Problematic Summer Romance

The next day, Maya overhears Conor and Tamryn on a stressful call with their lawyer. Conor’s siblings are threatening to sue Tamryn because they don’t feel they inherited enough after their father died. Maya laments about Conor’s situation with Eli, and it makes her appreciate her brother. She almost can’t believe the loving parents she knew were distant to Eli, and she realizes that “if they hadn’t died, Eli and I would still be strangers” (201).

In a flashback to Scotland, Maya receives a package and card from Conor. He apologizes for leaving but says it was for the best and tells her to call him if she needs anything. The package contains a bread maker, and Maya remembers an offhanded comment she made about liking fresh bread. Conor keeps sending gifts to keep up the charade of Maya having a rich boyfriend. One day, Maya decides to call him to just talk, knowing it’s not what he meant by “needing” anything. After thanking him for the gifts, the conversation works around to the orgasm Maya had in his hotel room.