Chapter 14 Summary: Babysitting and Unspoken Feelings
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Hallie is home when Wren leaves for dinner with her brother Cruz and his teammate—apparently the same childhood friend Wren has a crush on. After Wren’s departure, Hallie receives a video call from her father. They catch up over dinner, and Hallie hides her financial struggles and second job. Rio texts her asking for help babysitting four kids in exchange for homemade lattes. She agrees, discovering he fixed her car by trading hockey tickets with a mechanic. At Rio’s house, Hallie finds him overwhelmed with Navy, Taylor, Max, and Iverson. They watch Moana, make popcorn, and share vulnerable admissions: Rio hasn’t had a serious relationship since Hallie, and she won’t answer if she’s dating someone. Rio falls asleep with his head on her thigh. After the kids are picked up, Indy invites Hallie to family dinner, but she declines due to her bartending shift. When Rio wakes up, they hug outside, nearly kiss, but Hallie stops them, saying she’s glad they can be friends. He kisses her forehead, and she admits she missed him too.
Key Events
- Wren reveals her brother Cruz’s teammate is the childhood friend she has a thing for.
- Hallie video-calls her father; he reassures her about his health and mentions he always liked Rio.
- Rio steals Hallie’s car key while she’s asleep and has it repaired in exchange for hockey tickets.
- Hallie agrees to babysit with Rio for a month of latte deliveries.
- She meets the four kids: Navy, Taylor, Max, and sleeping Iverson.
- Rio admits he hasn’t dated anyone seriously since Hallie; Hallie deflects when asked about her own love life.
- Rio falls asleep with his head on Hallie’s thigh during the movie.
- Indy invites Hallie to a family dinner; Hallie declines.
- The chapter ends with a prolonged hug and a near-kiss; Hallie pulls back, and Rio kisses her forehead.
Character Development
Hallie continues to hide her financial hardship from her family and Rio, though she accepts his help with the car. She shows her nurturing side when handling the kids, especially Navy. Her emotional walls remain up: she avoids answering Rio’s question about dating and stops the kiss, prioritizing boundaries over short-term desire. Yet she admits she missed Rio, signalling that old feelings are resurfacing.
Rio reveals a softer, vulnerable side. He admits loneliness as the single friend in his group and confesses he’s been trying to prove love exists since their breakup. His playful desperation for Hallie to come over and his quiet “I missed you” show how much he still cares. The forehead kiss demonstrates respect for her choice.
Wren appears briefly but hints at her own romantic interest in her brother’s teammate, adding a subplot for her character.
Hallie’s father provides emotional support and suggests that Rio’s absence was due to circumstances Hallie kept secret, planting seeds for future reconciliation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Second Chances – The babysitting night is the first time Hallie and Rio spend non-work time together. Both acknowledge the past was real, leaving the door open for a possible reconciliation.
Financial Strain vs. Pride – Hallie’s refusal to accept help contrasts with her relief when Rio fixes her car. The trade (hockey tickets for repairs) shows Rio’s ingenuity and his desire to help without offending her.
Found Family – Rio’s friend group (Indy, Zanders, etc.) embraces Hallie, inviting her to family dinner. The chaotic babysitting scene reinforces the warmth of this surrogate family.
Unresolved Past – The near-kiss and the confession that neither has moved on underscores how their history still defines them. Hallie’s choice to stop the kiss represents her need for emotional safety.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Hallie and Rio’s reconnection. They move from tense coworkers to genuine friends, sharing a domestic, vulnerable evening. The emotional intimacy—his admission about love, her admission of missing him—sets the stage for a potential romantic reunion. The introduction of Wren’s crush and the invitation to the family dinner expand the found-family network that will likely support their journey. The chapter also deepens Hallie’s backstory, revealing the burden of caregiving and debt that she hides from everyone.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hallie avoid answering Rio’s question about whether she’s dating anyone?
Hallie is not seeing anyone, but admitting that would make her seem pathetic compared to his confession that he has dated. She also doesn’t want to reveal that she hasn’t moved on, because it would give Rio too much emotional power. Deflecting protects her pride and keeps the conversation from getting heavier.
2. What does Rio’s method of fixing Hallie’s car reveal about his character?
Instead of paying cash—which Hallie would have rejected—Rio trades hockey tickets with his mechanic. This shows he understands Hallie’s pride and wants to help without making her feel indebted. It also demonstrates his resourcefulness and the leverage his status as a hockey player gives him.
3. Why does Hallie stop the kiss at the end of the chapter?
Hallie knows that kissing Rio would deepen the emotional complexity of their current “friendship.” She isn’t ready to forgive the past or risk the pain of another heartbreak. Stopping the kiss allows her to maintain control over her feelings and protect the boundaries she needs to keep her job and her heart intact.