pay her for the marriage, which deeply offends her. Daisy retorts that she doesn't need to sell herself for sex and that many men are happy to be with her for free. Liam immediately regrets his words and tries to explain that he thought a business arrangement would appeal to her logical nature. He admits he can't buy the distillery himself because Brendan would never sell to him, and his company's involvement would be blocked due to their history. Daisy points out that marriage in her world involves family approval—she would be disowned if she married without their blessing, and a divorce would make her unmarriageable in the eyes of her aunties. Liam sees this as a benefit, but Daisy insists they must go through the motions of a real engagement.

Tyler interrupts, and Daisy reveals that Organicare is in financial trouble. The former CEO's expansion decision bankrupted the company, and Tyler believes Liam is there to save it. Daisy asks Liam directly: if she agrees to marry him, will he save Organicare? Liam says he can put together a funding proposal, but the partners have the final say. He also notes that the company has been mismanaged. Daisy agrees to the marriage anyway, seeing it as a way to get her aunties off her back, become unmarriageable after the divorce, and save her colleagues' jobs. Liam accepts, and they shake on it.

Liam immediately suggests flying to Vegas that night, but Daisy insists on a plan. She writes a “dating plan” on the whiteboard: six mini dates, two family gatherings, and then an elopement at city hall the day before his birthday (June 25th). After a year, they'll divorce. She also outlines who needs to know: Tyler (for conflict-of-interest reasons), Layla (because she can't lie to her), and her father (though they'll have to convince him that Liam has changed). The conversation turns to physical boundaries. Daisy declares no physical contact except for holding hands or a peck on the cheek for appearances, and no sex. Liam, feeling jealous, says he'll sleep with other people. Daisy retorts that she plans to have sex too, as a single woman. They argue about the terms, with Liam making provocative comments and Daisy firmly setting rules. She takes a picture of the whiteboard, wipes it clean, and leaves to get Tyler, promising to send the final plan.

Key Events

Liam proposes to Daisy, offering to pay her, which she rejects.
Liam explains why he can't buy the distillery himself: Brendan would refuse to sell to him.
Daisy reveals Organicare's financial crisis and asks if Liam would save the company if she married him.
Liam agrees to put together a funding proposal, but notes the partners have final say.
Daisy accepts the marriage proposal, seeing it as a solution to her family's matchmaking pressure and a way to save her job.
Liam suggests a quick Vegas wedding; Daisy insists on a structured dating plan to make the relationship believable.
Daisy outlines the plan: six mini dates, two family gatherings, and an elopement at city hall the day before Liam's birthday, followed by a divorce after one year.
They discuss who to tell: Tyler, Layla, and Daisy's father.
They argue about physical boundaries and sex; Daisy sets strict rules, and Liam reacts with jealousy.
Daisy leaves to get Tyler, promising to send the final plan.

Character Development

Liam reveals a more vulnerable side in this chapter. He is desperate to secure the distillery, but his initial offer to pay Daisy shows his lack of tact and his tendency to treat relationships as transactions. He immediately regrets the offer, and his internal monologue reveals deep-seated guilt about his past treatment of Daisy—he remembers pulling her braids and encouraging her crush before leaving her. His jealousy when Daisy mentions sleeping with other men exposes unresolved feelings he hasn't acknowledged. He also shows a willingness to adapt, agreeing to Daisy's plan despite his preference for spontaneity. His comment about wanting to make amends suggests he sees this arrangement as a chance to right old wrongs.

Daisy demonstrates her pragmatic and boundary-setting nature. She rejects the idea of being paid, asserting her independence and dignity. She is quick to think through the logistics of the fake engagement, creating a detailed plan that addresses believability and family expectations. Her concern for her colleagues at Organicare shows her loyalty and compassion. She is also firm about the physical boundaries, making it clear that this is a business arrangement and that she will not develop feelings. Her decision to tell Layla and her father (though with a lie) highlights her struggle between honesty and the need to protect her family from the truth. Her final line, “I’ll throw you a bone,” suggests she retains control and a sense of humor even in a tense negotiation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Marriage of convenience: The central premise is a transactional marriage, where both parties gain something—Liam gets the distillery, Daisy gets freedom from matchmaking and saves her company. The chapter explores the tension between this business arrangement and the emotional history between the characters.
Planning vs. spontaneity: Liam prefers to “go where the wind takes me,” while Daisy insists on a structured plan. This contrast reflects their personalities and sets up a recurring conflict. The dating plan itself becomes a symbol of Daisy's need for control and Liam's reluctant adaptation.
Boundaries: Daisy explicitly sets rules about physical contact and emotional involvement. The whiteboard list of terms symbolizes her attempt to keep the arrangement professional, even as Liam's jealousy threatens to blur those lines.
Family expectations and cultural pressure: Daisy's insistence on family approval and the fear of being disowned highlight the cultural weight of marriage in her community. The aunties' matchmaking and the threat of being “ruined” after divorce are central to her motivation.
Divorce as freedom: For Daisy, divorce is not a failure but a liberation—it will make her unmarriageable and free her from family pressure. This subverts traditional expectations.
Secrecy and lies: The couple must deceive Tyler, Daisy's father, and others about the nature of their relationship. The chapter raises questions about the ethics of their deception and the potential fallout.
Jealousy: Liam's reaction to Daisy's mention of other men reveals his unresolved feelings, foreshadowing emotional complications in their fake marriage.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it establishes the core premise of the novel: the fake engagement and the dating plan that will drive the plot. It sets up the stakes for both characters—Liam's need for the distillery and Daisy's desire to save her company and escape family pressure. It also introduces the central conflict between their business arrangement and their unresolved romantic history. The chapter deepens our understanding of both protagonists, revealing their vulnerabilities, motivations, and the emotional baggage they carry. The negotiation over boundaries and the hint of jealousy lay the groundwork for the romantic tension that will likely develop as they execute their plan.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Liam initially offer to pay Daisy, and why does she react so strongly?

Liam offers to pay because he views the marriage as a business transaction and thinks it will appeal to Daisy's logical nature. Daisy reacts strongly because she feels objectified and insulted; she asserts that she doesn't need to sell herself for sex or anything else. Her reaction forces Liam to reconsider his approach and shows her insistence on being treated with respect.

What does Daisy's dating plan reveal about her personality and priorities?

Daisy's plan is detailed and pragmatic, covering dates, family gatherings, and a timeline. It reveals her need for control, her understanding of cultural expectations, and her desire to make the arrangement believable. It also shows her priority on protecting her colleagues and her own independence, as she sees the divorce as a way to become “unmarriageable” and free from family pressure.

How does Liam's jealousy manifest in this chapter, and what does it suggest about his feelings for Daisy?

Liam's jealousy appears when Daisy mentions she plans to have sex during the marriage. He asks how many guys she intends to sleep with and then claims he'll sleep with lots of people too, though his internal reaction reveals he's struggling with the idea. This suggests he has unresolved romantic feelings for Daisy, despite his attempts to treat the arrangement as purely business. His jealousy foreshadows emotional complications in their fake marriage.

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