Overview

Rio spent Sunday juggling family loyalty and the pull of his Chicago life while avoiding his friends’ matchmaking. During a family-style dinner with his found family, questions about his stalled home renovation forced him to confront his past with Hallie. In a private talk with the women in the group, Rio admitted Hallie was his childhood next-door neighbor and the designer on his project, but refused to share details of their breakup. After Indy appealed to his soft spot and Hallie’s need for the job, Rio relented and texted Hallie that she would start the renovation the next day.

Full Summary

Rio called his mother on Sunday, fielding her playful guilt about eating, hometown Boston, and the hope he might join the Boston team when the season ends. He concealed the fact that Hallie is now in Chicago and on his mind, instead discussing recent games and arranging a future video call so his mom can share her Bolognese recipe with his friend Indy. Torn between his mother’s wish for him to come home and his love for his life in Chicago, Rio ended the call feeling the familiar pressure of family expectations.

At the Shays’ house for weekly dinner with his close-knit friend group, Rio joined Evan Zanders (Zee), Stevie, Indy and Ryan Shay, Kai and Miller Rhodes, and Isaiah and Kennedy Rhodes. While they ate homemade pizzas, Miller mentioned her new single general manager as a potential match for Rio. His lack of interest alarmed the group, leading him to admit he was pausing dating to avoid repetitive first-date small talk.

Stevie then brought up seeing Hallie outside practice, and Zee teased that Rio had looked at Hallie with clear history and emotion. Pressed further, Rio deflected, especially when Ryan asked about the start of his house renovation, a subject tied directly to Hallie’s involvement. Overwhelmed, Rio escaped to the kitchen to compose himself.

In the kitchen, Indy, Stevie, Kennedy, and Miller followed and gently pushed for honesty. Rio revealed that Hallie Hart was his Boston girl-next-door and that he had unknowingly hired her to renovate his house before asking for someone else due to their “sordid” past. He confirmed Hallie had pleaded for the project to secure a full-time position, but he refused to disclose what happened between them, protecting their shared history.

The women reacted with empathy and hopeful speculation about a second chance, which Rio rejected, insisting too much bad had happened. Indy then made a practical argument: Hallie knows him well and needs the job, and helping her aligns with who Rio is. Her words struck a chord, resurfacing Rio’s longstanding soft spot for Hallie despite the past hurt.

After the others left him alone, Rio gave in to that impulse. He pulled up Hallie’s number—obtained from Wren earlier in the week—and sent a decisive message: “You start tomorrow,” signaling that he would let Hallie lead the renovation.

Who Appears

• Rio — narrator; pro hockey player; struggles between Boston family pull and Chicago life; admits Hallie is his past love and designer; ultimately texts Hallie to start the renovation.
• Rio’s mother — Italian mom; urges him toward Boston; Sunday dinner staple; off-page but on-call influence.
• Evan “Zee” Zanders — Rio’s teammate; teases Rio about Hallie and notices his reaction.
• Stevie — Zee’s wife; identifies Hallie by name and prompts discussion.
• Indy Shay — Rio’s close friend; appeals to Rio’s empathy and argues Hallie should design the house; catalyzes his decision.
• Ryan Shay — Indy’s husband; asks when the renovation begins, adding pressure.
• Kai Rhodes — friend; lightly pushes a new dating prospect to Rio.
• Miller Rhodes — Kai’s wife; suggests her single manager as a match; joins kitchen talk urging honesty.
• Isaiah Rhodes — friend; joins teasing and observes Rio’s reaction.
• Kennedy Rhodes — Isaiah’s wife; physician; adds humor and sympathy during the kitchen conversation.
• Hallie Hart — designer; Rio’s childhood neighbor and past love; off-page but central; previously asked for the project to secure a full-time role; receives Rio’s text to start.
• Wren — mutual friend; off-page; provided Hallie’s number to Rio earlier in the week.