Chapter 22 Summary – Larissa
⚠️ 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
Larissa attends a pool party at Mike’s aunt Joy’s house in Edina. The event is a wedding shower for his cousins Jane and Benny. Larissa is awed by the beach-themed setup, having once worked catering at similar events. She struggles with dietary restrictions because nearly all the food contains nuts, which could trigger her allergy. Mike generously refrains from eating in solidarity and promises to take her for a burger later. He mentions he has been reading the reality-show book she and Chris enjoyed, showing an effort to connect with her interests. Larissa asks when Chris will arrive and learns he had to work late. She has been planning a surprise for him since learning about the party four weeks ago.
Larissa’s mother’s boyfriend Phil now lives with them, making the apartment unbearable. She spends most of her time at Mike’s house, where his mother Donna has grown increasingly cold toward her. Donna does not want Woofarine, Larissa’s dog, on the property, though Mike lets him come anyway. Larissa feels she can confide in Chris more than anyone else, including her best friend Lexi or Mike. She and Chris often exchange the dog and talk about books, life, and her home situation.
Becca defends Larissa when Mike suggests she should stop working because he will take care of her. Larissa explains she needs her own income to feel safe, unwilling to repeat her mother’s pattern of dependence. Mike backpedals but does not follow up on her request to stop for a secret shop on the way home.
Key Events
- Larissa arrives at a pool party and admires the elaborate beach theme, noting she previously worked such events.
- She discovers all the food contains nuts and cannot eat; Mike refuses to eat as a gesture of support.
- Mike reveals he has been reading a book Larissa and Chris shared, trying to engage with her hobbies.
- Larissa asks about Chris and learns he is working late; she has been planning a surprise for him.
- Phil, her mother’s boyfriend, has moved into the apartment and never leaves, driving Larissa to spend more time at Mike’s.
- Larissa senses growing hostility from Mike’s mother Donna, especially regarding Woofarine.
- Becca and Mike argue about Larissa’s right to work; Larissa asserts her need for financial independence.
- Mike dismisses Larissa’s desire to stop for a secret shop on the way home, offering cash instead.
Character Development
Larissa demonstrates increasing self-awareness and determination. She refuses to be financially dependent on a man, drawing a firm line against repeating her mother’s mistakes. She also shows emotional intelligence by recognizing her growing trust in Chris over others.
Mike appears well-meaning but patronizing. He tries to bond with Larissa by reading her book, yet his offer to support her fully reveals a traditional view that clashes with her values. He avoids conflict about the secret shop and does not address his mother’s coldness.
Chris remains offstage but is important as a confidant. Larissa values their conversations and feels safe sharing her problems with him, hinting at a deepening emotional connection.
Becca emerges as a vocal ally, directly challenging Mike’s assumptions about gender roles and financial security.
Donna is shown to be subtly unwelcoming, adding tension to Larissa’s relationship with Mike.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Financial Independence: Larissa’s refusal to let Mike support her is a direct rejection of her mother’s dependence on men. She equates earning her own income with safety and self-worth.
Dietary Restrictions as Isolation: The nut-free menu that prevents Larissa from enjoying the party mirrors her outsider status in Mike’s world. Mike’s solidarity in not eating is a kind gesture but does not solve the underlying problem.
Communication and Mismatched Expectations: Mike offers money instead of understanding why the secret shop matters to Larissa. He does not truly hear her need for autonomy, foreshadowing future conflicts.
Growing Bond with Chris: The repeated mentions of shared books, dog exchanges, and private conversations suggest an emotional intimacy that may rival her relationship with Mike.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter solidifies the fault lines in Larissa and Mike’s relationship. Her insistence on financial independence sets up a fundamental value clash that cannot be resolved with good intentions alone. The contrast between Mike’s traditional support and Chris’s empathetic listening deepens the reader’s sense that Larissa’s emotional needs are not being fully met. Tensions with Donna also introduce familial pressure that may influence Mike’s behavior. The chapter further develops Larissa’s backstory about her mother’s choices and her own determination to break the cycle.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Larissa’s reaction to the nut-free menu reveal about her relationship with Mike?
Larissa hides her disappointment and does not ask to leave early until Mike suggests it. She prioritizes his enjoyment over her own needs, which shows she is still managing his perceptions rather than fully asserting herself. Mike’s offer to eat later is generous but does not address the larger pattern of her compromises.
2. Why does Larissa feel she can tell Chris things she cannot tell Lexi or Mike?
Chris has proven trustworthy and nonjudgmental. He listens without immediately trying to solve her problems, and she believes he would never share what she tells him. With Mike, she fears conflict; with Lexi, she worries information might get back to Jesse and then to Mike. Chris occupies a safe, neutral space where she can be honest.
3. How does Becca’s intervention change the conversation about Larissa’s job?
Becca directly calls out the risk of financial dependency, citing real-world consequences like cheating or abandonment. Her lawyer-like argument gives Larissa the courage to voice her own feelings without angering Mike. It also shows Larissa that her concerns are valid and shared by other women, reinforcing her resolve.