Overview

Hallie arrives for the first walk-through of Rio DeLuca’s house and they navigate charged chemistry while trying to remain professional. They discuss design preferences, share nostalgic banter, and Rio expresses trust in Hallie’s vision, including planning for both selling and staying. A tense phone call from Rio’s father and a flirtatious moment upstairs complicate boundaries, which are further tested when Rio’s close friends drop by and invite Hallie to the game. Hallie declines and leaves after Rio’s awkward attempt to keep distance, reaffirming limits despite lingering feelings.

Full Summary

Hallie arrives at Rio DeLuca’s home promptly at 3 p.m., already anxious about working together. Rio opens the door shirtless under an unbuttoned flannel, and their greeting is laced with teasing and obvious mutual attraction. He makes her a vanilla latte at a well-stocked coffee bar he keeps for guests, which reminds Hallie that Rio has always cared for his friends. Their banter briefly turns intimate until Rio’s phone rings with a call from his father; Rio steps away, returning visibly tense.

While alone, Hallie surveys the first floor, noting the builder-grade finishes, white walls, mismatched furniture, and signs that teammates frequently use the space. When Rio returns, Hallie steers the conversation to design concepts. Rio asks about her music ritual from their past; he cues an old favorite song on his speakers, invoking shared nostalgia, then asks what she would do if it were her house. Hallie outlines a blend of traditional, mid-century modern, and organic modern elements with color, wall moldings, and cohesive storytelling. Rio says he trusts her taste and asks for designs that work both for listing the house and for staying.

When Hallie asks to take “before” photos for social media, Rio blurts that she doesn’t have social media, then sheepishly admits he has looked her up more than once. Hallie admits she has looked him up too. They head upstairs to see the bedrooms. Rio’s primary bedroom is stark and impersonal; one side of the bed is slept in, the other untouched. Rio says that, if he stays, he hopes the room won’t be only his someday, implying a future partner. Hallie masks her discomfort and moves to inspect the closets, but Rio refuses to let her open one, playfully restraining her wrists and pulling her close. The moment heats until she asks why he changed his jersey number, which makes him abruptly step back and dodge the question.

They are interrupted by the arrival of Rio’s friends—Indy, Stevie, Miller, and Kennedy—who enter with a key. Hallie is initially wary but then relieved to see they are all married and warmly interested in meeting her. The women invite Hallie to join them in their box at Rio’s game. Rio reflexively says Hallie can’t come because she’s busy, then backtracks and encourages her to go. Hallie declines, citing prior plans and reasserting professional boundaries, though the invitation clearly tempts her.

As Hallie gathers her books to leave, Rio presses about her Friday-night plans, seeming to assume she has a date. She does not correct him and reiterates that it is better not to get too comfortable during the job. She heads home, telling him she will email notes and next steps and wishing him luck in his game, leaving their renewed connection unresolved and carefully contained.

Who Appears

• Hallie Hart — interior designer and narrator; conducts the first walk-through, outlines her design approach, admits she searched Rio online, declines a game invitation, reasserts professional boundaries.
• Rio DeLuca — NHL player and client; flirts with Hallie, takes a tense call from his father, expresses trust in Hallie’s vision, asks for designs for both selling and staying, hints at wanting a future partner, invites Hallie to the game after initially discouraging it.
• Rio’s father — new; heard via a phone call that leaves Rio tense.
• Indy — Rio’s close friend; arrives with a key, warmly hugs Hallie, invites her to their box at the game.
• Stevie — Rio’s friend; part of the visiting group, extends the game invitation and mentions meeting before.
• Miller — Rio’s friend; jokes about Rio’s boombox and warms to Hallie’s banter.
• Kennedy — Rio’s friend; friendly and encouraging about the invitation.