At the mall, Eve hears a shoe store alarm and panics, convinced she is about to be caught shoplifting the shoes hidden in her purse. She immediately spirals into fear about losing her job, disappointing Nate, and proving that he is right about her having a serious problem.

As a security guard and clerk rush toward the exit, Eve realizes the alarm was not triggered by her. The clerk apologizes to an elderly customer, explaining that she forgot to remove the security strip from the woman’s purchase. Because the customer, not Eve, set off the alarm, Eve narrowly avoids exposure.

While the clerk is distracted, Eve quickly removes the stolen shoes from her purse and puts them back on the shelf. The close call shakes her badly. During the drive home, Eve reflects that she almost ruined her life over something reckless and childish, which reinforces her fear that she has not truly changed.

When Eve gets home, she is relieved to find Nate already there cooking dinner. Seeing him acting domestic and attentive makes her imagine how disastrous it would have been if she had been arrested, and her relief turns into a sudden desire for closeness and reassurance from him.

Eve embraces Nate and tries to initiate sex, but Nate gently pulls away and says he wants to eat first. Even when he promises "later tonight," Eve does not believe him. The chapter ends with Eve feeling rejected and humiliated, convinced that Nate will continue avoiding intimacy with excuses until she gives up asking.