A Not So Meet Cute

“There’s a fat chance in hell that our yard would ever be noticed. The beautification committee is made up of a bunch of rich snobs who would never look across the street.”“There’s a fat chance in hell that our yard would ever be noticed. The beautification committee is made up of a bunch of rich snobs who would never look across the street.”

Lottie’s tone conveys her bitterness against upper-class people, a trait that exists as a result of the people she’s been around. She was teased in school for being in a lower socioeconomic class than many of her classmates, and even Angela’s friendship became more unpleasant as they grew up, causing Lottie to become embittered against anyone wealthy. Here, she recognizes that her mother’s boyfriend, Jeff, works hard, but that his efforts won’t be recognized because he doesn’t have the resources that other people in their neighborhood have. Her suspicions prove partially true, as Jeff only wins the prize because the wealthy Huxley intervenes and asks the committee to look at his garden.

“Something would come. Anything would come. Nothing came. Absolutely zero opportunities. I became desperate. Student loans were knocking at my door, responsibility was flooding around my feet.”

Lottie uses a series of short, repetitive sentences to express her frustration and to communicate the speed with which her situation (and hope) deteriorated, ending with a metaphor that implies she’s at risk of drowning. Her feelings here help explain why she acts in the way she does later (e.g., wandering wealthy areas to find a rich partner) and why she is tempted to accept Huxley’s offer to pay her bills. She is desperate and without options.

“At the age of thirty-five, you’d think I’d have the ability to stay more…calm, but that wasn’t the case. The pressure got to me. Maybe it’s because I feel the need to be the best. […] Money shouldn’t be a motivator, but hell, the prestige of it is.”

This narration serves as indirect characterization of Huxley. He is shown to be a terse, sometimes scathing individual with no time for niceties, but he’s also aware of how his inability to stay calm affects his relationships with others, implying that he can be self-reflective and even self-critical. He is preoccupied with being the “best,” which explains why he is sometimes unrelatable and unlikeable in his interactions with Lottie, and he is also drawn to The False Allure of Wealth. He believes the prestige will offer him satisfaction, but Lottie will change his mind.

“She’s spunky, outspoken, unlike any girl I’ve met, that’s for sure. And she’s right. I should be scared. She seems to have the kind of tenacity that would bring a man to his knees, but she also is a qualified candidate for what I’m looking for, and I’m three days away from a dinner date. I’m willing to roll the dice.”

This quote foreshadows Huxley’s growing sexual and romantic interest in Lottie, whom he instantly perceives as the type of woman he likes. However, he is focused on business at this point, which also shows how he formulates business plans and thinks on the fly. He acknowledges that deals sometimes entail risks, which he is willing to take to get what he wants.

“Ultimately, this is another situation where a rich person gets what they want by using a poor person. […] ‘I know this is going to sound prideful, but I’m not sure I should be taking handouts right now. I need to figure out what I’m doing with my life.’”

Lottie reveals two things about her character. The first relates to her prejudice against rich people, as she assumes they will always use poorer people to get what they want before discarding them—like Angela did to her. The second is her independence. Even a perfect deal that satisfies everything she wants bothers her because she wants to feel capable. Accepting “handouts” reinforces her worry that she’s unable to solve her own issues or accomplish what others around her do.

“[Lottie’s] face goes white, and in this moment, I do feel slightly bad. It’s obvious Lottie is going through a hard time, and I watched her struggle with her conscience in Chipotle as she tried to figure out what to do. Respected that. But I don’t have time for her to figure it out, and honestly, I don’t feel bad enough to end the farce. Especially since I’m in deeper shit than she is.”

This shows how self-absorbed Huxley is at the beginning of the novel, setting him up for character development. He is a multifaceted individual, particularly compared to Angela, as he is able to recognize and empathize with Lottie’s internal conflict; however, even with his privileges, he still sees his own problems as worse and doesn’t feel “bad enough” to stop manipulating her.

“Her teeth roll over the corner of her mouth as she says, ‘Well, I’d be working with my sister, out of my mom’s house, could stick it to Angela, my student loans are paid off, and every time it rains, I have a place where I can lie in the rain without judgment.’”

