The Unhoneymooners

Olive is at her new job, reflecting that her family is constantly visiting her, concerned about her breakup and the obvious rift between the twins. Her entire family constantly brings her food, and her cousin Natalia has just stopped by her workplace. When Natalia mentions seeing Ami, Olive reflects how much she wishes she could simply end the fight by declaring she was wrong. Natalia reveals that Ami has been asking about a woman named Trinity—the same woman Ethan mentioned Dane had dated while with Ami. Olive explains she cannot give more details, but tearfully asks her cousin to support her sister and admits, “I don’t trust Dane at all anymore” (348).

Late that same night, Ami texts Olive with screenshots from Dane’s phone. The texts are all from other women. Ami asks if it is possible he has been cheating this whole time. Ami tells her she is going to text the other women, pretending to be Dane. The next day, Olive is wracked with anxiety but busies herself with volunteer work, attends a talk, and assists neighbors with snow removal. She reflects on how much happier she is now that she is no longer focused on work she has never cared about. Ami calls, apologizing and saying she needs her to come over later for dinner. Olive agrees instantly.

At Ami and Dane’s home, the two sisters embrace tearfully. Amy cryptically explains the Dane will return later and she’ll explain the results of her investigations of his text history. The two sisters have dinner and watch a movie. Dane arrives, unhappy to see Olive, but he takes dinner and leaves them alone. Ami explains she contacted the other women. As she announces, “I had to do it this way” (358), the doorbell rings.

Olive realizes Ami has invited all of the women to the house. Ami calmly explains to the first arrival that she is married to Dane. Trinity arrives, and Dane tries to deny everything. Olive urges Ami to go and rest, and then Ethan arrives. Ami says that this was part of her plan, too. Dane confirms his infidelity. Ethan looks stunned and tries to apologize, but Olive only says, “Take Dane with you when you go” (363).

Olive is still at Ami’s, helping her pack Dane’s things with help from their entire family. She ignores texts from Ethan. Olive is surprised that their mother approves when Ami says she will pursue divorce. Ami sees Olive’s phone and asks about a photo of Ethan. Ami says the trip is proof Olive and Ethan are well-matched.

Olive continues to ignore Ethan’s attempts at contact, knowing she is right to be angry but also that his loyalty does him credit and she might have done the same. Olive reflects that “we were a great fit. Our ending—by contrast, still seems so jagged and unfinished.” (369).

Olive moves in with her sister, admiring Ami’s steadfast ability to organize her divorce as thoroughly as she did her wedding. Ami tells Olive that Ethan has asked to see her and suggests that he might be worth forgiving. Olive initially rejects the idea but realizes that this is something she would have done before Maui. Reconsidering, she tells Ami she will decide after Ami and Ethan have dinner together. Ami tells her Ethan is contrite and clearly a good person who wants Olive back. Olive is unsure if she can be vulnerable again, and Ami urges her to try, telling her she is proud of Olive’s new outlook. Ami says it is fine with her if Olive and Ethan reconcile, as this would give more meaning to her own pain. Olive realizes that it is “a waste of my time looking for reasons, for fate or luck” (373). Instead, she has to decide for herself what to do about Ethan.

That evening at work, Olive is dismayed to find the Hamiltons seated in her section at Camellia. She arranges for them to have another server and Mrs. Hamilton reminds her husband that he has not hired anyone to fill Olive’s vacancy. She has them reseated but finds Ethan at a table dressed in Hawaiian clothes with a mai-tai glass. He asks Olive to recall their trip to the bar in Hawaii, declaring, “That day, I believe, was the day I fell in love with you” (375).

Ethan removes his shirt to reveal a tank top made out of one of the dresses from Ami’s wedding. She laughs about how absurd he looks, and she reflects that even he cannot redeem the color. He asks her to take him back, and she reminds him how much it hurt when he doubted her honesty, given that their relationship has been built on truth and trust. He agrees, telling her he cannot apologize enough. As they nearly kiss, Olive realizes her entire family has been in the restaurant, waiting for this moment. Olive decides, “luck, fate, determination—whatever it is, I’ll take it” (379), and she finally kisses Ethan.

The epilogue opens from Ethan’s point of view, two years later. Olive is waking him up because they have just arrived in Hawaii. Ami and her new boyfriend, Lucas, are with them. Lucas is a friend of Ethan’s and a doctor who has given him a sedative for his fear of flying. Ethan notices how happy Ami and Olive are. Olive has finally found a career that suits her, working in science education and conducting vaccine outreach talks. Ethan is happy Ami is visiting Hawaii with a real partner who deserves her. He is also planning to propose to Olive.

The foursome go ziplining, and Ethan reflects on the change in Olive. In the past she might have hesitated to go first over a huge ravine high above the ground, fearing her usual encounter with disaster. Today, she goes first, gleeful in her excitement. Ethan is overjoyed to hear Ami declare “she’s so brave” (366).

At the next zipline course, Olive teases Ethan for trying to “mansplain” gravity and he reflects on how much he adores her wit, whispering in her ear that he can demonstrate more in private. Ethan takes in Ami’s mockery at their obvious affection, knowing they both want nothing but joy for Olive.

Four days later, Ethan thinks he is ready to propose on the beach. He takes a selfie of them, and Olive jokes that it could be captioned like a proposal, as so many Minnesotans get engaged in locations with tropical weather. Ethan freezes, doubting his timing, and Olive immediately worries she has done something wrong. He kisses her, telling himself he has to accept that Olive may not want marriage even though he does, given her family history. Olive tells Ethan she loves him, and he asks if she is fond of Lucas. Ethan recalls that Dane had hoped for a reconciliation, and that he and his brother are on better terms now. Lucas is a widower and father to a four-year-old, and Olive’s doubts have been put to rest by his devotion.

Olive changes the subject again, telling Ethan she has seen an ugly dress that might be perfect to have Ami wear. She tells him she does want to get married, and only had a moment of nervousness on the beach. She decided to propose herself. Ethan gets out the ring, and Olive weeps in joy. Ethan asks, “Will you marry me, Oscar Olivia Torres?” (395), and they laugh.