Overview

On a quiet Saturday, Hallie talks with her roommate Wren, video-chats with her recovering father, and fields a string of needy texts from Rio asking for babysitting help. She discovers Rio secretly arranged for her broken car to be repaired and spends the evening with him caring for friends’ kids, sharing honest admissions about their past feelings. The night ends with near-kiss tension on the lawn; Hallie stops the kiss but admits she missed him too, confirming a deepening reconnection.

Full Summary

Hallie teases her roommate Wren about going out, learns Wren is dining with her brother Cruz and his teammate, and they banter about Hallie and Rio’s history. Wren urges Hallie to eat her leftovers, noting Hallie’s stubbornness and financial strain. After Wren leaves, Hallie settles in with pasta when her father video-calls; she anxiously assesses his health, then relaxes as they eat together. He looks healthier, credits her for always caring for him, and asks about her work while Hallie conceals her tight finances and second job from the family.

During the call, Rio texts Hallie asking to “bribe” her to come over and help babysit. After her dad admits he always liked Rio and is glad they are reconnecting, Hallie ends the call and negotiates a month of latte deliveries in exchange for helping. When she heads outside, she finds her repaired car parked on the street and realizes Rio secretly arranged it by taking her key the night before. Embarrassment and relief mix as she goes to Rio’s house.

Inside, chaos reigns: Rio is juggling four kids—Taylor, Max, Navy, and a sleeping Iverson—while two have begun coloring on a white wall. Hallie steps in to help, while Rio jokingly defends his “fun uncle” choices and rejects a scary movie for Navy. They settle the kids with Moana, and in the kitchen Rio admits he bartered hockey tickets with his mechanic to fix Hallie’s car, leaving the key in her mailbox, though he warns it’s a short-term solution. Hallie genuinely thanks him.

They talk about how Rio ended up babysitting for friends whose sitter canceled, and he confesses to sometimes feeling like the odd single friend. When Hallie asks about his dating life, Rio says he has gone on many dates but nothing serious since their relationship, and both acknowledge their past love was real. Hallie dodges answering whether she is seeing anyone, and they return to the couch, where Rio brings her a latte and sits close, lightly embracing her as the kids doze.

Later, Rio’s friends retrieve their sleeping children. Indy invites Hallie to a family dinner the next night and reacts supportively when Hallie reveals she bartends nights, encouraging her to join when she can. After everyone leaves, Hallie gently extracts herself from a sleeping Rio, covers him with a blanket, and slips out, reflecting on how much she missed the easy comfort between them.

Outside, Rio catches up to her between their houses and pulls her into a long, intimate hug. Breathing each other in, they nearly kiss as Rio silently asks permission. Hallie stops herself, saying she is glad they can be friends, and Rio kisses her forehead instead. After she heads home, she steps back out to tell him she missed him too, cementing their mutual longing while keeping a fragile boundary.

Who Appears

• Hallie Hart — narrator; balances pride and need, accepts Rio’s help with her car, helps babysit, admits their past love was real, stops a near-kiss but confesses she missed him.
• Rio DeLuca — NHL player; texts Hallie for babysitting help, secretly arranges her car repair via tickets barter, opens up about his dating history since Hallie, initiates near-kiss but settles for a forehead kiss.
• Wren Wilder — Hallie’s roommate; heading to dinner with her brother Cruz and his teammate, teases Hallie about Rio, offers food and support.
• Hallie’s dad — recovering and living with Hallie’s brother; video-chats over dinner, expresses support for Hallie and goodwill toward Rio.
• Indy — Rio’s friend; picks up her son, invites Hallie to family dinner, is supportive about Hallie’s bartending job.
• Taylor — Zee and Stevie’s daughter; outgoing, colors on the wall, watches Moana.
• Max — Taylor’s best friend; suggests Spider-Man, helps settle in for the movie.
• Navy — Indy’s daughter; sensitive to scary movies, bonds with Hallie by holding her hand.
• Iverson — Indy’s infant son; sleeps through most of the evening on Rio.
• Luke — Hallie’s brother (off-page); cares for their father with his wife Sarah.
• Sarah — Luke’s wife (off-page); supportive, cooks for Hallie’s dad, helped prompt the family’s move to support him.
• Cruz — Wren’s brother (off-page); NBA player in town, meeting Wren for dinner.
• Zee and Stevie — Rio’s friends (off-page); Taylor’s parents.