Lottie describes her “perfect world” when Huxley asks what she would need in exchange for pretending to be his fiancée. Some of her needs are practical, such as being employed, housed, and having her loans paid off. Her desire to get revenge on Angela underscores that the insecurity Angela has caused her is a major source of internal conflict, while her request for a place to lie in the rain free of judgment reveals a more carefree sincerity to her; together, the requests support her characterization as a round character with a complex array of motivations.

“This is business. Take the emotion out of it. It’s either a good financial deal or a bad deal. It either benefits you financially or it doesn’t. If it’s not a viable business decision, move on.”

Huxley further depicts himself as business-oriented and emotionally distant here, implying how restrictive his life is. Constantly focused on professional and financial advancement, he never has the time or capacity to engage with others and develop a satisfying social or romantic life. This mindset is off-putting to Lottie, who speaks her mind and acts in a way that satisfies her emotional needs, and it sets their relationship up to change significantly throughout the novel.

“Guilt swarms me, because she’s right. […] I glance over at her. She’s closed off; there’s nothing I can say right now that will penetrate the wall she’s erected, so instead of trying to deliver some half-hearted apology, I stay silent for the rest of the car ride, stewing in my own thoughts and reliving the night.”

This is the first time when Huxley is nearly inspired to act on his feelings. He and Lottie have just fought following their dinner with Dave and Ellie, and despite Lottie’s efforts, Huxley still felt the need to criticize her. While the various components of business deals can be critiqued and altered, Lottie is a person with the capacity to be hurt, something Huxley forgets. He also doesn’t yet understand that trying to apologize, even when Lottie acts distant, is important. Because of this, he remains silent, further solidifying Lottie’s belief that she hates him.

“‘I belong to you and you belong to me until our obligations are fulfilled within our agreement. Do you understand?’ His words pierce me, their meaning strong, poignant. There’s no one else he’ll be looking at, no one he’ll be fucking until our agreement is up, that’s what he’s telling me, and it shouldn’t have any effect on me. But for some reason, it sends a chill down my spine, an ice-cold chill.”

This is the moment when Huxley and Lottie’s business arrangement becomes threatened by their sexual attraction to one another, even though they dislike each other as people. Lottie has trust issues and has frequently been made to feel inferior or unimportant, as when her ex-boyfriend left her for Angela. Someone emphasizing that she is the sole focus of their attention is deeply impactful for her, and it opens her up psychologically to the possibility that Huxley would be a good sexual partner.

“‘[F]rom where I sit, you’re looking pretty cushy at the moment. […] [Y]ou have your college loans paid for, you don’t need to worry about any expenses, and you were granted a chance to live with a businessman who’s a wealth of knowledge. […] It’s not easy to lower your guard, see this incredible opportunity at your feet, and be grateful?’ she asks. ‘Because if I were in your position, that’s exactly what I would be.’”

This is a turning point for Lottie, who has made efforts to be considerate—such as including Kelsey and her business in the deal with Huxley—but has mostly been motivated by her own needs and vendettas. Believing that Lottie has ruined their business meeting with the Cane brothers, Kelsey points out how self-absorbed Lottie has been. Kelsey pays her own bills, lives on her own, and runs her own small business, so she is forced to be self-sustaining in a way that Lottie currently isn’t, even if she might want to be. This forces Lottie to reassess her situation and try to be more grateful.

“There’s no humor, no anger, just…nothing…to her personality. It’s almost as if the bath she just took washed away any remnants of the Lottie I’ve come to know over the past few days. The spice is gone. The hatred is gone. The arguing is nowhere to be seen. She’s hollow. Did I do that to her?”

In the aftermath of Lottie’s argument with Kelsey, Lottie is withdrawn and emotionally drained. The sisters’ bond is obviously strong and deeply important to Lottie, whose reaction indicates that she recognizes that she has harmed her sister emotionally and possibly financially. This also becomes an opportunity for character development for Huxley, who suddenly realizes that he misses the outspoken, lively aspects of Lottie’s personality. Though they sometimes frustrate him, they are essential to why he has grown to enjoy her presence.

