Chapter 12 Summary: The Kayak Race and Vulnerability

⚠️ 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

Liam wakes from a sleepless night after Anna curled around him in bed. During a morning run with his father, he is distracted by memories of her body. When he returns to the bungalow, he finds Anna in a revealing bikini that Vivi bought her. After a playful exchange, he drops his shorts to shower, startling her. At the beach, the wedding party prepares for kayaking. Liam’s brother Alex provokes him, and Liam responds by performing intimacy with Anna. They launch into a competitive race, but Anna’s inept paddling and a panic attack in deep water force them to drift away from the group. Adrift, they open up: Anna explains her premed dropout, her mother’s abandonment, and her close relationship with her father David. Liam admits his complicated feelings toward his parents. When they return to shore, they learn Jake was stung by a jellyfish. Anna is asked to assess the wound but is clearly out of her depth. Alex then catches them off guard by asking about their wedding anniversary, and they give contradictory answers before Anna covers with a story about Liam serenading her.

Key Events

Liam struggles with physical attraction after Anna sleep-cuddles him.
Anna wears a tiny bikini, and Liam drops his shorts as a bold move.
Alex mocks Liam, triggering a competitive kayak race.
Anna panics in deep water and falls out of the kayak; Liam dives in after her.
They drift away from the group and have an honest conversation about family.
Anna reveals her mother left when she was five and discusses her switch from premed to art.
Jake gets stung by a jellyfish; Anna is awkwardly asked to act as a doctor.
Alex tests their marriage story by asking about their anniversary date; Anna improvises a cover.

Character Development

Liam Westin: His internal conflict deepens. He is torn between his desire for Anna and his awareness that their marriage is fake. He shows vulnerability by admitting his resentment toward his parents and his shame over the kayak race. The chapter highlights his growth: he chooses connection over competition when he lets the race go.
Anna Green: She opens up about her childhood, her mother’s abandonment, and her father’s love. Her easy vulnerability contrasts with Liam’s guardedness. She also demonstrates quick thinking under pressure when covering their anniversary slip-up.
Alex Westin: His constant need to one‑up Liam reveals his own insecurity. He uses the anniversary question as a deliberate trap, showing he suspects the marriage is a sham.
Ray Westin (Liam’s father): He remains dismissive and controlling, using business talk during the run and showing no warmth.
Jake Westin: He jokes about his injury but also subtly tests Anna by asking her to inspect his leg.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Competition vs. Connection: The kayak race represents the toxic sibling rivalry that both Liam and Alex were raised with. When Liam abandons the race to float with Anna, he chooses emotional intimacy over winning.
Vulnerability and Authenticity: The open water becomes a space where both characters lower their defenses. Anna’s story about her mother and Liam’s admission about therapy show that being vulnerable can strengthen their bond.
Performance of Marriage: The entire vacation is a performance. The anniversary question nearly exposes their lie, and Anna’s quick improvisation (“he wrote me a song”) underscores how much of their relationship is scripted.
The Ocean as a “Monster Soup”: Anna’s fear of deep water symbolizes her unease with the unknown—both the ocean and the emotional depths she is beginning to explore with Liam.
Family Expectations: Both Liam and Anna grapple with parental approval. Liam’s father and brother measure worth through achievement; Anna’s mother’s absence pushed her toward a career she didn’t want.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Liam and Anna’s relationship. The forced proximity and isolation on the kayak allow them to share personal histories for the first time. Their mutual vulnerability moves them past simple physical attraction toward genuine emotional connection. At the same time, the anniversary slip‑up raises the stakes: Alex is suspicious, and maintaining the lie will require more careful coordination. The chapter also deepens the theme of familial dysfunction, showing how both characters are shaped by their parents. By letting go of the competition, Liam demonstrates that he is capable of growth—but the fake marriage remains a ticking clock.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Liam decide to stop racing and just float with Anna? What does this decision reveal about his character?
Liam realizes that winning the race is not who he wants to be. He has spent years trying to beat Alex for their father’s approval, but the effort leaves him feeling empty. Letting go of the competition shows that he values connection with Anna over proving himself to his family. It marks a small but meaningful step in his emotional maturity.

2. Anna says she switched from premed because she chose it “for all the wrong reasons.” What were those reasons, and what does her change in major reveal about her?
Anna initially chose premed to make her mother proud, even though her mother had abandoned her. She later understood that she was trying to earn love through achievement. Switching to art—her genuine passion—shows that she has learned to prioritize her own happiness over others’ expectations. It also reflects the secure foundation her father gave her.

3. How does Alex’s question about the wedding anniversary put Liam and Anna at risk, and how do they handle it?
Alex asks for the date to test their story. Liam and Anna give different answers (August 5th vs. August 12th). Anna quickly covers by inventing a romantic proposal story—Liam wrote a song and got on his knees—and pretends the 5th is the real anniversary in her heart. The moment highlights both the fragility of their lie and Anna’s quick wit under pressure.