When in Rome: A Novel

Amelia is surprised at how comfortable she feels at Noah’s house given that she doesn’t even feel at home in her own house in Nashville. She thinks back to feeling at home during her childhood. Though she and her mother lived alone and didn’t have much, Amelia always felt happy and loved. Once she became famous, however, her mother grew distant and wouldn’t show up for meetings that Susan had scheduled for them, continually asking Susan to send her more money. Though Amelia wants to give her mother anything she wants, she also needs to feel loved by her. Over time, Amelia has stopped trying to force a relationship. Amelia feels differently around Noah and his sisters, who treat her like she’s just a normal person, but she can’t stop thinking about her kiss with Noah. She knows she shouldn’t dwell on it since they can’t be together long-term. Even so, she bothers Noah for fun, trying to get a glimpse behind his grumpy facade.

Noah’s sisters pick Amelia up in their truck to go to Hank’s, the local bar, but she is forced to sit in the trunk bed as there are only two seats in the cab.