Darius attends the poetry reading with his little sister, Georgia, and Carrie. Georgia is eager to meet Zuri, while Carrie is aloof. Darius offers to drive Zuri back up to Brooklyn—they would drop Georgia off at Darius’s paternal grandmothers in Chevy Chase, Maryland on the way. Zuri reluctantly agrees: “My stomach drops and I realize that I just agreed to. Four hours alone, in a car, with Darius Darcy. What would Warren say to that?” (164). Carrie is clearly annoyed by Darius’s plan. Zuri takes the opportunity to ask if Darius and Carrie are dating and Georgia and Darius both assure her that this isn’t the case. Zuri reacts: “Something stirs deep in my belly. I’m not supposed to care. But part of me is relieved that Darius isn’t into someone so shallow and insecure” (165).

Darius, Georgia, and Zuri drive to Chevy Chase, Maryland. When they arrive, Darius introduces his grandmother to Zuri, Mrs. Catherine Darcy. Mrs. Darcy is rude to Zuri, not even shaking her hand when Zuri offers it. Zuri reflects to herself that money can’t buy manners and thinks, “If I thought the whole Darcy family was bougie, then this queen here is on a whole other level” (172).