Chapter Nine: Tate – The Thanksgiving Truce
⚠️ 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
At her parents’ house for Thanksgiving, Tate is called to help when Miles arrives with a deep cut on his hand from grabbing a falling ladder to protect Corbin. Tate, a nurse, cleans the wound and decides it needs stitches. Miles refuses to go to the ER, so Tate performs an improvised suturing in the bathroom. During the procedure, their proximity triggers intense physical tension: Miles deliberately touches Tate’s knee, then slides his hand up her leg, and presses his forehead against her shoulder. When she finishes the last stitch, he pulls her close and kisses her passionately. The kiss is abruptly stopped by Miles, who says, “I shouldn’t have done that.”
At dinner, Corbin inadvertently reveals he has long believed Miles is gay because Miles once mentioned not being with a girl in over three years. This leads to awkward laughter and the clarification that it has actually been six years. Later that night, Tate finds Miles in the kitchen. He admits he hasn’t kissed anyone or had sex in six years, and confesses he is attracted to her but does not want love or a relationship—only sex. Tate agrees to a casual, no-strings arrangement. Miles proposes two rules: never ask about his past, and never expect a future. Tate counter-offers with a rule of her own, yet to be defined. They share another kiss, interrupted by Tate’s father. After Miles leaves, Tate senses fear in his expression and worries about how the arrangement will end.
Key Events
- Miles cuts his hand catching a falling ladder that would have hit Corbin.
- Tate stitches his wound in the bathroom while Miles begins touching her leg provocatively.
- Miles initiates a passionate kiss, then immediately pulls away and says he shouldn’t have done it.
- At Thanksgiving dinner, Corbin reveals he thought Miles was gay; Miles clarifies it has been six years since he was with a woman.
- Tate and Miles meet in the kitchen at midnight; Miles admits he wants sex without emotional attachment.
- They agree to a physical relationship governed by two rules: no questions about the past and no future expectations.
- Tate’s father catches them kissing; later Miles shows fear as he retreats to his room.
Character Development
Tate – Demonstrates nursing competence and emotional vulnerability. She rationalizes agreeing to a purely sexual arrangement because she craves Miles’ attention, but she internally doubts whether she can separate sex from feelings. Her “liquid” metaphor reveals her willingness to surrender control around him.
Miles – Begins to lower his guarded exterior. He admits to six years of celibacy and a desire for physical intimacy without love. His rules and his fear at the end signal deep trauma or unresolved pain from his past. The kiss shows he can be tender, but he immediately erects boundaries.
Corbin – Embodies a well-meaning but clueless brother. His assumption about Miles’ sexuality, though humorous, underscores how little he truly knows about his friend.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Control vs. Surrender – The chapter repeatedly contrasts Miles’ need for control (the rules, pulling back from the kiss) with Tate’s desire to “flow” and let go. The bathroom scene uses physical proximity and touch to illustrate the power struggle.
The Liquid Metaphor – Tate describes herself as “liquid” around Miles, unable to be firm or stand up for herself. This motif captures her loss of agency in the face of intense attraction.
Rules as Armor – Miles’ two rules (no past, no future) function as emotional shields, preventing intimacy from growing. They symbolize his fear of commitment or vulnerability.
Thanksgiving as False Normalcy – The holiday setting contrasts with the raw, secret deal struck in the kitchen, highlighting how the arrangement must be hidden from family.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point where the physical and emotional stakes of the relationship are openly defined. Miles’ confession of six years of celibacy and his blunt “I want you without any of that other stuff” establishes the central conflict: can two people maintain a purely physical connection when one of them (Tate) harbors hope for more? The creation of the rules codifies the tension that will drive the rest of the novel. Tate’s final observation of fear in Miles’ eyes foreshadows the pain that lies ahead.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Miles insist on the rule “Don’t ask about my past” and “Never expect a future”?
Miles wants to protect himself from emotional vulnerability. His six years of celibacy and his refusal to discuss his past suggest a traumatic experience (later revealed as the death of his brother and ex-girlfriend). The rules ensure that Tate cannot get close enough to hurt him or to demand a relationship.
2. How does the family dinner scene contribute to the chapter’s tension?
The dinner provides comic relief (the gay misunderstanding) while also exposing Miles’ isolated romantic history. It forces Tate to confront the reality that Miles has avoided intimacy for years, making her agreement to casual sex seem more reckless. The public setting contrasts with the private, secret deal they will make later.
3. What does the “liquid” metaphor reveal about Tate’s emotional state?
Tate describes herself as “liquid” to explain why she cannot resist Miles or assert her own boundaries. It shows that she is willingly submissive in the face of her desire, even though she fears the outcome. The metaphor also foreshadows her eventual inability to maintain emotional distance.