Still in Rome’s arms, Janelle realizes that the entire wedding party is standing behind her sister. Amerie grows angrier when Evie apologizes for the interruption. The others try to calm Amerie down, and Rome refuses to answer her questions about how long he and Janelle have been involved. Amerie, furious, tells Janelle, “You’re a con artist. You really had me feeling bad for you and questioning my relationship when you told me Arnold tried to kiss you but you’re the one who’s a liar” (194). Christian, Dani, and Evie begin upbraiding Arnold for kissing Janelle as Amerie continues screaming that Janelle is lying. Janelle calmly tells Rome that Arnold did try to kiss her and that she slapped him to get away. When Amerie tries to argue that Janelle is duplicitous for hiding her relationship with Rome, Janelle asks everyone to leave so that she can confront her sister privately.

Amerie begins ranting that Janelle always wins: First she had Arnold, and now she has proven that she can win Rome too. Janelle tells her sister that while she cares about her, she can no longer accept poor treatment. Amerie admits to envying Janelle’s career success, confessing that her fashion line has failed. Janelle feels some empathy but tells her sister firmly that however much she has been struggling, her behavior was never acceptable. Amerie admits that her demands for the wedding were a warped desire to prove herself and that now even Arnold is furious with her: Arnold already told her the truth, saying that he only kissed Janelle out of frustration. Amerie explains that she assumed Janelle resented her for falling in love with Arnold, so she pushed Janelle away preemptively. Janelle looks at her sister, feeling both love and profound grief and anger.

Rome and the other groomsmen confront Arnold over his poor behavior with Janelle. Arnold apologizes and explains to Rome that he was hoping to get the wedding cancelled but has since realized that he still loves Amerie. Rome tells Arnold that he will find a way to keep Janelle from her family if that is what she needs to be happy. However, he will forgive Arnold if Arnold finds a way to make amends. 

Rome then goes to find Janelle and tells her, “I know it hurts right now but I am so fucking proud of you” (203). They have passionate sex in Janelle’s private pool area, and Rome is filled with joy. The next morning, Rome dresses for the ceremony while Janelle reads. He decides not to pressure her or intervene in her decision about whether to attend. He kisses her goodbye and promises to bring cake. 

Rome is relieved to find Arnold happy and content. Arnold indicates that he and Amerie have resolved whatever was keeping them at odds. He also takes Rome aside to thank him for his blunt honesty and expresses support for his relationship with Janelle. Rome watches as Janelle comes down the aisle, having decided to attend the wedding after all. After the ceremony and exchange of vows, Janelle explains that she “did it for [herself]” so that she will have the positive memory if she and her sister ultimately reconcile (207). At the reception, Janelle gives a moving toast to the happy couple, focusing on Amerie’s heart and devotion to Arnold. Rome is delighted when Janelle kisses him in front of the guests.

Later, Janelle and Rome tease each other about whose toast was more emotionally powerful. Janelle has relaxed now that her sister and Arnold have left for the night. As they dance together, Rome asks Janelle about her future plans. She tells him she is going to call and set up building space for Labor of Love, her health center; she also hopes to keep seeing a new man in her life, if he has time for her. Rome tells her that when they return to Baltimore, he wants to take her on an official date. Janelle asks if she is still supposed to agree to all of his offers, and when he assures her that it is up to her, she says, “[W]ell. In that case […] yes” (210).

The epilogue opens roughly one year after Amerie and Arnold’s wedding. Janelle and Rome reluctantly break a passionate embrace so that she can leave for work on time. They now share a home, and Labor of Love is launching in a month: Janelle convinced Rome to sell her the building rather than make it a gift. Janelle gets a text from Amerie asking if she wants to meet for lunch. While their relationship is better after some joint therapy, Janelle decides to keep her distance. She and her mother see each other only on holidays.

That night, Rome’s nephew Kam calls them both after dinner. He alludes to Rome completing a mysterious task, and Rome ends the call before Kam can explain further. He asks Janelle to test his new video game, which is a dating simulation called Only For the Week. Janelle creates a character and discovers that the only available love interest is a man named Rome who resembles her boyfriend. The characters pass through relationship milestones until the digital “Rome” proposes, at which point a menu asking about continuing the game pops up. Janelle asks Rome if there is a glitch only to turn and see him kneeling and holding an engagement ring. She enthusiastically accepts, telling him, “You are the one person I trust most with all my yeses. So of course I’ll give you this one too” (218).