Daphne and Amber meet for lunch. Amber asks more about when Daphne and Jackson dated, and Amber mentions postpartum depression. Daphne says that Jackson cheated on her after Tallulah was born, giving Amber hope that her efforts are not in vain. The next Monday, Jackson compliments Amber’s appearance, which includes her newly dyed hair that looks like Daphne’s. Daphne cancels plans to see Hamlet with Jackson that night, so he invites Amber instead. They stay in the Parrishes’ New York apartment in separate rooms.

Daphne invites Amber to a dinner party, introducing her to a man named Gregg. While Amber does not find him attractive or intellectually stimulating, she decides to date him for his money and to make Jackson jealous. After a month of dating Gregg, Amber convinces Daphne to arrange a double date. When Gregg picks her up, they kiss, and Amber reinforces that Gregg must go slowly with her romantically. She tells him, “I told you how hurt I was in my last relationship” (166). At dinner, Jackson displays superior knowledge of wine, leading Amber to flirt.