Overview

Hallie visits Rio's room while he packs and accidentally overhears him masturbating in the shower while saying her name. Invited to watch, Hallie steps in and verbally encourages Rio until he climaxes, reaffirming their intense attraction despite their no-sex boundary. After a teasing but tender goodbye before his road trip, Hallie explores the once-forbidden closet and discovers a box containing every mixtape and CD she made for Rio and his old friendship bracelet, proving he never forgot her. The discovery shifts Hallie’s perception of their past and deepens the emotional rekindling.

Full Summary

Hallie reflects on trying to keep distance from Rio despite their recent closeness, wary because he seemed to forget her during their six years apart. She heads upstairs to get his opinion on kitchen backsplash samples while he packs for his upcoming road trip, and notices his previously off-limits closet is open.

Hallie stops herself from snooping when she hears Rio in the shower. Realizing he is masturbating and moaning her name, she is aroused and listens at the cracked bathroom door. Rio, aware of her presence, invites Hallie to come in and watch, reminding her their rule that sex is off the table.

Hallie steps into the bathroom and watches Rio openly. They talk explicitly: Rio admits he often thinks of Hallie when getting off and describes memories of their past intimacy. Hallie encourages him verbally, telling him she wants him to come; Rio climaxes while maintaining eye contact with Hallie. Afterward, they share teasing banter, with Rio saying he owes her and offering to help her later over the phone, but reiterating the boundary against sex.

Downstairs, Hallie tries to focus on tile and hardware choices, but Rio returns dressed in a suit to leave for his trip. They flirt and embrace; Rio leaves her his truck, espresso machine, and the run of the house, pointedly including "exploring." He almost kisses her but refrains, and departs with his suitcase.

Alone, Hallie goes upstairs to the open closet. Inside, she finds backup hockey gear, old luggage, and jerseys from when Rio wore number eighty-three. She discovers a worn black box hidden on a shelf and brings it to the bed.

Opening the box, Hallie finds every mixtape and CD she made for Rio from ages eleven to nineteen, all scuffed and cracked from heavy use, along with a tattered embroidery-thread friendship bracelet she made him at thirteen. The items reveal that Rio kept and continued to listen to her gifts, contradicting Hallie’s belief that he had moved on and discarded their history. Overwhelmed, Hallie realizes he never forgot their relationship, mirroring how she never forgot him.

Who Appears

• Hallie Hart — narrator; watches Rio in the shower and encourages him; later finds a box with her old mixtapes/CDs and a friendship bracelet, realizing Rio kept their past mementos.
• Rio — Hallie’s former love interest and neighbor; masturbates while thinking of Hallie and invites her to watch; teases but respects the no-sex boundary; leaves for a road trip after giving Hallie access to his house and truck; indirectly reveals enduring feelings through saved mementos.