It deserved the axe, author just kept making up reasons to have the MC keep his distances, the chapters were 30 or more pages long, there was plenty of time to create something credible. Think of all those stories that get 10-15 pages.
He knew she liked him, feels like the author was just a grifted trying to hold things out as long as he could.
I don't believe even with 10 more chapters he would have done things any differently, just more obstacles.