Lily 2
Contains spoilers
Summary
- The chapter is titled "LILY 2" and takes place over November 25–29, 2018.
- Lily and Asher are in a tree house reflecting on their intimacy and banter about splinters.
- Lily feels euphoric and grateful for Asher's presence; they share an afghan blanket.
- The tree house, built by Asher's grandfather, is described with its various quirky features and nostalgia.
- Asher reminisces about his childhood playtime pretending to be a king with his sister Maya.
- Lily and Asher notice initials of previous visitors carved in the wood; Asher explains they belong to family members and a friend, Dirk.
- The couple jokes and reconnects intimately, with Lily feeling a profound emotional and physical connection to Asher.
- Asher shows vulnerability about his relationship with his father, whose absence has caused tension.
- Lily is keeping a secret about her own father and is afraid to reveal the truth to Asher.
- They plan to surprise Asher’s father by showing up at his home during a delayed Thanksgiving celebration called "Fieldsgiving".
- The next scene involves Lily practicing cello with Maya and discussing her relationship with Asher.
- Maya advises Lily on Asher's complicated feelings about his father, Braden Fields.
- Asher and Lily drive to his father's house for the surprise visit, discussing various unrelated topics to avoid the tense subject.
- Upon arrival, they spot Asher's father's family looking happy inside the house, which unsettles Asher.
- Without confronting them, Asher decides to leave and drives away with Lily, leaving his father to possibly recognize who came to the door.
- Later in the tree house, Asher expresses concern that he might inherit negative traits from his father, while Lily comforts him.
- Lily reveals her father is not dead as she previously implied, but rather a harmful presence she and her mother fled from.
- They continue to share tender moments, and Asher invites Lily to carve her initials next to his in the tree house as a symbol of their bond.
- The couple shares a contented moment, with Lily reflecting on what she is thankful for: being known and understood by Asher.