Happy Place

After a clash of thunder, Cleo suggests they go back to the house, but Sabrina is adamant about staying out, suggesting the movies. In their college days, they used to see double features of the horror films Sabrina loves. Cleo hates horror movies, but Sabrina tells Cleo not to be a wet blanket. Harriet, a compromiser and peace-maker, suggests that Cleo and Kimmy stay for one movie. Cleo agrees.

In the theater, Wyn mutters that Harriet doesn’t have to intervene in Sabrina and Cleo’s disagreements—she should let them work it out. At the jump scares in the film, she resists leaning into or grabbing Wyn until one particularly horrific scene, when she finally yells and burrows into his chest. Wyn teases her to relax. Harriet can’t stop thinking about their love, wishing he could really comfort her, and hurries outside for air.

Another flashback shows us the start of Harriet and Wyn’s relationship. After falling in love, Harriet and Wyn traveled to his hometown near Bozeman, Montana, for the holidays. Harriet worried she may not fit in or like his family. Wyn’s parents, Hank and Gloria, were welcoming. His sisters, Lou and Michael, were equally kind and gracious. They teased each other mercilessly, laughing loudly and bantering with pure love. Harriet wished her family was affectionate and talkative like them.

In Wyn’s old room, she asked about his soccer trophies and pictures of him with friends, feeling “gluttonous for all these bits of him” (173). He was Prom King, but thought it was the prize they give to people who peak in high school; Harriet denied this idea, stating he’s been well-loved.

Over games, cross-country skiing, and nightly walks in the snow, the family treated Harriet as one of their own. When Harriet asked why Wyn left Montana, since he seemed so happy, he explained that Lou and Michael were brainiacs, like her, with dreams of becoming a famous writer and aerospace engineer. His parents figured Wyn would take over the family furniture business. When he was scouted by Mattingly College’s soccer coach, he decided to try college. It was hard, but he was thrilled to meet Harriet, grateful he could make her happy. After the visit, Harriet started to think of Wyn and Montana as home.

In the present, at the movie theater, Wyn gets Harriet an armful of snacks to cheer her up. He’s been taking medical marijuana edibles with his mom, Gloria, who uses them to help her Parkinson’s. Harriet jokes that he’s a stoner, and then asks about Gloria’s health. Wyn pushes Harriet to talk about their near-kiss in the cellar instead. He doesn’t blame her or think she cheated on him. Harriet is gutted: This means he broke up with her because he didn’t want her anymore.

Wyn was in a dark place when they lived in San Francisco. Harriet felt guilty about him following her. It killed her not to make him happy. Then, Wyn’s father, Hank, passed away suddenly. Wyn was so lost after his dad died. He didn’t want to hurt her when they broke up. Now, he doesn’t want to mess her life up by kissing her. She confirms again she isn’t dating anyone, so a kiss wouldn’t matter. Wyn isn’t dating either.

Wyn is surprised he’s happy living with his mom in his old house; before, he thought he had to get away and follow huge dreams like his sisters, but he’s content living the simple life. Harriet realizes that Wyn always belonged in Montana. Harriet tells him about her pottery class, a new relaxing hobby. Looking at pictures, Wyn finds her pottery is beautiful.

In the theater, Cleo decides to stay for the second movie to please Sabrina, as it “clearly means a lot” to her (192). Since marijuana is legal, Kimmy passes pot gummies to everyone, though Cleo declines, since she doesn’t use it anymore. After the film, they enjoy the Lobster Festival activities. Cleo tells Harriet she’s disappointed they haven’t yet caught up; she thinks the movie wasted time. Harriet understands, though they both want the week to be perfect for Sabrina and Parth.

Wyn and Harriet ride the Ferris wheel; he remembers Harriet getting high and meeting a boat builder about an apprenticeship. Wyn has never told her, but he asked his dad to help him build a boat for her. Harriet laughs that she wasn’t actually going to quit med school to build boats.

He cuddles her, rubs her back, and flirts, asking to see more pottery. His favorite is a blue and green vase that looks like Montana. Harriet named the vase Hank to honor his dad. Wyn is touched; he buys the vase as a gift for Gloria. Harriet started pottery-making on a whim, spontaneously attending a beginner’s class. Pottery gives her no pressure or anxiety. Their conversation about pottery leads to almost kissing again—until Cleo throws her bra down on them from the cart above.

At the cottage, they race to swim in their underwear in the pool. In the water, Harriet and Wyn finally give in and kiss, though she claims it’s part of the act.

Wyn kisses her deeply and passionately, the way he used to. She burns with longing, but since they’re not alone, they can’t take their attraction further.

Parth jokes that Cleo is full of surprises, from throwing her bra off on the Ferris wheel to underwear swimming. Cleo’s goal for the week was to surprise them.

After swimming, they towel off and head to bed, Wyn holding her hand. Once alone, they’re less certain, both trembling. Harriet decides that they shouldn’t take their attraction any further because their feelings are still real. Wyn kisses her, lifts her up, and pulls down her sundress straps. She wants more, but Wyn controls himself, stating that they can’t be together. Harriet responds she’s aware. They apologize for taking things too far. Wyn goes for a walk to clear his head.

Harriet lays awake, analyzing their steamy night. Her goal for the week is surviving fake-dating Wyn to ensure she doesn’t ruin Sabrina and Parth’s wedding. She imagines sex with Wyn, aching for him when she wakes up alone.

In another flashback, Harriet and Wyn are living together in their first apartment in New York City for four years while Harriet attended medical school. Wyn found furniture on curbs and restored it, making his carpenter dad proud. They filled the apartment with books and trinkets, starting traditions like Saturday morning crossword puzzles.

Cleo moved to Belize for six months to work on an organic farm, but Sabrina and Parth, both in law school, came over to Harriet and Wyn’s apartment for weekly dinners.

As their love deepened, Harriet counted on Wyn as her constant, with “I love you so much” repeated daily. One morning, they analyzed the idea of multiple universes. Wyn said that in all possible universes, he would always love her: “In every universe, it’s you for me. Even if it’s not me for you” (223). Harriet couldn’t believe how lucky she was to love him, feeling happier than ever.

One night, Wyn spontaneously asked her to marry him; she responded “yes” instantly. He hurried to the bedroom, returning with a hidden ring. Harriet knew their life together would remain amazing, fulfilling, and joyful, since “everything is better with him” (225). They kissed with raw emotion.

That summer, Cleo, Sabrina, and Parth threw them an engagement party.