“‘Karla apologized for taking so long to get back to me with rescheduling, because she and Huxley spent the rest of the day on the phone making arrangements for not only the victims themselves but also the families of the victims.’ Kelsey leans forward and says, ‘Apparently he personally called every one of them.’”

Kelsey and Lottie discover the real reason their meeting with the Cane brothers was canceled—there was a fire at one of the worksites, and Huxley wanted to make sure everyone was okay. Lottie has originally viewed Huxley’s swift exit as an indication of how unlikeable he is, which he didn’t try to dispute. Now, though, she realizes that he is actually kinder and more thoughtful than she believed; even though he is a billionaire CEO, he still values all of his workers. This directly contrasts with the behavior of people like Angela, who only appreciates what other people can do for her.

“This is really draining, putting on a show, making sure you’re saying the right thing all the time. I’m used to acting like someone else, it’s how I’ve acted around all my business associates. Professional, put together, thoughtful, focused. But in reality, I’m like every other guy who just wants to relax, who jokes around, teases, has a good time. For someone who might not be used to putting on a show, it is draining, especially when it isn’t just your livelihood at stake, but someone else’s.”

Huxley and Lottie are finally honest with one another about the difficulties of their arrangement following interactions with Dave, Ellie, and Angela. Huxley reflects on The Balance Between Authenticity and Appearances, realizing that the professional front he puts up sometimes has serious emotional consequences. Namely, it hampers his ability to relax and enjoy social connections. He feels pressure to maintain this façade, however, because he values the reputations of his family and others who rely on him.

“‘I understand the need to protect a reputation. I think it’s one of the reasons I’m being so aggressive in my approach with Dave. Everyone in the business knows I’m going after the properties, and everyone knows I get what I want, but Dave is giving me a run for my money, and that puts a blemish on my reputation.’ 

‘You can’t win them all.’ 

‘I do,’ I tell her. ‘I always win.’”

Huxley is preoccupied with The Impact of Social Expectations on Personal Choices in this scene. He recognizes that his carefully constructed façade is emotionally draining; however, he is keenly aware of how others are viewing him and allows this perception to guide his personal decisions. The exchange also highlights the gap in understanding between him and Lottie. Lottie is someone who has lost a lot in life, so she doesn’t understand his privilege and his aggressively successful personality when he says that he always wins. It is difficult for her to grasp how his circumstances drive his approach to his career.

“I hate that I know what my answer is because I wish something else would consume me. […] [Angela’s] consumed me but not in a healthy way. The relationship I’ve had with her has been toxic. At times, she’s made me feel important, special, only to throw me away as if I didn’t matter.”

Huxley asks if Lottie has ever felt consumed by someone or something, which he implicitly means in a positive way. Lottie begrudgingly admits a more negative answer, acknowledging how Angela has motivated her actions for what feels like most of her life. Angela’s abandonment in particular is the primary reason for Lottie’s trust issues. By communicating this to Huxley, she allows him to understand a key aspect of who she is. He sympathizes with her more deeply than ever, and he can also be aware of what might harm her and thus what behavior to avoid.

“Oddly, even though I’m completely naked, I don’t feel self-conscious in front of him. I don’t even feel as though I’m naked. He makes me feel comfortable in my skin. He hasn’t quite voiced his appreciation for my body as much as one would think, given the confidence I have around him, but it isn’t about what he says, it’s about how he acts when I’m exposed to him.”

Lottie is a very self-conscious person who expresses insecurity about her body throughout the book. Her ex-boyfriend left her for someone she perceives as more desirable, so having someone she considers attractive and unattainable make her feel comfortable and happy with herself is a new experience. She makes allowances for Huxley’s personality, as he often says less than he feels, and instead values his actions around her, which contrast with the actions of people who have hurt her in the past. This shows the value of not only the romantic but also the sexual aspect of their relationship, as Lottie needs the affirmation that she is physically wanted and valued.

“He’s so genuine in this moment. So real. There’s no domineering asshole trying to control me. There’s no sign of the man who’s been playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. This is Huxley. The true man. And it feels like a bullet to the chest. I like this side of him. I like him like this more than I probably should.”

