Overview

After their disastrous daytime meeting, Hallie returns home from a rough bar shift and finds Rio waiting on his front steps in the middle of the night. Rio apologizes, admits he has been struggling with how to treat Hallie, and suggests they stop trying to be hostile. They agree to a tentative fresh start as “friends” and schedule a proper house walk-through for Friday afternoon.

Full Summary

Close to two a.m., Hallie parks outside Wren’s house after a difficult night bartending, still rattled by the earlier design meeting with Rio and a worrying call from her brother Luke. She notices Rio sitting on his front steps and realizes he has been waiting for her. Dreading another confrontation, she meets him in the driveway.

Rio, tired and subdued, asks if Hallie is okay and quickly says he does not want to argue. He apologizes for how their meeting went and admits he does not know how to be around her anymore. He explains he has only ever been one way with her, and now that they are no longer those people, he keeps defaulting to the past, which hurts but also feels nostalgic. He confesses he tried to avoid thinking or talking about her since moving, but her sudden reappearance brought everything back. He says he is still hurt but does not want to spend months trying to be a jerk to her.

The tension eases as they share a small laugh about his failed attempts at meanness. When Hallie says their dynamic is throwing her off, Rio clarifies that their work will not succeed if they continue as they have—not that he wants to replace her. Instead, he suggests starting over. Hallie teases him about hating her, and Rio firmly says he could never hate her.

They recreate their first introduction as kids, shaking hands as Hallie says, “Hi. I’m Hallie Hart,” and Rio echoes an old memory. The physical contact stirs old feelings for Hallie, but they keep it brief and professional. Rio proposes they try to be friends “for the sake of my house and your job,” and Hallie agrees, even though it feels wrong to her.

They discuss logistics: Hallie says daytime meetings work best for her, and Rio proposes Friday at three o’clock, between his morning skate and game, at his house. Hallie reminds him not to be late, and he agrees. As they part, they exchange goodnights; Hallie calls him “friend,” which makes Rio grimace, but they both accept the truce.

Inside, Hallie watches through the peephole as Rio lingers facing her door before returning home. She reflects on how much he has changed physically and how dangerous it would be to see him that way again, given their painful history.

Who Appears

• Hallie Hart — interior design assistant and bartender; agrees to a fresh start with Rio and schedules a Friday walkthrough; conflicted about lingering feelings.
• Rio — professional hockey player and Hallie’s former neighbor/first love; waits up to apologize, admits confusion and hurt, proposes starting over as friends, and sets a Friday meeting at his house.
• Wren — Hallie’s current temporary roommate/landlord; mentioned as the house’s owner and for leaving lights on.
• Luke — Hallie’s brother; referenced as the source of an earlier worrying call.