Emma calls Justin and teases him about being "Forehead Kiss Guy," turning their flirtation into an easy, playful conversation. Justin admits the morning has been rough and explains that his friends and their partners have sent him and the kids to the Mall of America and a nearby water park while they remodel his new bedroom, hoping to give him a break after his mother left for prison.

When Justin invites Emma to come meet him, he tries to lure her with mall attractions and joking promises of more chaste forehead kisses and dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp. Emma then reveals that Jane had texted her the week before and that she and Jane have been planning to cheer Justin up, so Emma and Maddy are already at the mall watching him from above. Justin looks up, sees them, and is visibly delighted by the surprise.

Emma and Maddy meet Justin downstairs, where he is carrying Chelsea on his shoulders. Emma is immediately struck by how attractive Justin looks caring for his little sister, and Maddy notices the same thing. Justin explains that Alex and Sarah are off riding attractions and that he was about to take Chelsea to the aquarium, but Chelsea suddenly needs the bathroom, so Emma offers to take her while Justin rents a stroller.

After Emma returns with Chelsea, Justin finishes settling his sister into the stroller. Emma thinks she has missed the moment for a proper greeting, but Justin closes the distance himself, pulls her into a hug, and quietly tells her he did not get to say hello. The hug lasts long enough to feel more intimate than friendly, and when Justin kisses Emma on the cheek before letting go, Emma is left breathless and flustered.

Maddy steps in to push the stroller, which frees Justin to take Emma's hand as they head for the elevator. Maddy leans over and points out that Emma is blushing, something Emma does not think she ever does. The chapter ends with Emma realizing that Justin's affection has affected her more deeply than she expected, marking a clear shift from playful chemistry to openly felt romantic tension.