Over the following days, Veronica worries about her upcoming date with Jude. They continue texting throughout Jude’s absence. She debates whether to tell him the truth before he returns from Oregon, but sticks with her plan to surprise him on the night of their date. 

When Jude returns to town, Veronica tries to manufacture a run-in with Jude in the hallway or lobby. No matter how many times she leaves her apartment, they don’t encounter one another. When they finally do see each other, Veronica feels even more attracted to him now that she knows Friday and Jude are one and the same. She tries flirting, but Catalogs interrupts, asking Jude out for coffee. Jude turns her down, saying he’s already dating someone. He picks up a call from someone named Calliope, whom he addresses using a term of endearment.

Feeling embarrassed and confused, Veronica retreats to her apartment. She tells herself she let her feelings for Jude get out of hand, allowing Clara and Jordan’s excitement to propel her. She decides to let the whole thing go.

Veronica texts with Jordan and Clara about what happened during Jude’s phone call with Calliope and his claim to be dating someone. They urge her to ask Jude directly if he’s single. Veronica reminds them they already had this conversation and points out that Jude hasn’t accepted her friend request on social media yet. She’s decided to drop the issue because she’s afraid of getting hurt. Afterwards, Veronica sends Jude a curt email, forwarding her recent slide deck.

Jude texts Veronica about her slide revisions and confirms that they’re still on for Friday’s date. Veronica admits she’ll have to postpone, which confuses Jude.

Jude texts Veronica to check in, as she’s pulled away from him, and he wants to know if he offended her in some way. She explains that things are moving too fast. Jude tries to be understanding, leaving his offer for dinner or coffee open.

Jude feels disappointed when Veronica stops responding to his messages. He can’t understand what went wrong, realizing how much he was counting on their date. That weekend, Jason and his wife Kelly invite Jude over, and Adam invites him out for drinks, but Jude declines both offers, “not feeling particularly social” (76). Instead, he stays in watching basketball and eating takeout alone. When he checks his phone, he’s shocked to discover an Instagram request from Veronica.

On Friday night, Veronica stays in and watches Pride & Prejudice on repeat. When she hears a knock at the door, she’s shocked to find Jude outside calling her name. Self-conscious about her attire and appearance, Veronica hesitates to let him in. Then, she sees that Jude accepted her Instagram request and opens the door, tying a scarf around her neck to hide her outfit.

Inside, Veronica and Jude discuss what happened. Veronica admits she found out he was her neighbor the week prior but wanted to surprise him on their date. When he realizes she overheard his conversation with Catalogs in the lobby and his phone call with Calliope, he explains that Calliope is his niece. He assures her he is single and only told Catalogs he was seeing someone because he was hopeful their date would go well.

Jude and Veronica agree to go on their date after all. Jude returns to his apartment to get ready, marveling at the coincidence that Veronica is “the same beautiful neighbor” he’s “been wanting to ask out” (82). He had the impulse to kiss her before they parted ways, but Veronica made him wait. He feels his heart racing with excitement now.

Veronica races to get ready for her date with Jude, thankful she doesn’t have time to obsess over her appearance. After cleaning up, she meets Jude downstairs. On their way out of the building, they both admit that they’ve been interested in each other since Jude moved in.

Veronica is shocked and excited when she learns that Jude’s sister gave up her reservation at Cindy’s Rooftop for them. There, Veronica admires the views of the city and enjoys her romantic dinner with Jude. They share easy conversation, reminding them how much they have in common. Neither of them believes in love at first sight, but they think you can fall in love with a first kiss. They’re momentarily flustered when they discover they went to rival Big Ten schools. They joke about their future, agreeing to overcome this one flaw in each other for the sake of true love. When they finally kiss, Veronica doesn’t feel electric sparks, but she does feel curiosity, gentleness, and connection. Jude feels the same way. He takes Veronica’s hand and asserts that they have plenty of time to create a life together.