Chapter 8 (Chapter 7) Summary: Setting the Stage for Eight Days of Fake Marriage
⚠️ 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
Wilder arrives at Scottie’s apartment to pick her up for the eight-day couples’ camp in the Catskills. Scottie is visibly uncomfortable—she’s about to spend over a week with a stranger. Before getting in his lime-green Jeep, she subjects him to a rapid-fire interview. She learns that Wilder attended NYU, studied art (charcoal drawing), and created the successful Soda Tracker app, which he later sold. He now volunteers extensively—with Green Roofs in the City, animal shelters, and STEM programs—and avoids dating because people get “weird” about his wealth. He reveals he stays near New York because his friend Mika needs him, and Scottie understands that Mika has mental health struggles.
Once in the car, Scottie lays down the rules for their charade: they must never be split up, maintain a “united front,” and keep affection to hand-holding and pelvis-to-pelvis hugs (no kissing). She also forbids Wilder from using improv’s “yes, and” rule, because Chad—the coworker who called out her fake marriage—and his friends (the “Brads”) will be at the camp. They agree on a backstory: they are fighting because Wilder pressures her to travel for green-roof education while she wants to climb the corporate ladder. Wilder teases her about using Native deodorant, and Scottie concedes there might be some bonding after all.
Key Events
- Wilder picks up Scottie and helps with her luggage.
- Scottie conducts an on-the-spot interview about Wilder’s education, app, volunteering, and past relationships.
- Wilder reveals he created Soda Tracker, a Yelp-like app for soda ratings.
- He explains he volunteers daily because he feels restless after selling the app.
- Scottie learns that Wilder stays in New York to support Mika, strengthening her trust.
- Scottie outlines the trip rules: no “yes, and,” no being separated, limited physical contact.
- She discloses that Chad and the Brads from her office will also attend camp.
- The two finalize a fake marital conflict (green roof travel vs. corporate ambition).
- They discover they both use Native deodorant, a small step toward genuine connection.
Character Development
Wilder emerges as multifaceted: an artist, a successful entrepreneur, a devoted friend to Mika, and a restless soul who fills his time with volunteer work. His lighthearted teasing and willingness to submit to Scottie’s rules show he is both playful and respectful. Scottie reveals her anxiety and need for control; she methodically tests Wilder before trusting him. Her relief when he mentions Mika shows that loyalty matters to her. The chapter deepens both characters: Wilder’s vulnerability about his wealth and isolation, and Scottie’s strategic mind as she engineers the fake marriage cover story. Their shared deodorant choice and laughter over “crotch-to-crotch hugs” suggest the ice is cracking.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trust and Vetting: Scottie’s interview symbolizes her desire to verify that Wilder is not a threat. He passes by showing genuine care for Mika and honest answers.
- The Performance of a Relationship: The chapter explicitly frames the camp as a stage; Scottie’s rules (no kissing, hand-holding only) reveal marriage as a series of negotiated gestures.
- Wealth and Authenticity: Wilder’s money complicates his life; he hides his success to avoid being treated differently. His lime-green Jeep (utilitarian, not flashy) reflects his attempt to stay grounded.
- Friendship as Anchor: Wilder’s commitment to Mika grounds him in New York and makes him more trustworthy in Scottie’s eyes.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter sets the emotional and logistical framework for the entire camp arc. It establishes the key conflict (the need to maintain a convincing fake marriage while dealing with unwanted coworkers) and deepens Wilder’s characterization beyond the initial “rich guy” impression. Scottie’s rules and their collaborative backstory creation show that the fake relationship will require teamwork, vulnerability, and humor. The chapter also plants seeds for future tension: will Wilder’s playful nature break Scottie’s rigid rules? And how will Chad’s presence threaten their cover?
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Wilder refuse to leave New York for long periods?
He stays close to his friend Mika, who has mental health struggles and relies on Wilder for support. This revelation helps Scottie trust him.
2. What are the three main rules Scottie establishes for the camp trip?
They must not be separated (united front), show affection only through hand-holding and pelvis-to-pelvis hugs (no kissing), and Wilder is forbidden from using the improv rule “yes, and” because it might cause problems with Chad.
3. How do Wilder and Scottie decide to explain their marital conflict to the camp therapist?
They agree to frame it as a disagreement over life priorities: Wilder wants to travel to educate communities on green roofs, while Scottie wants to focus on climbing the corporate ladder for her own independence.