Viola and Jesse eat breakfast by the window in his room. He reveals that he has watched her at conferences over the years, including noticing how she eats. The admission moves Viola. She shares that her family constantly comments on her food choices. Jesse calls this intrusive and tells her she is perfect.

Viola asks if Jesse and Ashley ever dated. He says no and tells her he has not dated much lately due to work on his game, Zephyr’s Blade. Viola admits that she has avoided workplace relationships but thinks it could work with the right person who understands the industry. Jesse agrees.

They learn that the snow will continue, and the slopes are closed. Viola privately thinks being snowed in would not be bad. Jesse undresses Viola and performs oral sex on her, and then she reciprocates. Afterward, they shower together in Jesse’s bathroom and bring each other to orgasm again in the shower.

Jesse asks Viola to braid her hair in a French braid. As she works on her hair, he proves that he remembers specific details from a conference three years ago, including what she wore on the second day. Viola realizes that Jesse, not his former boss, selected her resume for their initial interview. He confirms this and praises her talent.

Viola asks if the Limerence 3 collaboration between FlyButter and Nephilim will work. Jesse confidently says yes and reveals that he has wanted to work with her since seeing her portfolio. 

At dinner, Viola realizes that Jesse stares at her too obviously and worries that their relationship might be seen as a liability for the project. The group, including her coworker Ethan, discusses being potentially snowed in and debates having a movie marathon. Viola leaves dinner early, saying she is tired and has a headache, and Ethan questions her about it. She takes mango juice upstairs and overhears Otto offering to play a video game with Jesse. Jesse declines the offer.

Despite agreeing earlier to wait to have sex until they return to Seattle and buy condoms, Viola and Jesse decide to have unprotected sex. They have sex and fall asleep exhausted, with Viola on Jesse’s chest.

The next morning, they wake cuddling and have sex again. Afterward, he admits that he fantasized about being with her all the time. Viola asks about the Limerence books, and Jesse explains that a friend recommended them about three years ago to help him process feelings for someone he could not pursue. He read all the books in less than a week and immediately reread them.

Viola shares that her father read the Limerence series to her when she was young. Later, when he was ill, she read the books back to him. He has since died, making the game project deeply personal. Discussing her design work, Viola realizes she has been sidelining one of the game’s main characters, Noham, to spare the other, Aqualuna, from future grief, but this makes Aqualuna feel flat. Her willingness to love Noham is essential.

Mike knocks on Jesse’s door and asks if Jesse has seen Viola. She hides under the covers. Mike confirms they will leave at five o’clock if the roads are accessible. After Mike leaves, Viola and Jesse feel heavy about returning to normal life. As she tries to leave to pack, Jesse pulls her back and kisses her intensely.

On the ride back to Seattle, Otto is more social, and Ashley sleeps. They stop for a bathroom break, and Jesse buys black coffee for himself and Swedish Fish for Viola.

They reach the company parking lot late at night. Viola’s phone is dead, and her car is dusted with snow. The others are already there, and Mike approaches their car. He tells Viola that StarPlay, the publisher, called and approved the collaboration with Nephilim. Viola and Jesse are named co-lead designers on Limerence 3. Viola tears up, thinking of her father.

As coworkers say their goodbyes, Ethan tells Viola he does not need a ride because he is going to a friend’s place. Viola realizes she does not have Jesse’s phone number, and her phone is dead. Jesse writes something down, giving her his home address instead of his number, suggesting that she come with him rather than call. Viola mentions her idea of adding a game route where Aqualuna and Noham break the curse and end up together. Jesse reveals that he was thinking the exact same thing. Viola decides to leave with Jesse.

The bonus chapter is told from Jesse’s perspective and depicts his first encounter with Viola.

While reviewing job applications for a junior developer position, Jesse comes across Viola’s portfolio and is immediately captivated by her originality and creative talent. He pushes to include her among the interview candidates despite his boss Kevin’s dismissive, sexist attitude. In the days leading up to the interview, Jesse finds himself revisiting her portfolio repeatedly and half-dreading that a better company will hire her first.

When Viola arrives for the interview, Jesse is struck by her appearance and mentally imagines an entire future with her within moments of shaking her hand. His excitement quickly gives way to frustration as Kevin makes blatantly sexist remarks that derail the interview. Viola walks out. Jesse follows her into the lobby to apologize and directs her toward FlyButter, a competing studio, knowing it would be a better fit for her.

During their brief conversation outside, Jesse is drawn further in by Viola’s sharp wit and candor. He impulsively asks her out for coffee, and she declines without realizing he asked her on a date. They part, and Jesse watches her leave, quietly setting aside the feeling that she could have been something significant.