Overview

On Saturday night, Rio quietly arranges for his mechanic to fix Hallie’s broken car, reflecting on her anger and pride about money and his role in her hardships. His plans for a quiet evening are derailed when eight friends arrive dressed for a fancy dinner, asking him to babysit four kids after their sitter cancels. After resisting, Rio agrees, revealing his deep bond with his found family, and Indy hints he could call Hallie for backup.

Full Summary

Rio watches his mechanic, Frank, return Hallie’s car and leave her keys in her mailbox, having arranged an early-morning tow to get it repaired. He anticipates Hallie will be angry he took charge without asking, but he feels she needs a working car and recognizes that her refusal of help from him is rooted in anger over his past choices. As he reflects on a sleepless night, Rio admits he has focused only on his anger at Hallie and not on why Hallie might be angry at him for leaving and making her life harder.

Unsure whether Hallie is home or working a bar shift, Rio considers offering her a ride or his truck but decides to keep some distance, aware that it is getting harder to stay detached. Before he can settle in for television, his doorbell rings; his friends—Indy, Ryan, Zee, Stevie, Kai, Miller, Isaiah, and Kennedy—arrive unexpectedly with their children in pajamas, dressed for an exclusive dinner Miller secured through a chef’s request to collaborate.

They explain that the babysitter canceled and ask Rio to watch the kids: Taylor Zanders, siblings Iverson and Navy Shay, and Max Rhodes, while Kai keeps baby Emmy with him and Miller. Rio protests about handling four at once, but the group piles on encouragement and guilt, and Taylor’s affectionate hug finally sways him. He agrees on the condition that Miller owes him desserts and jokes about over-sugaring the kids.

As they set up a movie and drop off supplies, Kai thanks Rio sincerely for helping, noting how much the night means to Miller given her workload. After the others head out, Indy lingers, and when Rio questions whether this is a good idea, Indy reassures him and suggests he could call for backup. With a knowing grin, Indy points out he has a new neighbor, implying Hallie could help with the kids.

Who Appears

• Rio — narrator; arranges for Hallie’s car to be repaired; reflects on Hallie’s anger; agrees to babysit friends’ children.
• Hallie — neighbor and former love; absent this chapter but central to Rio’s thoughts; her car is towed and returned fixed by Rio’s mechanic.
• Frank — Rio’s mechanic; tows and inspects Hallie’s car; returns it with keys in her mailbox.
• Indy — Rio’s close friend; organizes the ask to babysit; suggests Rio call Hallie for backup.
• Ryan — Indy’s husband; helps make the request to babysit.
• Zee — friend present during the babysitting ask.
• Stevie — friend; brings kids’ supplies and explains what’s in the bag.
• Kai — friend; thanks Rio sincerely; keeps baby Emmy with him for dinner.
• Miller — friend; secured an exclusive dinner via potential dessert menu collaboration; the dinner matters to her.
• Isaiah — friend; joins the encouragement for Rio to babysit.
• Kennedy — friend; supports the ask and underscores the dinner’s importance to Miller.
• Taylor Zanders — child; wins Rio over with affection.
• Iverson Shay — child; present for movie night.
• Navy Shay — child; present for movie night.
• Max Rhodes — child; jokes with Rio about Spider-Man; dubbed “in charge” by Kai.
• Emmy — baby; remains with Kai and Miller, not left to babysit.