That evening, Cassia is distracted from her reading by the firm’s rowdy gathering outside. Ellis seeks her out and invites her to join them, teasing her about reading The Secret Garden and revealing that Daniel brought good wine. Cassia joins the gathering, agreeing to do mushrooms with them. Around the fire, everyone introduces themselves and welcomes Cassia. They are warm and funny, and Cassia notices Ellis and Daniel’s close relationship. She is also surprised when Ellis’s colleagues reveal his innate aptitude for horticulture. He didn’t study the trade and learned everything from Daniel. She reminds herself that he is too young for her and that Daniel is finally in her life, yet she finds herself gripping Ellis’s hand.

Cassia and Ellis end up back in Cassia’s yurt. Feeling warm and relaxed from the mushrooms and wine, Cassia finds herself opening up to Ellis about her mother. He is sympathetic and understanding. She notes that this is the first time she’s revealed this information to anyone besides Marcella, wondering if it matters as much as she thought it did. When she asks Ellis for his story, he reveals that he had a happy childhood but that he married his high school sweetheart as a teenager and got divorced a few years later.

The next day, Cassia runs into Daniel while on a solo hike in Joshua Tree National Park. Amid their conversation, Daniel reveals that he grew up in Britain and was adopted. His adoptive parents both died in a car accident not long ago. He then sought out his birth parents, discovering for the first time that his Korean last name is Nam. He only recently added it to his name. He moved to California for school some time ago and has been here ever since. Cassia commiserates with his family situation, revealing that her father left when she was a baby and that her mother died when she was a child. After they part ways, Cassia muses on their connection.

Cassia runs into the Watson and Associates firm again at a sound bath. Gradually relaxing while listening to the music, Cassia feels as if she is turning into a ghost. Then she realizes that she is in someone’s past life and wakes herself up. Ellis remarks on her taking a nap, but she insists otherwise. They kiss goodbye.

Alone later, Cassia finds herself comparing Ellis and Daniel. She knows that she needs “to end things with Ellis” as soon as possible (117).

Cassia wakes to flowers and a card from Ellis. She creeps into his yurt and breaks up with him, underscoring their age difference and her desire to settle down. A disappointed Ellis gracefully lets her go.

Cassia returns home to find Marcella on her doorstep. They pour wine, and Cassia updates her on what happened at Joshua Tree. Marcella is understanding of Cassia’s choice but sympathizes with Ellis. Cassia reiterates her desire to have children and reminds Marcella of what happened to her mother, admitting that she has always blamed herself. Evette rebelled against her family, refusing to be with her fated and marrying Cassia’s father, who left the family because he didn’t want to be a parent. Cassia has always believed that Evette had the aneurysm because of the stress of raising Cassia alone. If Evette had married her fated, she might still be alive. Marcella argues the point, but Cassia insists that she and Daniel must get together, even if she still has feelings for Ellis. Finally, she admits that she hasn’t told her family about Daniel yet because she is still adjusting to his presence in her life.

The following week, Cassia arranges a lunch with her family and tells them about Daniel. Everyone exclaims at the news, insisting on arranging a meet-cute so that the two can start their relationship. They all agree that Cassia should invite him to the LACMA event.

On Saturday, Cassia and Marcella take their bike ride at the park, where they run into Ellis and Daniel. They share an awkward exchange before Marcella privately urges Cassia to invite Daniel to LACMA. A hesitant Cassia gives in and asks him, explaining her business and the event. They exchange contact information, and Daniel agrees to come.

On the night of the event, Cassia gets ready with her family. The women discuss Cassia’s future and her desire to have children. Before heading out to the event, Halmoni hugs Cassia, insisting that she is ready to plan her wedding.

Cassia and her family arrive at the event, welcoming Gemma Flores and their other guests. When Daniel arrives, he and Cassia share a pleasant, flirtatious exchange. Throughout the evening, she keeps her eye on him, hoping that he doesn’t find another woman he’s interested in at the event. When they reconvene, Cassia finds herself revealing that she is interested in him and a serious relationship. At 42, Daniel insists that he wants a committed relationship, too.

Later during the event, Cassia introduces Daniel to Halmoni. Cassia is surprised by her grandmother’s tepid response. Afterward, Cassia and Daniel agree to spend the rest of the evening perusing the galleries together. They talk more about relationships and art, opening up about their work and beliefs about love.

At the office on Monday, Cassia tries to get through a slow day while reflecting on Halmoni, Emoni, and Sunny’s visit late last night. They stopped over to pester Cassia about Daniel.

After some readings, Cassia meets with Halmoni about the future of the company. She wants to move the business online and establish a social media presence, but Halmoni is worried about exposing family secrets.

Cassia and Marcella meet up for lunch and talk about Ellis and Daniel. Cassia insists that Ellis will be fine without her because they weren’t dating and he is so young. Marcella challenges her, wondering if she is being too rigid about Daniel.

Back at the office, Cassia discovers a missed call from Daniel and sends him a text response. They make plans to get dinner that Sunday, as Cassia is babysitting Marcella’s children on Saturday.

On Saturday, Cassia takes Ozzie and Mica “to Echo Park Lake to ride the swan paddleboats” (168). She gets distracted when a dog charges in front of her, with Ellis and an attractive young woman chasing after it. Ellis introduces the woman as Avery, the dog’s trainer. Cassia introduces him to Marcella’s children. Afterward, she and the children get into the boats. Cassia is distracted, watching Ellis and Avery on shore, and Mica falls out of the boat and injures himself. Ellis jumps into the water and brings him to shore.