Jia and Gabe come over to help Dani choose an outfit for the family dinner. Before dinner, Dani works a shift at Daisies, her aunt’s store, and selects flowers to take as a hostess gift. When Levi arrives to pick her up, his handsomeness distracts her, and she can’t believe this is the third time she’s seen him in one week after not speaking for years.

Dani’s bag is heavy with an assortment of items, including a sewing kit, that she’s brought to help Levi’s family with things they mentioned the previous day. Levi carries the heavy bag and stares at Dani, remarking that she “perplexes” him.

The dinner goes smoothly, and Dani enjoys being back with Levi’s family. His mother, Trish, thanks Dani for the flowers and proclaims that she’s thrilled they’re together at last. Trish reveals that Levi has published a poetry collection in French. Dani knows that becoming a published author has always been a dream for Levi, and she congratulates him and squeezes his leg. He responds by touching her hand.

Gabe texts to check in, and he tells Dani to leave her purse at the house as a test. If Levi likes her, then he’ll return the purse the next day. He threatens to tell Levi an embarrassing secret about Dani if she doesn’t comply. Dani resists because she’s certain that Levi only sees her as a friend, but to appease Gabe, she leaves the purse. At her house, Levi walks her to the door, and Dani asks him if the love poems are about Bella. Levi says yes, and to Dani, it feels “equivalent to a rejection” (72).

The next morning, Dani awakens feeling almost hungover from all the emotions she experienced the previous night. She picks up bagels on her way to her senior design class, where they’re working on completing their senior projects. Though her classroom is well stocked, Dani prefers to use her own sewing kit, a gift from her father. However, when she arrives in class, she realizes that the sewing kit is in the bag she intentionally left at Levi’s house. Just as she panics about how far behind she’ll get if she has to leave class to retrieve it, she looks up to see Levi standing in the doorway.

Dani meets Levi outside, fully aware that her classmates are watching since she’s already told them about him. He tells her that he called her mother to find out where she was so that he could deliver the bag. Dani smiles internally, knowing that this will make Gabe happy. Dani thanks him for going out of his way to help her, and he says that he grabbed the chance to see where his “friend” attends college. Dani notices the word “friend.” Levi is on his way to substitute teach for one of his professors.

Levi asks Dani to tailor his wedding suit. Dani claims that she’s not a professional, and Levi interrupts her, calling her by her nickname “Daisy” and reminding her that she’s qualified for the job. They plan to meet on Friday for the fitting, but Dani already has plans to watch Jia on a date. After she explains to Levi that she and her friends watch each other from a distance on dates in case they need “rescuing,” he offers to join her. Dani notices that all the other women in her class are listening at the door.

Over dinner with Jia and Gabe, Dani recaps the purse story. Gabe is certain that it’s a good sign, paired with the fact that Levi is choosing to spend his Friday night with her. Dani knows that Levi prefers spending a night in with his family and friends because that’s what he did in high school.

Dani is working on post-graduate applications. Her first choice is the Lazaro School of Design in New York, but finishing the application is proving challenging. She’s stuck on a question about “a pivotal time in [her] life that sparked growth” (89-90). Dani’s friends and her academic advisor, Ethan, assume that she’ll write about her father’s death, but Dani hasn’t yet decided if she can find the words.

Dani meets weekly with a group of friends who formed a club to discuss celebrity fashion. Levi picks her up after the meeting ends. It’s pouring rain, and he gives her his jacket. At the restaurant, while they wait for Jia and her date to arrive, Levi shares that he’s only pursuing the New York Times job to help his mother financially. Dani loves how much he cares for his family.

Jia’s date goes well, despite Dani criticizing his clothing choice for a first date. Levi wonders what the guy should have worn, and Dani describes Levi’s exact outfit. She becomes horribly embarrassed, feeling as though it’s impossible for Levi not to notice her feelings for him. Levi admits to not dating often. Dani fears that she’s enjoying being with Levi too much and worries about what will happen when they return to her house later.

Dani’s mother and aunt aren’t home, and she invites Levi to her room to try on his suit. Levi looks incredible in the blue suit, and measuring and pinning it is an intimate process that gives her butterflies. Levi asks about her graduate applications, and she explains that Ethan suggested she change her last name to her mother’s since her mother is a famous designer. Dani had initially been resistant to using her mother’s clout, hoping to stand on her own merit, but now she’s considering taking Ethan’s advice. Levi disagrees and vehemently thinks that she should remain true to herself.

Levi reveals that in high school, he was sent to detention for punching Jack Huntington after Jack said unkind things about Dani. He says that he would’ve done the same for his sisters, which leaves Dani crestfallen, being thrown into the same category as his siblings.

Levi suggests that they go to the Met together on Sunday afternoon “for inspiration.” Dani can’t say no to spending more time with him.

Dani and Levi’s conversation on the trip to the Met is lighthearted and fun. When they arrive, though, they see a father and daughter together, and the sight moves them both to tears. Levi confesses that there’s not a day that passes when he doesn’t think about his father’s absence. Dani wonders, “Could I live like that forever? Waiting for my heart to catch up with reality?” (115).

Levi leads Dani by the hand to a painting entitled The Love Letter, which he says reminds him of her. Dani explains that she’s recently struggled to feel creatively inspired, and Levi encourages her to sit and sketch, something he’s always enjoyed watching her do. He also reminds her of how she used to watch Audrey Hepburn movies for classic fashion inspiration.

Sarah’s fiancé’s father is hosting a ball in the wedding couple’s honor, and Levi asks Dani to be his date. She asks if Bella will attend, and Levi says yes. Though this makes her sad, she accepts, claiming that it will give them another opportunity to prove to Bella that they’re together.