Ten summers earlier, Poppy and Alex spend their first big trip wandering Victoria on almost no sleep, turning an art-gallery sales pitch into a running joke and delighting in being together. After retrieving Poppy’s cheaply rented car, they drive north to a damp, quiet motel near Nanoose Bay. Even though it rains constantly, the town feels like a retirement village, and they repeat the same cheap activities and meals, both of them unexpectedly love the trip.

As the slow week continues, Poppy realizes travel gives her a feeling of purpose and freedom that ordinary life does not. Because she wants that feeling to continue, she asks Alex if he wishes they could always live like this. Alex does not want to give up school, but he offers her all of his future summer breaks, promising they can keep taking trips together wherever they can afford, and the promise feels important to both of them.

Near the end of the trip, they visit Cathedral Grove and Coombs, then Poppy surprises Alex with a day trip to Tofino and a water taxi ride to hot springs. The rough boat ride and a stop to watch sea otters make the day feel perfect, and both of them say the trip has been perfect too. That shared happiness reinforces how well they travel together and how much these experiences already matter to them.

After the taxi returns, the driver, Buck, invites them to stay at the communal house where he lives. Poppy is thrilled by the spontaneous detour, and Alex agrees because he sees how much she wants it. At Buck’s crowded, bohemian party, Poppy drinks, gets high, and flirts with Buck while Alex spends time elsewhere, including with Daisy. Alex still checks on Poppy from across the fire, showing his protective attention even while giving her space.

By dawn, Poppy goes inside with Buck and makes out with him, enjoying the temporary, consequence-free feeling of vacation intimacy. When Poppy says she does not want sex, Buck matter-of-factly asks her to leave so he can pursue someone else; Poppy is amused rather than heartbroken, because the encounter was never serious. She ends up in the tent with Alex, tells him what happened, and they laugh together while Alex calls Buck rude and denies hooking up with Daisy. The chapter closes on their familiar ease with each other, contrasting Buck’s casual interest with Alex’s steadier comfort and care.