Blake narrated that he had been unemployed for sixty-two days and coped by spending hours at the gym, despite Krista’s concern that it might be unhealthy. Returning to their New York brownstone drenched in sweat, he found comfort in the air conditioning and the smell of Krista’s freshly baked snickerdoodles, a signature treat that symbolized their relationship and the life he envisioned with her.

After showering, Blake joined Krista to eat cookies, and she asked about his job search. He admitted there had been no progress: his reputation was tarnished in the industry after his firing, and even low-paying roles were not responding. Krista comforted him using their “hug scale,” and then gently raised the practical concern of affording the next mortgage payment, which Blake could barely cover.

Discussing finances, Krista offered to contribute more from her modest income as a dry-cleaning store manager and recalled how they met there when Blake was a customer. Blake remembered ending a previous relationship with Gwen before asking Krista out, reinforcing his emotional investment in their future together.

Krista proposed taking in a tenant until Blake found work. Blake initially refused, objecting to sharing their home with a stranger and citing Krista’s unpleasant past roommate experience. Krista countered that they could find someone more suitable, lightening the moment by noting she had found Blake in Manhattan.

As the conversation turned serious again, Krista suggested selling her engagement ring to buy time. Blake, proud of having given her a real, impressive diamond unlike his mother’s tiny fake one, refused to let her sell it, seeing it as a blow to his promise to take care of her and to their plans to marry.

Faced with looming insolvency and the risk of losing the brownstone, Blake relented and agreed to take in a tenant as a temporary solution. The chapter closed with Blake’s acceptance of the plan, marking a significant shift in how they would manage their financial crisis.