Chapter 27: Rhys – Promo, Playfulness, and a Kiss
⚠️ 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
Rhys is alone in the basement, preparing to film a wrestling promo for his character Wild Side, while his cat Cleo watches judgmentally. He needs to challenge his opponent, Will (Million Dollar Bill), to a match at the Pure Pandemonium event. Tabitha returns home early after dropping Milo with her parents. She interrupts the recording, then offers to help, adjusting the lighting and using her phone to capture better footage. Rhys delivers a threatening promo aimed at “Little Willy.” After the take, Tabitha playfully snatches his mask, puts it on, and takes a selfie. Rhys chases her and catches her on the stairs, pulling her onto his lap. They share an intense, spontaneous kiss.
Key Events
- Rhys begins filming a promo while Cleo sits on his bed, purring and watching.
- Tabitha returns home earlier than expected and interrupts the recording.
- She criticizes the lighting and camera quality, then offers to record the promo on her phone.
- Tabitha adjusts the scene and zooms in during the take to improve the visual.
- Rhys delivers his promo, threatening his opponent with a loss at Pure Pandemonium.
- Afterward, Tabitha praises the performance and asks to help again in the future.
- She grabs Rhys’s mask, puts it on, and snaps a selfie with his phone.
- Rhys chases her, catches her on the stairs, and they kiss.
Character Development
Rhys shows vulnerability by allowing Tabitha into his professional world—something he has never done before. He feels anxious about merging his personal life with his work, but her genuine interest and support disarm him. For the first time, he thinks of himself as part of a “we,” signaling a shift in how he views their fake marriage.
Tabitha continues to be playful and supportive. She treats Rhys’s wrestling career with excitement rather than mockery, which surprises and delights him. Her willingness to help and her physical closeness during the mask scene reveal her own growing attraction and comfort with Rhys.
Their dynamic moves from antagonistic to intimate, with the kiss representing a significant emotional and physical boundary crossed.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Public vs. Private Identity: Rhys’s struggle to keep his wrestling persona separate from his real life is challenged when Tabitha becomes part of the process. The mask serves as a symbol of that divide, which she literally wears.
- Vulnerability and Trust: By letting Tabitha film the promo, Rhys places trust in her. His earlier hesitation reflects his fear of judgment and exposure.
- Playfulness as Connection: The chase and mask theft are playful but charged with sexual tension. This lighthearted moment paves the way for the kiss, showing how fun can deepen their bond.
- Family First: Rhys’s priority remains Milo’s safety and privacy, even as he grows closer to Tabitha.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Rhys and Tabitha’s relationship. The kiss is the first real physical move beyond their performative public affection, confirming that their feelings are genuine. It also deepens the thematic merging of Rhys’s professional and personal life, as Tabitha becomes an enthusiastic participant in his wrestling world. The scene foreshadows further complications as they continue to blur the lines of their arrangement.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Rhys initially hesitate to let Tabitha help record the promo?
He has never merged his personal and professional worlds before. Allowing her into this part of his life makes him feel vulnerable and shy, especially since he is used to acting in front of strangers, not someone he cares about. -
How does Tabitha improve the quality of the promo recording?
She adjusts the basement lighting by turning on additional lights and moving a lamp. She also uses her phone instead of the laptop camera, giving her the ability to zoom in and frame the shot better—skills she developed from making aesthetic food videos for the bistro. -
What is the symbolic significance of Tabitha wearing Rhys’s mask?
The mask represents Rhys’s wrestling identity, which he usually keeps separate from his personal life. By putting it on, Tabitha literally steps into that world, symbolizing her acceptance and integration into both sides of who he is. The playful act also breaks down the barrier between his two identities, making room for genuine intimacy.