Chapter 20 - ALLIE
Summary
Allie endures two days of silent treatment from Dean following his aborted proposal attempt before agreeing to visit a Soho club with costars Trevor, Seraphina, Malcolm, and Elijah for distraction. When Dean notices her preparing to leave, he abruptly ends his silence to confront her about asking Allie’s father for permission, a detail she had not known. At the club, after dismissing unproductive messages from Hannah, Allie receives relationship advice from Seraphina regarding their differing timelines for engagement and marriage. The conversation prompts Allie to reconsider her rigid expectations and realize Dean may view engagement as a necessary step for security. She texts Dean, who reveals he is in Newark with Garrett and Logan at the Azure Tower hotel. Upon learning that Elijah’s family owns the hotel chain, Allie recognizes an opportunity to locate him immediately.
Characters
- Allie — Endures two days of silent treatment from Dean before seeking distraction at a club with costars. Receives relationship advice regarding engagement timelines that prompts her to reconsider her rigid expectations and realize she may be prioritizing her own planning over his emotional needs. Decides to locate him after learning his location through a mutual acquaintance.
- Dean — Maintains a two-day silent treatment following an aborted proposal attempt before abruptly ending it when he spots Allie preparing to leave. Reveals he asked her father for permission, shocking her with the detail. Later texts from Newark to confirm he is staying at a hotel owned by Elijah’s family.
- Trevor — Invites Allie to a Soho club and insists on treating the group to an expensive champagne bucket. Defends Dean's character during a debate about human fallibility and questions why she would refuse his proposal despite being in love with him.
- Seraphina / Sera — Sits beside Allie to offer perspective on their relationship conflict, using a ladder analogy to explain that milestone spacing is flexible and not strictly sequential. Helps Allie recognize that Dean may view engagement as a necessary step for security rather than just impulsivity.
- Malcolm — Jokes about Dean's perfection and physically mimics Tom Cruise before reacting with awe to Seraphina's relationship advice. Serves as comic relief during the group's discussion while remaining seated on the booth bench.
- Hannah — Sends a series of unproductive texts regarding her pregnancy status and the couple's reconciliation, ultimately siding with Dean by pointing out that Allie hurt and embarrassed him. Her monosyllabic responses highlight the ongoing tension surrounding both relationships.
- Elijah — Tags along with Malcolm to the club and brags about his father owning a chain of upscale hotels. Reveals that his family owns the Azure Tower in Newark, inadvertently providing Allie with the means to locate Dean immediately.
- Garrett / G — Plays hockey for the New Jersey Devils alongside Logan and Dean during their Newark trip. His presence is noted only through a text message regarding their hotel stay.
- Logan — Accompanies Garrett and Dean to play the New Jersey Devils in Newark. Stays with them at the Azure Tower while on a road trip.