The American Roommate Experiment

Rosie arrives in Philadelphia, still reeling from Lucas’s rejection. She finally tells her father and brother about her new career, and her father voices his continued support. Rosie is relieved to be openly living the life she wants. She thinks of Lucas, describing him as “the man [she’d] fallen in love with. The man [she’d] chased through an airport in an attempt to become [her] own romance heroine. Only in this story, the hero had taken flight and left [her] on land with a broken heart” (355).

Lina arrives to support Rosie, who finally reveals her and Lucas’s dating experiment. Lina apologizes for not being supportive or understanding the pair’s feelings. She assumes the experimental dates made Rosie uncertain of her feelings, but Rosie knows her emotions were always real: Lucas is the only partner she can imagine for herself. Lina confesses that Aaron always believed Rosie and Lucas’s romance was genuine, but she only accepted it as more than infatuation when she learned about the rooftop date—which Aaron helped with.

Rosie tells Lina that her book is done, promising to send her a copy of the draft. Lina teases her for attempting a gesture straight out of a romance novel, and Rosie admits she should have remembered Lucas’s original promise that the experiment would never result in real love.

Lucas ignores texts from Lina, as he knows she is probably angry at him for hurting Rosie. Finally, she texts that there is a problem, and Lucas picks up, desperate to know if Rosie is safe. Lina says her text was a ruse to get him to answer the phone and then says, “At least nothing other than you happened” (361). She says the only thing quelling her anger is Rosie and Lucas’s genuine love for each other. She ignores Lucas’s protests of unworthiness and tells him that she read Rosie’s new book—which is physical proof of Lucas’s influence in her life.

A few weeks later, Rosie gloomily reflects on her life since Lucas left. She loves Christmas, but her grief dampens her festive spirit. She reluctantly agrees to attend a New Year’s Eve party with Lina. As midnight approaches, Rosie is confused because Lina and Aaron seem unusually happy, assuring her that something good will happen. She tells Lina that Olly is exploring building trades and may be interviewing with the contractor who repaired her apartment. As the countdown to midnight begins, Lina looks at Rosie with fondness and tells her to close her eyes and make a wish. A hand grasps Rosie’s, and Lucas tells her to open her eyes. Lucas declares his love and says, “I didn’t feel worthy of you. Of us. I’m ready to grovel as much as I need to get you back” (374). He worked on himself during their time apart and is ready to commit. Rosie interrupts his speech, asking him to kiss her.

As ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” plays, Rosie and Lucas dance. Lucas confesses that reading Rosie’s book changed everything for him, as “it made [him] want to become a better man for [him]self. A worthy one, for [him] and [Rosie]. To prove [her] right” (377). He is pursuing mental health care and resuming physical therapy. He also realizes Rosie and Alexia were right, that his passion for cooking is worth pursuing. As such, Lucas is applying to a culinary school in New York, and if Rosie is willing to wait for him, they can begin their lives together soon. Rosie turns to a nearby screen, finding a proposal from Lucas—for real dates, living together, and becoming real partners. Overcome with adoration, she agrees.

A year later, Lucas is in a cab in New York, on the phone with Rosie. They discuss how relieved they are that their long-distance relationship is finally coming to an end; Lucas sought therapy and is eager for his new life in New York. Rosie believes she is talking to Lucas on his way to the airport in Spain. Unbeknownst to her, he is surprising her a day early and is already on the way to her apartment. As Lucas asks Rosie to fantasize about their reunion, he admits the truth. From the hallway, he says, “I’ve waited a lifetime without me knowing. So why don’t you open this door and let me show you?” (383).