Overview

Rio travels with his team after a New York game, anxious to reunite with Hallie, who is flying in to meet him. A call with his mother heightens his internal conflict about Boston and her disapproval of Hallie, but seeing Hallie at the hotel clarifies his desire to pursue her. He reframes their planned dinner as a cozy in-room “work meeting” date, publicly introduces Hallie to teammates, and stakes a protective, possessive claim. The chapter ends with flirtatious banter as Hallie teases Rio and slips into her room to change, leaving their chemistry simmering.

Full Summary

After a home-and-home game in New York, Rio boards the team bus early, impatient to get back to the hotel because Hallie is flying in to meet him. He reflects on the shift in his feelings over the past weeks—the anger fading and his longing for Hallie and their connection growing—while trying to respect her work schedule by timing their meet-up.

Rio’s mother calls, and he avoids telling her that Hallie is in Chicago, revealing his anxiety about her disapproval. She presses him about moving to Boston in free agency and coming to future games, while he deflects. Zanders interrupts to greet her, and a text from Hallie confirms she has checked into the hotel. After the call, Zanders advises Rio to prioritize his own choices over his mother’s opinions, prompting Rio to distract himself with music on the bus ride.

At the hotel, Rio spirals internally about how his parents’ divorce distorted his beliefs about love and fueled his past anger toward Hallie. When the elevator opens and he sees Hallie in the lobby, his doubts recede. He admires her appearance and resolves to find out if they can forgive and try again. They greet each other; Rio carries her work bag and admits he orchestrated the in-person “work” timing to see her. Hallie insists it’s not a date, but Rio treats it as one.

On the way out, Rio changes plans and suggests they skip the fancy restaurant for sweatpants, room service, and reviewing her renovation plans, recreating the intimacy of their old dates. Hallie agrees with a teasing reminder that she’s there to provide “customer service,” and he banters back, leaning into their shared history.

In the elevator lobby, several teammates arrive. Hallie hides behind Rio when a rookie recognizes her only as “the bartender,” embarrassing her. Rio becomes protective, corrects him, and Zanders backs him up by ribbing the rookie. Rio introduces Hallie by name, explains they grew up together, and that she is renovating his house. The rookie, Mason, tries to request more TVs; Rio shuts it down, signaling boundaries and respect for Hallie’s role.

Inside the elevator, Rio reassures Hallie his teammates are normal and jokes that the rookie has no chance with her. Hallie playfully challenges him, then reminds him that a kiss does not make her his. She slips into her room to change, leaving Rio in the hallway, their flirtation unresolved and charged.

Who Appears

• Rio DeLuca — narrator; professional hockey player; eager to see Hallie, conflicted about telling his mother and about Boston free agency; protective of Hallie and reframes dinner into an intimate in-room meeting.
• Hallie Hart — designer and bartender; flies in to meet Rio for in-person renovation decisions; embarrassed when identified only as “the bartender,” but engages in teasing, flirtatious banter and agrees to stay in.
• Mrs. DeLuca (Rio’s mother) — Rio’s mom; pushes the idea of Rio signing with Boston; unaware Hallie is back in his life; her disapproval is a source of Rio’s hesitation.
• Zanders (Zee) — Rio’s teammate and friend; offers blunt advice to prioritize Rio’s own choices; defends Hallie and teases the rookie.
• Mason — rookie teammate; recognizes Hallie as a bartender; requests more TVs; serves as a foil for Rio’s protectiveness.
• Uncle Mikey — mentioned; helps Mrs. DeLuca with household tasks.