Life's Too Short

Vanessa and Adrian are going to dinner at Gerald’s house. To keep Grace safe from the unsafe conditions there, Vanessa leaves her with a neighbor. Vanessa wants to meet Adrian’s family, but he explains they moved to Nebraska. He shares that his father, Richard, who abandoned them, later reconciled with Adrian’s mother. Vanessa empathizes with Adrian but suggests he maintain a relationship with his mom and grandmother, proposing they visit for Christmas together. Reflecting on family, Vanessa impulsively proposes a “marriage pact,” asking Adrian to marry her when she turns 30. He thinks she’s joking and remains silent. Noticing her sadness, he asks if she’s okay, but Vanessa holds back and admits she’s been too focused on the future.

Sonja is helping Gerald clean up his house and address his hoarding issues while assisting him in finding work again. Vanessa and Adrian are amazed at the transformation of the living room and kitchen. Gerald hopes Grace can spend the night and that he has prepared baby supplies for her. During dinner with Brent and his boyfriend, Joel, they look through old family photo albums, evoking emotions in Vanessa as she shares the moment with Adrian. When Adrian leaves for the restroom, the group notes that he loves her, but Vanessa insists they are just friends. Their joyful evening is interrupted when the police call, reporting that Annabel has been shot and is hospitalized.

Adrian is in the hospital waiting room with Vanessa, Gerald, Brent, and Joel. Annabel was shot while attempting to break into her former home. She had stolen pills with her. The doctor informs them that her injuries aren’t life-threatening, and the surgery has closed the bullet wound. The family can’t see her because she’s under arrest. Adrian tells the surgeon he is Annabel’s attorney to guarantee she receives proper care, which he has witnessed before in situations like Annabel’s. Since she stole the car and crashed it, Annabel had been staying with Brent and Joel, but he kicked her out that morning and believes she should go to jail. He hopes it will serve as a wake-up call. Adrian explains that the trespassing charges will be dropped since Annabel recently lived there. He intends to get her into rehab instead of going to prison.

Adrian takes Vanessa home but wants to ask her to stay at his place so she won’t be alone. He will do whatever it takes to help Vanessa because he wants to be a part of her life and family. Vanessa has spoken to an attorney about adopting Grace to another family. Adrian is shocked because he thinks Vanessa wants to adopt her. Vanessa explains that this is what’s best for Annabel and Grace. Though Adrian knows he can’t intrude, he feels Grace is being stolen. He holds himself back from reaching out to Vanessa to hold and kiss her. She asks him for a “sleepover,” but he declines, knowing he can’t withhold his feelings for much longer. The next day is Vanessa’s birthday, and Adrian hardly sleeps. He sends her a birthday message at midnight. She invites him over, but he doesn’t respond.

Vanessa spent her birthday with her dad and Brent while Adrian watched Grace. While she was gone, he cleaned her apartment. Later, Adrian takes Vanessa out for a special night. They arrive at a historic home in St. Paul, and all of Adrian’s friends are there, including Sloan Monroe and her husband, Jason; Adrian’s cousin, Josh; and his wife, Kristen. Adrian even called Malcolm to be there to film content for the channel since Vanessa has been so busy. However, due to the nature of Adrian’s work, she decides she won’t use the content.

Vanessa loves being with Adrian’s friends and thinks about how normal they are compared to her family. Kristen jokes with Vanessa about the size of Adrian’s penis. She says Jason’s is large and wonders if it runs in the family. Vanessa says she’d like to conduct “further study,” but Adrian isn’t into her. Sloan and Kristen both argue that it’s the opposite and that Adrian can’t stop staring at or talking about her to Josh and Jason. Vanessa says her life “isn’t conducive to relationships” (222). Kristen assumes it’s because of her online fame, but Vanessa doesn’t tell them about her health concerns.

Adrian loves watching Vanessa with his friends. Josh and Jason say that Adrian and Vanessa should visit them in Ely, Montana, where they all live. Adrian says they’re not dating. Jason jokes that it’s good that Sloan ran out on her date with Adrian when Josh set them up since Adrian is such a charmer. Adrian explains that Vanessa doesn’t date, which Josh understands because Kristen said something similar when they met. Josh gestures toward the mistletoe by the door. Adrian wants to kiss Vanessa but not as a joke or a prank.

Vanessa is tipsy, and Adrian helps her out of the car. She asks him inside her apartment and turns off the lights to show him the glow-in-the-dark stars. Vanessa flirtatiously asks to see Adrian’s “six pack,” and he lets her touch his abs but stops her, claiming that they shouldn’t let things go too far. Adrian reaches for her hand, and she is excited that he is initiating touch with her. Vanessa thanks Adrian for making her birthday so special, and they both agree they’re lucky to have found each other. Adrian says that before Vanessa, his life was lonely and boring. Sensing he wants to kiss her, Vanessa impulsively kisses him, but he doesn’t kiss her back. Adrian doesn’t want to take advantage of Vanessa being drunk, but she interprets his reaction as not wanting her. Vanessa is embarrassed and asks Adrian to leave. He tries to get her to talk about it, but she insists he go.

Adrian watches Grace until Vanessa is sober. Becky comes over to catch up on work and takes Grace home. Adrian stays up most of the night replaying the incident. He texts Vanessa and asks if they can talk. She agrees, but he can tell she’s distant. Adrian is watching Grace that night, and they plan to speak before she leaves. However, when Adrian arrives at her apartment, Drake answers the door. Vanessa is dressed up, and they’re going to Vermillion, a fancy restaurant Adrian had wanted to take Vanessa to. By how Drake talks to and touches Vanessa, he can tell that they have a history, and Adrian is jealous.

Since Becky is a devoted fan, Adrian calls her to ask about Drake. Becky instantly becomes concerned, expressing that she had hoped Adrian and Vanessa would get together. She explains that Drake is a famous extreme sports vlogger sponsored by Quicksilver. He performs insane stunts and donates all his earnings to pediatric cancer research. Aside from being extremely attractive, he is adventurous, and when he and Vanessa were together, he was known for his over-the-top romantic escapades. The internet was invested in what Becky refers to as “the biggest YouTube romance of all time” (240) and was collectively heartbroken when they broke up. Adrian scours the internet, researching Vanessa and Drake and catching up on their epic love story. He convinces himself that his chance with Vanessa is over because Drake is her ideal match. Although Adrian loves Vanessa, he realizes he may have lost her.