Chapter 6: Jacob
Burdened by both professional and personal anxieties, Dr. Jacob Maddox seeks solace after a challenging shift. He orders cupcakes, a gesture suggested by Dr. Briana Ortiz, hoping to ease the tension with the nurses, though he doubts its effectiveness. At home, he avoids calls from his family, who are eager for details about the fictional girlfriend he created to sidestep their pity at his brother Jeremiah’s wedding to his ex, Amy.
The pressure mounts as his mother's texts about dinner plans and potential nut allergies for his "plus-one" amplify his stress. Jacob longs to disappear into the background, but the lie, intended to shield himself and his family from discomfort, has instead generated a new kind of pressure. His three-legged Bernese mountain dog, Lieutenant Dan, senses his distress and offers comfort. Jacob reflects on how much he values being home with his dog, a major reason he isn't interested in the chief position. Instead of journaling, he decides to channel his thoughts into a letter to Briana.
Chapter 7: Briana
Briana reaches her limit. Driving her brother, Benny Ortiz, home from the hospital, she issues an ultimatum: he must move in with her, or she will involve their overbearing mother. Benny, weakened and disheartened by his kidney failure, reluctantly agrees. This decision fills Briana with mixed emotions. She feels her life regressing, forced back into a caregiver role in her childhood home, which she never bothered to redecorate after her divorce.
Consumed by moving Benny in, setting up a home dialysis machine, and battling her own despair, Briana feels trapped, bored, and utterly alone, especially with her best friend Alexis living far away. Her cynicism about men, fueled by her cheating ex-husband and absentee father, is at its peak. Arriving at work exhausted, she finds a jumbo red velvet cupcake and a handwritten letter from Jacob. He sincerely apologizes for his behavior, explaining his social anxiety, clarifying his disinterest in the chief position, and providing context for his insensitive comment about dialysis. Briana is stunned by his vulnerability and a wave of guilt washes over her. She realizes she has been a "raging bitch" and resolves to write him back.
Chapter 8: Jacob
Jacob discovers an envelope from Briana taped to his locker and is immediately consumed by anxiety. Fearing rejection, he delays reading it until he gets home. He imagines the worst: that she returned his letter unread or, even worse, shared it with the nurses to mock him. The theme of Mental Health and Anxiety is central here, as Jacob's internal monologue spirals into catastrophic thinking.
When he finally reads the letter, his fear dissolves into profound relief. Briana’s response is warm, funny, and deeply apologetic. She admits she has been "awful" and explains that her own personal struggles have made her a worse version of herself, a key moment of Healing and Second Chances. She accepts his apology, offers to pay for the phone she broke, and makes a "peace offering": she will invite him to after-work drinks with the understanding that he doesn't have to come, and if he ever does, she will protect him from "drunk extroverts." The humor and empathy in her words feel like a lifeline. For the first time in weeks, Jacob feels his anxiety quiet, and he can finally breathe. He immediately sits down to write her back.
Chapter 9: Briana
The next day, Briana finds Jacob’s reply hidden in the supply closet. He playfully addresses her as "Dearest Briana," referencing her comment about wanting a Mr. Darcy-style letter. He accepts her peace offering and jokes about his introverted nature, mentioning he needs "twenty to twenty-two hours of alone time a day to function." The exchange continues with short notes passed on Post-its, where they learn about each other's pets—Jacob's dog, Lieutenant Dan, and Benny's cat, Cooter.
This lighthearted back-and-forth is a welcome distraction for Briana, a small spark of joy in her otherwise bleak life. The theme of Communication and Misunderstanding is fully resolved and replaced by a new, more intimate form of connection. Inspired by the effort Jacob puts into his letters (using high-quality paper), Briana visits a stationery store to buy her own set of pretty, floral-lined paper. The act of choosing the paper is a mission, a project that makes her feel engaged and hopeful. That night, after a long and draining evening setting up Benny's dialysis machine, she finds solace in the relaxing, cathartic act of writing to Jacob.
Chapter 10: Jacob
Jacob finds another letter from Briana on his locker, this time on the new, decorative paper she bought. He slips into an on-call room to read it. She tells him a funny story about Benny's cat, Cooter, and his "3:00 a.m. zoomy thing." She then pivots to a random, charming anecdote about a travel blogger who was once given a Shetland pony as an apology gift. She jokes, "what if I sucked at apologies and instead of giving you drunk extrovert protection, I’d just given you a small horse. Don’t you feel lucky?"
