People Watching

That evening, Prue struggles to get her mother settled. When Julia finally falls asleep, Prue gets a text from Milo, asking about her day. Prue confesses that it was tough, but Milo assures her that she’s doing a great job and that her mother trusts her, which makes Prue feel better.

After exchanging more texts, Milo confesses that he’s drunk and sad. They meet at Prue’s house so that she can listen for distress from her mother. They get lost in kissing until Prue stops them. She can tell how upset Milo is and knows that he needs to talk.

After a lot of hesitation, Milo explains his parents’ abuse and how he doesn’t want to talk about it with Nik. Milo is still mad at Nik, who is the eldest, for leaving him and Nadia at home when they were younger. He’s equally mad at himself for leaving Nadia alone with their parents when he was old enough. Milo starts to cry, and Prue holds him as she realizes that this confident, somewhat arrogant man is “just a hurt boy at his core” (212).

For the next five days, Milo paints with Julia while Prue gets stuff done around the house. While Julia finishes her first painting in over two years, Prue catches up on chores and takes some time for herself. Milo also comes over at night, and the two continue to be intimate, though Prue has yet to pleasure Milo like he’s pleasured her.

One night, Prue gets distracted thinking about Milo leaving, wondering if she’ll ever find such an easy rapport with anyone else. To get herself out of it, she asks to pleasure him with her mouth, and Milo is shocked at how good it feels when she’s never done it before.

After nearly a week of spending time with Julia and being intimate with Prue, Milo feels like he has a home for the first time. Still, the secret he is keeping for Tom weighs on him. He tells Prue about everything he’s experienced and watches her smile at the idea of seeing things for herself.

During this time, Sef tells Milo about how much Nik needs closure regarding his childhood. She admits that she, not Nik, called the 1-1-9 to help him get through it so that he can be present for his kids. Milo promises to try to connect with Nik because he wants to help and be there for his family for the first time in years.

Later, Milo and Nik sit down for a beer and talk. Milo apologizes for being distant. He says that he wants to try to deal with the past, but it might take a while. Nik says that he understands and is sorry for leaving Milo and Nadia with their parents. He knows now that he made a mistake and recognizes that he doesn’t have to either stay angry with his parents or forgive them. Mostly, he finally understands that he has to feel and process his emotions because ignoring them will “just rot [him] from the inside out” (233). Nik is glad that Milo came back, which makes Milo realize that it’s where he wants to be, even if it is difficult.

The next few days are difficult for Prue’s mother. Though she isn’t up for doing art, Milo still comes by to help around the house, even though Prue tells him that he doesn’t have to. Before their next intimate night, Milo challenges Prue to turn him on by sexting before he comes over. She texts him a picture of her posing in a robe that drives him wild.

Next, he asks for a picture that she wouldn’t show anyone else, so she sends another of her posing on her bed, wearing only her bra and underwear. As the texts continue, Prue feels more emboldened and sends him one of her exposed backside, with her hair falling in waves. That picture convinces Milo to come over, and Prue shivers with anticipation.

Milo races to Prue’s room, where he falls to his knees and brings her to orgasm with his mouth. Prue is eager to have sex and pulls him toward her. Milo stops her so that he can take control and make sure it feels good. Agreeing, Prue goes limp, making Milo wonder if she will ever trust him with her heart like she trusts him with her body. Milo continues to touch her, and when Prue says she’s ready, he rolls on a condom.

Milo enters Prue slowly for the first time, talking her through the sensation. They just hold each other for a minute, feeling like the world has shifted somehow. Milo starts to move slowly, telling Prue to take anything she wants from him. While Prue knows he means sex, she can’t help but think it sounds “[l]ike he’d hand [her] his heart or soul if [she] asked him to” (252). As they continue more urgently, Prue says over and over that she is his. Afterward, they just stare at each other, and Prue can tell that they’re both trying not to confess love.

Milo knows that he is irrevocably in love with Prue and decides to stay in Baysville. When he tells Tom about this revelation, the man is upset because he knows that Prue will stay if Milo stays, and then she will be tied to taking care of him.

Milo again argues that Prue has a right to make her own choices, finally convincing Tom. He agrees to tell Prue about his cancer diagnosis after the opening-day party for the brewery. Milo agrees that this is a good idea, but he still feels impatient. He wants to tell Prue how he feels and how he’s willing to make a life with her, but he can’t until this secret is revealed. Tom closes the store for the day and gives everyone the day off.