Summary

Shelby is not a college graduate who works at the Humane Society. She loves saving the dogs and she hates seeing the abused animals come in. This chapter takes place in a Chinese restaurant. Shelby has a blind date with a man she met online. The man is late, so Shelby orders her food. Then, a man appears in the doorway: her ex-boyfriend, Ben Mink. He is shocked, disappointed, resentful, and angry; but ben manages to stay for the entire meal. Shelby is nervous and delighted to see him and hopes he will be interested in rekindling their relationship. Ben has no interest in starting anything up with Shelby. He eats, pays, and leaves the restaurant while claiming that the dating service was wrong (146).

Analysis

Shelby’s encounter with Ben in the Chinese restaurant is a play off of the idea that Ben and...