Jacob barks out a laugh while reading. He is completely charmed by her humor, wit, and the glimpse into her personality that the letters provide. He sees the funny, kind person that everyone else at the hospital already knows and likes. The connection deepens beyond a simple truce; it's becoming a genuine friendship built on shared humor and vulnerability. He immediately uses his lunch break to write her back, eager to continue the conversation.
Key Events
- Jacob's Confession: Plagued by anxiety, Jacob writes a vulnerable letter to Briana, apologizing and explaining his social anxiety.
- Benny Moves In: Briana's brother, Benny, moves into her house so she can care for him and oversee his new home dialysis treatment, adding immense stress to her life.
- The Apology is Accepted: Briana reads Jacob's letter, feels terrible for her behavior, and writes a warm, funny, and apologetic letter in return.
- An Epistolary Friendship Begins: Jacob and Briana start exchanging handwritten letters and notes, moving from a tense workplace rivalry to a budding friendship.
- A New Connection: Their correspondence becomes a source of comfort, humor, and a welcome distraction from the personal crises they are both facing.
Character Development
These chapters mark a significant turning point for both Jacob and Briana as they navigate personal struggles and begin to connect on a deeper level.
- Dr. Jacob Maddox: Jacob transitions from withdrawn anxiety to hopeful connection. By writing a letter, he proactively manages his anxiety. His relief upon reading Briana's reply reveals his deep isolation. Through the letters, his witty, self-deprecating, and kind personality emerges.
- Dr. Briana Ortiz: Briana is shown at her lowest point, battling depression and caregiver burnout. Jacob's letter forces her to recognize her harsh behavior. Her response demonstrates self-awareness, empathy, and humor. Writing becomes therapeutic, providing joy and a new focus.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- Communication and Misunderstanding: The initial conflict, rooted in misinterpretations, is dismantled by honest letter writing. The letters allow Jacob and Briana to express their true selves without pressure.
- Mental Health and Anxiety: Jacob explicitly names his social anxiety, reframing his actions and allowing Briana to see him with empathy. Briana’s own mental health struggles are also brought to the forefront, making their connection one of mutual understanding and support.
- Healing and Second Chances: The correspondence represents a second chance for Jacob at his new job and for Briana to be the person she wants to be. They are both healing from personal trauma, and their friendship provides a safe space.
Symbols
- Handwritten Letters: The letters are the central symbol, representing effort, vulnerability, and intention. The physical nature of the letters gives their words weight and permanence, representing a slower, more thoughtful way of getting to know someone.
Key Quotes
"Dearest Briana,"
Jacob playfully addresses Briana in his letter, referencing her earlier comment about wanting a Mr. Darcy-style letter. This lighthearted tone signals a shift in their relationship, moving away from animosity and towards a more intimate and humorous connection. It also reveals Jacob's willingness to engage with Briana on her terms, showing a level of attentiveness and care that was previously hidden.
"what if I sucked at apologies and instead of giving you drunk extrovert protection, I’d just given you a small horse. Don’t you feel lucky?"
Briana's self-deprecating humor shines through in this quote, as she playfully acknowledges her own flaws and quirks. The absurdity of the Shetland pony analogy adds a layer of levity to their correspondence, highlighting the growing comfort and ease between them. This quote also underscores Briana's vulnerability, as she admits to not always being the best at apologies, but still willing to make an effort.
Why This Matters and Section Significance
This section marks a critical turning point, ending the "enemies" dynamic and pivoting the plot toward romance. The conflict is resolved through vulnerable, written communication.
These chapters establish the epistolary format that will define their relationship, allowing for deep and rapid intimacy. By revealing their insecurities and senses of humor on paper, they bypass awkwardness. This section transforms the narrative from a workplace rivalry into a story about two lonely people finding solace in an unexpected way.
Analysis
Jimenez masterfully uses the dual-perspective narrative to heighten the emotional impact of the letters. We are privy to Jacob's anxiety and Briana's depression, creating dramatic irony and empathy. When the letters are exchanged, we experience the relief and joy firsthand.
The epistolary format allows for introspection and honesty, especially given Jacob's social anxiety. The letters serve as a vehicle for character revelation, allowing Jacob and Briana to present their most authentic selves. The tone shifts from tense to light, hopeful, and humorous, blending emotional depth and lightheartedness.