Daphne, the protagonist, is a librarian in Waning Bay, Michigan. She scrolls through Facebook, looking at photos of her ex-fiancé Peter, who is now engaged to Petra, whom Daphne calls “abnormally attractive.” Daphne recalls their meet-cute three years ago. Her hat blew off and landed at Peter’s feet. Daphne chased the hat and crashed into a trash can. It was love at first sight, but after his bachelor party, Peter left Daphne for Petra, his childhood best friend.

Petra broke up with Miles to be with Peter, so when Daphne needed a place to stay, she moved in with him. Miles is upset over the breakup and is in his room smoking weed and listening to “All by Myself.” Daphne knocks on his door to tell him to turn down the music and not smoke inside so they don’t anger their neighbor, Mr. Dorner. Miles watches Bridget Jones’s Diary and invites Daphne in to watch the film. His room is filthy, so she declines, but she admits she wouldn’t mind escaping her present reality.