The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
by V. E. Schwab
Contents
Part Three: Three Hundred Years—and Three Words — Chapter VIII
Overview
Addie and Henry’s easy afternoon in Prospect Park turns urgent when Henry realizes he is late to Bea’s dinner party without dessert, and Addie uses French and a long-cultivated connection to secure pastries from a hidden bakery. Addie agrees to attend the party despite the risk of her curse being exposed in a room full of strangers. On the way, Henry reveals a painful fragment of his past—Tabitha rejected his proposal—while still avoiding a fuller explanation for his situation. At the apartment, Bea’s uncanny sense that Addie is “timeless,” and Henry’s alarm at her repeated words, heighten the mystery of why Addie affects people differently now.
Summary
Addie and Henry eat from food trucks near Prospect Park, sharing fries, gyros, falafel, and dumplings. Addie notices a vendor grow emotional while talking with Henry, and Henry explains the woman said he reminded her of her son, though Addie senses he is withholding something. The moment feels briefly perfect to Addie, even as she knows contentment never lasts for her.
Henry gets a call from Bea and realizes he is late to her dinner party and was supposed to bring dessert. Seeing Henry panic, Addie takes charge and leads him to a small, signless French bakery in Brooklyn run by Michel. Addie speaks fluent French and claims friendship with Delphine, which softens Michel; he gives them the remaining pastries for free, grateful for a taste of home.
Outside, Henry is awed by Addie’s ease and warmth, and he asks her to come to the dinner party. Addie knows attending is dangerous because she cannot explain her curse or control who will forget her, but she chooses to go anyway, deciding to take what time she can with Henry.
On the walk, Henry briefs Addie on the guests: Robbie, a performer and Henry’s ex from college; Bea, who is getting her PhD and lives with Josh; and Bea’s current girlfriend, Elise. Henry also warns Addie not to ask about “the Professor,” a married Columbia professor Bea once loved. Henry then offers a partial confession about himself, admitting he proposed to a girl named Tabitha and was rejected, and Addie recognizes it as a truth that still leaves bigger truths unsaid.
At Bea’s apartment, Bea teases Henry for being late and takes the pastry box, then looks past him and asks about Addie. Bea insists she would not forget Addie’s face and repeats that Addie looks “timeless,” unsettling Henry because Bea said the same thing when she met Addie in the bookshop. Before Addie can answer Henry’s pointed question about whether they have met, Elise arrives and the group moves inside, where Robbie’s arrival turns sharp when Bea calls Addie “Henry’s date,” and Addie tries to stay unobtrusive as dinner is served.
Who Appears
- Addie LaRueCursed immortal; enjoys a rare day with Henry, secures desserts in French, risks attending Bea’s party.
- Henry StraussAddie’s new connection; late to Bea’s party, accepts Addie’s help, reveals partial history with Tabitha.
- BeaHenry’s friend and host; calls Addie “timeless” again, teasing Henry and introducing party dynamics.
- MichelFrench baker; lets Addie in after she mentions Delphine and gives pastries without payment.
- EliseBea’s girlfriend; arrives at the door, easing a tense moment and pulling the group inside.
- JoshBea’s roommate; takes coats and helps host as the dinner party gets underway.
- RobbieHenry’s ex and performer friend; reacts coldly to Addie being called Henry’s date.
- TabithaHenry’s past love; rejected his marriage proposal, a wound he admits while keeping other truths hidden.
- DelphineMichel’s daughter; her name grants Addie access and triggers Michel’s generosity.