Justin sends Emma a joking promotional graphic full of fake reviews recommending him as a partner to help break their supposed dating curse. Amused and increasingly interested in both Justin and Minnesota, Emma decides to change her summer plans. She approaches Maddy with research on a six-week nursing assignment at Royaume Northwestern and a lakeside cottage rental, arguing that dating Justin in Minnesota for a month would be the most practical way to test whether the curse is real.

Maddy resists because she wants the Hawaii assignment, hates the idea of Minnesota, and especially objects to working Med Surg at a world-class hospital full of intimidating surgeons. Emma keeps pressing, highlighting the cottage on an island, the included pontoon boat, and the prestige of the hospital. When that still fails, Emma uses a past disaster in Utah as leverage, reminding Maddy that she once endured a miserable trailer-park stay because of Maddy’s choice. Emma finally wins by offering Maddy two consecutive future picks, including the option to stay in one place for six months, and Maddy reluctantly agrees to Minnesota.

Emma does not tell Justin about the change, planning to surprise him. After a week and a half of talking and texting, Emma and Maddy drive to Minnesota. At the property, they are stunned by the size of the owner’s mansion, then meet Maria, who explains that they must park in the garage and use an old pontoon boat to reach the cottage on a nearby island. During the ride, Maria tells them the owner stopped using the cottage after his girlfriend left him, and she is glad someone will finally live there.

The cottage itself exceeds Emma’s expectations: it is small, cozy, and carefully preserved, with a screened porch, lake views, vintage decor, and two charming bedrooms. Maria explains the practical rules about laundry, trash, and mail, then leaves. After dropping her off and heading into town for groceries, Emma spots something she wants to use for Justin’s surprise. She texts him as if she is already in Hawaii, asks him to tell her how many fingers to hold up, takes a photo on a bus bench, and sends it to him. Justin recognizes what the picture means, and he calls almost immediately.