Wild Side

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes sexual content and addiction.

Tabitha is overcome by her desire to be with Rhys. Her grief and sadness dissolve as soon as Rhys starts touching her. They kiss and move their hands under each other’s clothes. Tabitha’s “skin sizzles” and she “can barely breathe” (229). Although enjoying the experience, she soon pulls away. She insists they shouldn’t act on their feelings because their marriage isn’t real, but admits that in another life things might be different.

Tabitha’s face is still flushed when she meets up with Rosie, Skylar, Doris, and another friend named Gwen. They tease her about Rhys but Tabitha brushes off their comments. Then Gwen, a yoga instructor in town, reveals that Rhys takes her class and often talks about Tabitha. Tabitha blushes.

Rhys goes bowling with his new friends. He’s glad to see Tabitha and is overwhelmed by emotion remembering their kiss. Throughout the night, all of the friends laugh and joke. Rhys and Tabitha pull each other aside and chat about what happened between them and how they can’t stop thinking about each other. They start touching again but Doris interrupts. Rhys wishes they could be alone together.

Back at home, the couple discovers the marriage certificate arrived.