Chapter 39 Summary: Asher – Official Boyfriend & Girlfriend
⚠️ 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
Asher reflects on his promise to stop racing, feeling no regret—only a desire to never make Scarlett cry again. Over three grueling workdays with Aoki Watches, he spends every night with Scarlett, exploring Tokyo’s izakayas, temples, and karaoke bars. On their last night, he surprises her with a private sunset helicopter tour of Tokyo, followed by a gourmet omakase dinner on the hotel rooftop, arranged with help from Sebastian and a top chef.
During dinner, Scarlett asks to make their relationship official—boyfriend and girlfriend—before telling Vincent. Asher agrees, relieved she wants the label for herself, not just for Vincent. Scarlett then opens up about her past: her therapy, her mother’s mixed feelings after the accident, her inability to visit Westbury (the venue tied to her ballet career and the crash), and her jealousy of her students’ potential. Asher listens without judgment, sharing that he’s saving the words “I love you” for another time, when the looming conversation with his brother doesn’t darken their horizon.
Key Events
- Asher internally accepts stopping racing, prioritizing Scarlett’s emotions.
- Their three days in Tokyo are filled with work by day and intimate dates by night.
- On the final evening, Asher arranges a helicopter tour and candlelit rooftop dinner.
- Scarlett initiates the “official” label, and they become boyfriend and girlfriend.
- Scarlett reveals her ongoing trauma: Westbury as a symbol of her lost career, jealousy toward her students, and her mother’s complicated support.
- Asher thinks about his father’s silence after the heart attack, contrasting with Scarlett’s healthier family dynamics.
- The chapter ends with Asher deciding to save his declaration of love for a better moment.
Character Development
Asher Donovan shows significant growth by sacrificing a longtime coping mechanism (racing) for Scarlett’s peace of mind. He becomes more attentive and vulnerable, listening to her deepest insecurities without deflecting. His internal conflict about his father remains unresolved, but he refocuses on building a future with Scarlett.
Scarlett DuBois displays emotional courage by sharing her jealousy of her students and her fear of Westbury. She admits that healing is ongoing, not a fixed destination. By choosing to label the relationship, she actively opens a door to the future, as her therapist encouraged. Her confession about her mother’s pride reveals her self-awareness and willingness to forgive.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Healing and the past: Scarlett’s inability to enter Westbury represents the lingering pain of her accident. Her therapy work is shown as a process, not a cure.
- Jealousy and humanity: Her honest admission of jealousy toward her students normalizes ugly feelings, reinforcing the idea that actions matter more than thoughts.
- Labels and commitment: Becoming official symbolizes a transition from private to public, from summer fling to serious relationship.
- Unspoken words: Asher saves “I love you,” mirroring earlier chapters and building tension for the upcoming revelation to Vincent.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter solidifies Asher and Scarlett’s commitment, moving from a casual arrangement to a defined relationship. It deepens character backstory—especially Scarlett’s trauma and her progress. The emotional intimacy achieved here raises the stakes for the impending confrontation with Vincent. It also marks a turning point for Asher, who chooses love over adrenaline.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Asher agree to stop racing without feeling conflicted?
Asher prioritizes Scarlett’s emotional wellbeing after seeing her cry. His own desire to avoid causing her pain outweighs the therapeutic release racing provided.
2. What does Westbury symbolize for Scarlett, and why can’t she visit?
Westbury represents her former career as a prima ballerina and the car accident that ended it. She was en route to perform there when the crash occurred, making the venue a painful reminder of what she lost.
3. Why does Asher decide not to tell Scarlett he loves her yet?
He wants to reveal his feelings at a time not shadowed by the upcoming conversation with his brother Vincent. He prefers to wait until their relationship feels free of external pressure.