The Idea of You

Content Warning: This section contains references to unwanted sexual comments and touching.

Solène travels to Maine with her parents to visit Isabelle at camp. She continues to hide her relationship with Hayes from Isabelle but shares that Hayes has become a client. The next week, Solène flies to New York to see Hayes. As they leave for a weekend trip to the Hamptons, Solène is overwhelmed by the aggressive nature of August Moon’s fans. In the Hamptons, they have sex and confess to each other that their relationship is “more than [they] expected” (130).

Later that evening, Hayes and Solène spend time with Oliver and his girlfriend Charlotte while the other bandmates party in Miami. In the morning, Solène goes for a run with Charlotte, who details the creation of August Moon. Hayes created the band with the help of his mother and her friends, the Lawrences, who work as the band’s managers. Charlotte alludes to Hayes’s penchant for older women. Back at the house, Solène dresses for the day and discovers Oliver has entered their bedroom without knocking. His behavior disturbs her.

While out for the day, Hayes sends his bodyguard to buy more condoms for them. Hayes and Solène quarrel about Solène’s hesitancy to have sex with Hayes without a condom.