Though Alix had been feeling confident before she opened the door, upon seeing Kelley “a million insecurities” (153) hit her. She feels immediately flooded by emotion and embarrassment at what was supposed to be an ironically tacky Thanksgiving scene. As Alix repeats “fuck fuck fuck” (154) in her head, her other guests greet Emira and Kelley. Tamra, Jodi, and Rachel take Emira to the bar for a glass of wine, while Alix is able to have a short, awkward exchange with Kelley until Peter rescues her by coming in the room.

Alix drags Jodi upstairs, where she pulls her into the laundry room and explains what is happening. Rachel comes upstairs, too. Alix is having an anxiety attack as “the reality of how completely different this run-in was from the last fifteen years of Kelley Copeland fantasies came down on [her]” (157). Tamra makes her way into the closet as Alix thinks about the fact that Emira and Kelley have sex with each other. The three friends coach Alix into pulling herself together and heading back downstairs. 

After Alix’s friends leave Emira alone to go upstairs, Emira is grateful to greet Briar and invite her to meet Kelley. He jokes with Briar immediately, making Emira feel “pleased” (163).