The American Roommate Experiment

For their fourth and final date, Rosie and Lucas have dinner at Alexia’s restaurant, Zarato. Rosie notices that Lucas seems more attentive and drawn to her. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by Alexia’s wife, a fellow chef. As Rosie and Lucas discuss the menu, Rosie admits she finds Lucas’s use of Spanish attractive. He indulges her, whispering the names of desserts and commenting on her beauty. Rosie realizes the date’s theme, the grand romantic gesture that usually resolves a romantic conflict, will likely intensify her feelings. In response to this intensity, she asks Lucas what he misses about home and why he rarely discusses it. He admits that Spain reminds him of his former life and that he now feels stagnant. Rosie promises to remain by his side while he figures things out.

Rosie and Lucas take the elevator to the restaurant’s roof. From there, Lucas instructs Rosie to close her eyes. He tells her that the date was partly inspired by romantic scenes on YouTube and the ending to her first book. Rosie opens her eyes and finds that Lucas hung lights and baked a cake to pretend they are meeting for the first time at Lina and Aaron’s wedding; he also included a slideshow of wedding photos.