Huxley and Lottie have both resisted their budding romance, as it is inconvenient to their circumstances and they both originally disliked each other. It makes them question themselves to consider how they can care for someone despite their flaws. Nonetheless, Lottie is deeply struck by her interactions with Huxley when he is not putting up his cold, businessman exterior. She likes who he is beneath the façade, something that never could’ve happened if he remained inauthentic with her. This reaffirms her growing feelings for him, as she can rest assured that her attraction to Huxley is emotional as well as physical.

“‘I just want you happy,’ he says, and I hear him.”

Huxley says this to Lottie when they become intimate on his roof. The remark speaks to the growing emotional depth of their sexual relationship, as does its context: Lottie previously mentioned enjoying the rain, and Huxley has not only remembered that but also tried to fulfill her wish. It is significant, too, that Lottie explicitly affirms that she “hears” what Huxley says, as their relationship has often been marked by miscommunication. In particular, Lottie’s insecurity has led her to mistrust Huxley, so the fact that she takes his statement at face value illustrates not only their increased closeness but also her character development.

“And while Fleetwood Mac performs, Lottie never leaves my side, never shifts away. She sways to the music with me while we sing together, letting the night take ahold of us. And while I’ve been to many concerts before—a private jet makes it so easy—this is one of my best concert experiences. And it’s all about the girl in my arms.”

Huxley has finally overcome his resistance to his growing feelings for Lottie. He gifts her a Fleetwood Mac band tee and brings her to a concert, showing an investment in her interests and individuality. They are extremely flirtatious and comfortable with each other on the plane to Portland, and the night goes perfectly. Unlike the beginning of the novel, when he only sought financial advancement and prestige, he now realizes the value of an earnest romantic bond with someone he truly enjoys.

“After all of those conversations about the contract, after all those threats, he really believes I wouldn’t care, that I’d say something anyway. Not only does that make me incredibly angry, but…a wave of emotion clogs my throat, because that breaks my heart. That he’d think so lowly of me.”

When Huxley learns that Dave knew about his fake engagement to Lottie the whole time, his brothers encourage him to confront Lottie, believing she told Ellie. Worried about his reputation and, more importantly, about how his actions might’ve impacted his brothers, he yells at Lottie. This coincides with the day she was going to say she loved him, and her trust is shattered when she realizes he didn’t instinctually have faith in her. The episode resolves the theme of the false allure of wealth, as Huxley is quick to apologize, so things could easily return to how they were before, with Lottie having every luxury at her disposal. Instead, what matters most to her is how he made her feel, something she’s willing to abandon her new wealthy circumstances over.

“You should know I’d never screw someone over, especially when it comes to business, not after I was fucked over by someone I thought I could trust. I lost everything, Huxley. Angela took away the one thing I thought I was good at, made me feel small and not worth a goddamn penny.”

This aspect of their final confrontation, wherein Lottie explains why she’s so hurt by Huxley’s reaction, highlights the gap in privilege between the two characters. Huxley is concerned with his and his brothers’ reputations, but he doesn’t actually know what it is to feel inferior to someone with more advantages in life. Her remark that Angela made her feel like she wasn’t worth a penny references the finances that have dictated much of the book’s plot and the dynamics between characters: Huxley is concerned with how his business will be affected monetarily, whereas Lottie has felt worthless as an individual. In prioritizing his business and his reputation over Lottie’s feelings, he has broken her trust.

“‘Lottie. She is everything. I don’t know how it came to this, how I fell for a girl so fast, so hard, that I actually feel physical pain from losing her, but here I am, a desperate asshole willing to do anything to get her back.’ That brings a smile to [Dave’s] face. Dave leans forward and holds his hand out to me while he says, ‘This might surprise you, Huxley, and in some ways, it surprises me too, but you have a deal.’”

Huxley and Dave confront each other about Huxley’s fake engagement, which Dave found amusing, if anything. He worried that Huxley was insincere and self-involved—something Huxley genuinely was at the beginning of the novel—but Dave’s opinion of him changed in response to the development of his relationship with Lottie. Lottie made Huxley more open, personable, and down to earth, which is what Dave sought in a business partner all along. This brings a happy resolution to the theme of the balance between authenticity and appearances, as Huxley’s prioritization of his feelings for Lottie here over his reputation as a businessman impresses Dave and seals their property deal.