Overview

After their first night back together, Hallie and Rio spend a tender morning cementing their reconciliation through domestic intimacy and open affirmation. They navigate a difficult call from Rio’s mother, who still blames Hallie, while Rio vows not to let family opposition derail them again. Hallie discovers her design account has exploded in followers thanks to Rio and his friends’ support. The chapter ends with both explicitly committing to being "all in" as a couple.

Full Summary

Hallie wakes with Rio asleep on her chest after a night of intense sex and caretaking. She recalls how Rio cooked her pasta, tended to her repeatedly with affection and desire, and insisted on cleaning and caring for her afterward, leaving them both exhausted but satisfied.

Hallie sneaks downstairs in Rio’s flannel to make coffee, savoring the quiet and the feeling of being cherished. Rio wakes, flirts, and insists on making her latte himself, joking about finally having sex again after six years and being willing to share anything. Their playful banter underscores their relief and renewed closeness.

When Rio’s phone rings, Hallie urges him to answer his mother despite their fraught history. He takes the call in another room, and Hallie reflects on how close she once was to Mrs. DeLuca and the enduring pain of being blamed for not revealing the affair sooner. The distance from Rio’s mother weighs on her even as she tries to distract herself by checking her design Instagram.

Hallie discovers her account has surged to nearly thirty thousand followers, with inquiries and praise flooding her posts. Rio returns and reveals that he and his friends shared her work broadly, boosting her visibility. He folds her into his friend group’s social orbit and teases about girls’ nights, offering Hallie the sense of community she has missed.

As they dance slowly in the unfinished kitchen, Hallie asks about the call. Rio wordlessly confirms it was bad but declares he will not let his mother’s feelings control his choices again. He insists the anger is really about his father’s betrayal, not Hallie, and vows not to let anyone—his mother or himself—ruin their relationship this time.

Finally, Rio asks for explicit confirmation that they are together. Hallie affirms she is “all in,” and they agree it is "you and me," reinforcing their second chance as a committed couple despite lingering family tension.

Who Appears

• Hallie Hart — narrator; wakes after reconnecting with Rio, reflects on guilt over the past with Rio’s mother, discovers a surge in her design account followers, and commits to the relationship.
• Rio DeLuca — Hallie’s longtime love; cooks for Hallie, is openly affectionate, fields a difficult call from his mother, declares he is all in, shares Hallie’s work to boost her career, and vows not to let family interfere.
• Mrs. DeLuca — Rio’s mother; appears via phone call, remains upset, highlighting ongoing family conflict tied to past betrayal.
• Zanders, Miller, and Ryan — Rio’s friends; mentioned as having shared Hallie’s design posts, significantly increasing her visibility.