The duo decides to enter a "pact." They agree to fake a relationship. For Sunny, it’s torture being close to Billie but not with him. For Billie, it forces him to look at Sunny not as the little girl he grew up with, but as a desirable woman.
A major theme of the book is Billie’s internal struggle. He has spent his life being the "screw-up" brother. He doesn't believe he is worthy of someone as good and pure as Sunny. He thinks he will eventually ruin her life or break her heart, just as he ruins everything else. This "I'm not good enough" angst drives much of the tension. He pushes her away even as he pulls her closer. off to the races elsie silver pdf