After leaving the mall, Maddy immediately tells Emma that Justin is clearly in love with her. Emma admits that she likes Justin more than expected, but she insists that she cannot date him seriously because Justin is now effectively raising his three younger siblings. Emma argues that his life requires a partner who can step into a family routine, while Emma’s travel-based career and desire for mobility make that impossible.

Maddy challenges Emma’s reasoning and says Emma is searching for excuses to reject something real. Maddy argues that Emma’s constant moving is a controlled version of the instability Emma grew up with, and that Emma avoids belonging anywhere. Emma pushes back, saying she is being practical: if she stayed with Justin and things failed, the fallout would affect not only Justin but also the grieving children in his care. Even so, Emma privately admits that Maddy is right about one thing—Emma genuinely does like Justin.

Emma reminds herself that the relationship was always meant to be temporary: four dates, one kiss, and a breakup, just for the summer. Then Maddy realizes she left her purse in Justin’s stroller bag, and Justin calls to confirm it. On the way to retrieve it at Great Wolf Lodge, Emma suspects Maddy engineered the mistake on purpose. Maddy admits that she wanted Justin to have a chance to say goodbye to Emma without the kids present, then forces Emma out of the car to meet him alone.

Outside the quiet water-park entrance, Justin hands Emma the purse, realizes Maddy has driven off, and understands they have been set up. He immediately pulls Emma close and gives her a long, soft kiss that leaves Emma overwhelmed and wanting more. When Emma asks why he stopped, Justin teasingly refuses to continue, says that is all she gets, gives her a forehead kiss, and walks away. Emma protests that the kiss does not count because it was not open-mouthed, but Justin only jokes back, leaving Emma stranded in the parking lot and even more shaken by how strongly she feels for him.