The Friend Zone

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide discuss infertility.

The novel opens with a chapter narrated by Josh. He has just moved to California from South Dakota and is dealing with the fallout of breaking up with his ex-girlfriend, Celeste. He is driving to the grocery store and texting Celeste about the money she owes him when he accidentally bumps into the truck in front of him. When he follows the truck to a parking lot to assess the damage, he sees that the driver is a petite, attractive woman (Kristen). She clearly spilled a drink on herself when his car bumped into hers.

Josh’s bumper has a small dent, but her truck is fine, so he suggests not getting their insurance companies involved. The woman agrees but asks that he get her some napkins to wipe up the liquid that she spilled down her shirt. He doesn’t have any, so he gives her one of his own t-shirts to wear. She goes back to her truck where her tiny dog is waiting, and Josh sees that she has spilled coffee all over the seats as well. The woman tells him that it is her friend’s truck.